TAYLORS FALLS, MINN. – One of the hardest things in life is finding true love. Some never get to experience it. However, you can clearly tell from the twinkle in her eye, and tone of her voice, that is exactly what the late Dr. Bill Young shared with his wife of 64 years, Barbara. Sadly, Bill (he liked everyone to call him by his first name, without the ‘doctor’ part) passed away in the end of November. However, his legacy will live on for many generations to come. That’s because Bill delivered approximately 1,300 local babies on both sides of the St. Croix River. Recently, we had the chance to sit down with his widow, Barbara, over coffee at her kitchen table in Taylors Falls to learn about this amazing man and all of the lives he brought into the world.
Bill grew up in Farmington, Minnesota. According to Barb, the two met when she was just 14 at a Methodist church camp in Frontenac, Minnesota. Barb said, “Yes, I was a kid. I was 14. And it was just instant. And then, he was older, and he was starting at the Hamline University in the fall. And I live very close to Hamline so I had an opportunity to you know, to keep up the meeting.” Bill ended up with Barb, marrying June 29, 1958. He graduated from Hamline University and received a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin.
Bill taught chemistry at Edina High School for eight years and at that point changed directions into medicine. Barb taught in Bloomington to put Bill through medical school and kept their three children thriving.
They came to Taylors Falls in 1972 and Bill practiced family medicine at St. Croix Falls hospital and clinic for 30 years. He was privileged to deliver nearly 1,300 babies during his career. In his community life, he served on the school board, city council and was lay leader of his church for over 40 years. He was also captain/coach of his college tennis team and played into his 70s. Golf was also a passion though his usual score was bogey. He loved to relax at the cabin on the St. Croix River.
Barb reflected more on Bill, saying, “He knew how valuable all co-workers were. He made the point of getting to know everybody and everybody in every department. He would know 400 people's names and what they were interested in. He also really enjoyed writing and sharing his poetry, including a two-page poem that he read for his retirement party that so many people still remember.” Barb concluded by saying that Bill kept a handwritten book of the names of each of the 1,300 babies he delivered over the years. Many of those in the book and their families have been sending cards and letters. That’s a great source of joy for Barb, she says, before she can be reunited with Bill once again.
