Birney Dibble, M.D., 99, died at home with family in Eau Claire, WI on 3/09/2025.

Birney was born in Madras, India in 1925 to Paul Gladstone Dibble and Marie M. Larsen-Bjerno and lived in India until the age of five.  Birney attended Duke University on the V-12 program (Navy) and medical school at University of Illinois. He served during WWII and in Korea on the front lines.  After returning from Korea, he completed his residency at Cook County Hospital, Chicago.

Birney started his medical career in Eau Claire in 1957.  As his surgical practice grew, he became well known and respected in both medical circles and the wider community.  He served a total of ten years as Chief Surgeon (Luther and Sacred Heart Hospitals).  During his Eau Claire career he took his family several times to Tanzania, Africa where he worked in a mission hospital.  After he retired from his practice in 1980, he continued for fifteen years to volunteer his surgical skills in overseas countries that had dire need for medical care.  

Birney loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible in the family cabin in northern Wisconsin, hunting and fishing, and his beagles and labradors were important parts of his life.

Another great love was reading and researching and writing.  He wrote 8 books and hundreds of articles, a passion which he followed until the end.  He once stated that curiosity is the most valuable trait a person could have and lived his life by that credo.

Birney has been a member of Lake St. Methodist Church, Eau Claire for 67 years.  In addition to teaching classes, he was an avid reader and examiner of the Bible and wrote extensively about most chapters of the Bible.  His notes are available online through Lake St. Methodist.

Birney was preceded in death by his sister Elsie Porowski, his first wife Edna Baird Dibble (married 51 years), and second wife Margaret Mikelson Dibble (married 21 years).  He is survived by his son Eric Dibble (Robin) of Gordon, WI and daughter Barbie Dugan (Dan) of Morro Bay, CA, three grandchildren Shoshana Herndon (Andrew), Hawken Brackett (Lauren Bennett), and Sandor Dibble.  Also surviving are four great-grandchildren Lilyanna Herndon, Kennison Herndon, Sig Herndon, and Alice Brackett and two nieces and two nephews.

The family wishes to thank the nurses of St. Croix Hospice, the caregivers of Cornerstone Care, and most especially the faithful and trusted helpers Julie, Donna, Heather and others at Oakwood Hills Senior Living.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Lake Street United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held that morning at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of service. A luncheon will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to either Hope Gospel Mission, Eau Claire,  or Lake Street Methodist Church, Eau Claire.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.