Patrick John Greenwood

January 3, 1946 - January 15, 2026

Patrick John Greenwood died on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a long hospitalization. He is survived by his wife Sandy (married 55 years), sons Dan (Jessica), Ryan (Brooke), daughter Sarah, and four wonderful grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters and a brother.

Pat was born in Detroit, MI, and moved to Des Moines, IA, with his family as he started high school. The Cuban Revolution occurred during this time and boats filled with children were arriving in Florida needing homes until their parents could escape. The Greenwoods welcomed a new son, Fred, to the family at that time, much to Pat’s delight.

Pat majored in economics at St. Olaf but became interested in medicine late in his senior year. He spent the following summer taking catch up science classes so he could start Medical School at the University of Iowa that fall. His sister transferred to the University that year which changed Pat’s life. His sister, Ann, met a girl in the dorm who was a new graduate student and thought Pat should get to know her. Her name was Sandy and the rest is history.

Following medical school, Pat and Sandy moved to Charleston, SC, for Pat’s family medicine residency where they made lifelong friends and through the years continued to make frequent visits to that beautiful area.

With parents in Iowa and South Dakota, the Midwest beckoned them back. Pat had interviews arranged in a number of clinics but had a little time to spare and stopped at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce to learn more about the clinic. Ted Ringhofer drove them to the clinic, got Dr. Olson out of an exam room for a quick conversation, and gave Pat a peppermint. That sealed the deal.

Family medicine was a perfect fit for Pat. He loved caring for families, delivering a lot of babies as his own family was expanding, and caring for individuals as they aged along with him. Pat was Board Certified in Family Medicine as well as in Insurance Medicine. He served time as Medical Director of the Owatonna Clinic, and also as Medical Director of Federated Insurance. He was on the clinical faculty at the University of Minnesota in the Rural Physicians Associates Program and was a preceptor at the Mayo Medical School Department of Family Medicine. Pat enjoyed playing French horn in the Community Band, he loved canoe racing, bike riding, cross country skiing, and swimming. He was also active in the community, serving on the Steering Committee of the Owatonna Hospital Foundation, as well as the School District 761 Foundation Committee, and active in Rotary participating in a Rotary Exchange in Brazil. Following a heart attack, which occurred while he was working in the Emergency Room, it became clear that he could no longer keep up with the intense long days and he resigned from clinical practice.

The next chapter in his life started soon after as he began to interview all of the living physicians who had worked at Owatonna Clinic. He spent many hours with each individual and these interviews turned into presentations at the Steele County History Center where family members and former patients had the opportunity to learn more about the lives of the physicians who had cared for them.

Pat saw the good in everyone he met and was always fascinated by their personal stories. He knew how to have fun and handled challenges with grace and empathy, both professionally and personally. He was a loving, caring and devoted father, husband, friend and physician. We were privileged to have had him in our lives.

The memorial service for Pat will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 24, 2026, at The Associated Church in Owatonna. Friends may greet the family 1.5 hours prior to the funeral at church starting at 9:30 AM. Lunch at the History Center (1700 Austin Road, Owatonna) will follow the service.

Memorials may be directed to District 761 Foundation (Owatonna Public Schools), Health Finders Collaborative (134 Southview, Owatonna) or The Associated Church, (800 Havana Road, Owatonna).