John Robert Gates

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Gates John Robert Gates, MD, age 54, of North Oaks, MN, passed away on September 28, 2005, at the N.C. Little Hospice in Edina, MN, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rita Meyer, his beloved and devoted wife of 15 years, was at his side. Dr. Gates was born on March 29, 1951, in Trenton, NJ. As a young man, he was identified as an academically talented student by A Better Chance (ABC), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping talented youth from the inner city. He was awarded entrance to a private college prep school and then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University. Dr. Gates completed his medical internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School, earning the Benjamin Shapiro Award for Most Outstanding Neurology Resident. Dr. Gates co-founded Minnesota Epilepsy Group, PA. in St. Paul, MN, and grew the practice into a world-renowned, comprehensive epilepsy treatment center. He authored hundreds of publications in his area of expertise and enjoyed a national and international reputation as an outstanding lecturer and teacher. He held many influential professional appointments and was a champion of medical research and development. Just before his death, the American Epilepsy Society awarded him the prestigious J. Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care. He was beloved by his patients both for his brilliance in epilepsy and his warm and compassionate heart. His interests included flying, fishing, sailing, hiking, Celtic literature, and movies of all kinds. He was renowned for his big heart, his ready humor and quick wit, his endless devotion to his family and friends, his inveterate commitment to his profession, and the betterment of the lives of those with epilepsy. We will miss his warm touch, big hugs, and his enthusiasm and passionate zeal for living life to the fullest. John is survived by his wife Rita Meyer; his children, Jason, Rachel and Stuart Gates; father and mother-in-law Leander & Dolores Meyer, St. Joseph, MN; brother Walter (Debbie) Hoag, Robinsville, NJ; sister Dawn DiBenedetto, Roebling, NJ; sisters-in-law Kate Meyer, Medford, MA, Helen Meyer, Edina, MN; brothers-in-law Dave (Debbie) Meyer, White Bear Lake, MN, John (Rose) Meyer, St. Joseph, MN, Jim Meyer, St. Joseph, MN, Paul (Chris) Meyer, Plymouth, MN; nieces Chloe Hoag, Jennifer DiBenedetto, Melanie & Jill Meyer, Lisa (Adam) Shulte, Rachel (David) Pikkraine & son Cameron, Erin Meyer; nephews Matthew DiBenedetto, Max, Alex, Jack Halverson, Jesse & Jason Meyer. Memorials preferred to Minnesota Medical Foundation, Dr. John R. Gates Memorial Award in Neurology, 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2030, or Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, John R. Gates MD Project Fund, 1600 University Ave. W., Suite 205, St. Paul, MN 55104. Memorials also accepted to Minnesota ABC, Dr. John R. Gates Scholarship Fund, 8761 Preserve Blvd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, attn: Gardner Gay (612-850-6061). Visitation: October 14, 2005, 3:00-8:00 p.m. at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 Snelling Ave S., St. Paul, MN (651- 698-0796) and October 15, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN. Memorial service: October 15, 2005, 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN. Reception following the service at Radisson Riverfront Hotel, Great River Ballroom, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN (651-292-1900). Private internment at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Published on September 30, 2005