Dr. Robert J. Bury, 83, Bismarck, passed away June 5, 2026. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck. A livestream of the Mass will be available here: https://ecatholic.live/WHxYLvah2zpo1NR1t2UsGL8TUpD1czt2/channels/1/event/1717/public/view?signature=41a78f38a2ed27d78c82167cf5492c08e8461b37ce04448d2660af89738415cc

Family will greet guests from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck, A rosary/vigil service will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Private family interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.

Robert John Bury was born on August 4, 1942, in Webster, South Dakota, to John and Thera Bury. He grew up on the family farm near Bristol alongside his five siblings, Steve, Richard, Paul, Merry, and Lorna. On the farm he learned the lifelong values of hard work, humility, family, and a little mischief. From a runaway tractor knocking over gravestones to Big Ben the bull getting slung into the hay loft by a couple spooked horses, Bob's stories from the farm have become treasured family legends.

Bob attended Bristol Grade School and High School where he excelled both in the classroom and in athletics as a gifted four-sport athlete in football, baseball, basketball, and track. His father, having never watched a game before Bob played, drove the tractor to the football field to cheer for his boys. Bob attended South Dakota State University before earning his veterinary degree from Kansas State University. He practiced veterinary medicine in Fargo, ND, for four years; he then declared a career change to human medicine after one especially frigid January night treating livestock, during which he claims he observed icicles hanging from his armpit hair.

Bob married Redetta Balsiger in 1963, and together they shared three children: Mike, born in Fargo, Marla, born in Brookings, and Matt, adopted in Houston.

He attended medical school at the University of South Dakota and Baylor College of Medicine, followed by residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Houston, TX. After Dr. Steve Hamar called him nearly every day for six months, Bob finally agreed to interview in Bismarck. He joined Mid Dakota Clinic and became instrumental in establishing its Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. A pioneer in fertility care and modern obstetrical practices, he introduced fetal monitoring technology to the region and elevated maternal care throughout central North Dakota. Over the course of his distinguished career, he delivered an estimated 20,000 babies, leaving an indelible impact on generations of North Dakota families. He was respected not only for his medical expertise, but also for his integrity, mentorship, and the lip-smacking gumbo he served at the annual clinic Christmas party.

Bob met the love of his life, Jan, in Bismarck. They were married on March 16, 1988, in Kauai, Hawaii, and shared 38 years of marriage. Together, they welcomed their children Laura, Anna, and Nick. They blended their families including Jan’s children Nathan, Matthew, Jill, and Noah, and created a home where everyone was welcome, fed generously, and loved deeply. Their children’s spouses were also warmly welcomed into the family, though the sons-in-law had to first abide by his “Ten Commandments” or suffer consequences such as memorizing War and Peace or enduring surgical tattoo removal without anesthesia. Family gatherings were among his greatest joys, and he never missed an opportunity to prepare a feast, tell a story, offer advice, or simply enjoy the company of those he loved, even if it meant turning his hearing aid volume down amidst the commotion.

An ardent sports enthusiast, Bob was a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan, creating die-hard fans of all his children (again, necessitating turning his hearing aids down). In 2014, he fulfilled a lifelong dream, attending Game 7 of the World Series to watch the Kansas City Royals. Bob was also an avid collector of sports memorabilia, hunting down autographs from Greats like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Derrick Thomas; he loved sharing that hobby with his children, taking them to card shows and sporting events. The kids fondly remember football legend Len Dawson visiting their home and playing catch in the sports room amongst his own autographs.

Bob also found joy in cooking, hunting, fishing, reading, photography, and travel. He passed down Christmas traditions such as his wild rice soup devoured by all, and oyster stew only appreciated by those of us with more “refined palates.” He captured countless memories from his kids’ sporting events, photographing his kids and their friends as if they were also athletic Greats. He spent memorable days hunting waterfowl in South Dakota and Mexico, halibut and salmon fishing in Alaska, and serving as chef at Hutch's Lodge near Dawson, ND, where one overenthusiastic use of goose fat resulted in a fire and unexpected kitchen renovation.

In retirement, Bob enjoyed traveling with Jan, especially to Florida, attending his grandchildren's sporting events and other activities, and spending time with family. Above all, Bob will be remembered for his exceedingly kind and caring heart, quick wit, devotion to his wife and family, and lifelong commitment to serving others. He touched countless lives as a physician, a friend, and the beloved patriarch of a family that was the center of his world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Thera Bury; Nephew, Daniel Bury; and mother-in-law, Irene Reis.

His greatest pride was his family, and his legacy lives on through his adored wife, Jan; his children, Mike Bury (Tracy), Marla Bury, Matt Bury, Nathan Lindelow (Nicole), Matthew Lindelow, Jill Steinle (Justin), Noah Lindelow, Laura Knutson (Marc), Anna Stecher (Reggie), and Nick Bury (Breanna); his grandchildren Dillon (Sonja), Blake (Sarah), Jadon, Anthony, Robert Mitchell (Sara), Spencer Brooks, Justin (Krista), Brooke, Rowan, River, Sullivan, Sutton, Mayzie, Maysen, Edith, Mira, Otto, Ellis, Lennie, Finn, Oscar; and great-grandchildren Kashous Robert, Kai, Brooks, and two more great-grandchildren on the way! He will be dearly missed by his siblings, Steve (Fay), Richard (Jody), Paul (Kathryn), Merry (Wayne), and Lorna (Dan), and numerous extended family members, close friends, colleagues, and patients whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the University of Mary, St. Mary’s High School, or Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.