ROBERT “BOB” JAMES CREAGER, M.D. , 69, passed away on January 12th after a long battle with cancer.  He was born on January 4, 1952 in Laramie, Wyoming, to Charles William Creager, II and Elizabeth “Betty” Creager.  He married Theresa, the love of his life.  Bob began his career into medicine, which was preceded by obtaining his A.B. in biology in 1974 from Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude.  He obtained his M.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1977, where he also graduated cum laude.  He completed his internship and residency in family practice at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, AZ from 1978 to 1981 where he served as Chief Resident in his final year.  Realizing his dream for teaching medical students and residents, he began by tutoring medical students in Biochemistry and nursing students in Biology in 1974.  He went on to lecturing at ASU College of Nursing for the Family Nurse Practitioners Program in 1981.  This led to him obtaining his M.Ed. in Higher and Adult Education from Arizona State University in 1985 and so began his long career in teaching and mentoring medical residents through the University of Arizona College of Medicine.  Bob began his long and fulfilling career with HonorHealth (formerly Scottsdale Healthcare & Scottsdale Memorial).  While at Scottsdale Medical Center Osborn, he served as the Director of Employee Health from 1986 to 1995 and as the Director of Continuing Medical Education from 1992 to 1997.  He also started with the Scottsdale Healthcare Family Medicine Residency where he was the Assistant Program Director from 1981 to 1986, Program Director from 1986 to 2011, and with Honor Health Medical Group Mescal from 2015 to 2018.

Throughout his career, he practiced in Family Medicine at several hospitals and private practices in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area while often also holding additional professional positions at the facilities.  His real passion as a medical doctor was teaching.  His annual parties for his residents at his home was always the highlight of the year for the residents where he was also proud to see his son, Chase, and his band perform for the group. He was proud to see Chase become a counselor, Nick become a Nurse and Brandon advance to a Sous Chef.  

Bob’s life did not revolve around work.  To the contrary, family was the most important thing to him and he was lucky enough to have a loving and supportive family in his wife, Theresa, and their three sons, Brandon, Chase and Nick.  He was an avid golfer and you could always find him rooting for his Denver Broncos.  Darts and pool were always on the list of games for the Creager family, along with any board or card game they could get their hands on.  Some of the most important family decisions were made sitting around the Creager fire pit, just don’t mention fire pit Monopoly.  Weekend trips to the casino and playing card games were always a favorite pastime for him.  He will also tell you that he was a real, country doctor!  It was not until later in life that he found his love for cats.  Not all cats though, just his Bella, who dutifully snuggled with him until the very end.  

He was preceding in death by his mother and father and his brother, Charles.  He is survived by his wife, Theresa, his sister Debbie (Dave) niece Angela (Jason) Mother in law Carol, Brother in law Rick (Dawn) nieces Brittany and Shanda  and his three sons, Brandon, Chase (Aubrie) and Nick (Cherie) and his only granddaughter, Mila.  He was a surrogate father to his nieces, Jen (Tory) and Amy (Mark). The Country Doctor will always be remembered as the glue of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.