Frank Hook

Dr. William Franklin “Frank” Hook, 89, passed away on October 30, 2024 in Escanaba, Michigan surrounded by his family at OSF St. Francis Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, Nov. 14, Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, with Pastor Mark Narum officiating. 

Interment with military honors will follow at 1:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Frank was born in Williston, ND on May 26, 1935, son of Charles Ellis and Ann (Franklin) Hook. He was raised in Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School, Stanford University and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. He interned at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Pensacola, FL and served in the U.S. Navy until 1964. Frank practiced Family Medicine in Bismarck at the Q & R Clinic until completing his residency there. He attained a fellowship in Washington, D.C. at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. He practiced Radiology in Bismarck and Mandan, ND for most of his career.

Dr. Hook served as Chief of Radiology of Bismarck and Mandan hospitals in the 1970’s and on the consulting staffs of several N.D. and S.D. hospitals. He served as clinical associate professor of Radiology at UND from 1970 until his retirement. Dr. Hook was also the author of numerous professional articles, textbooks and historical books, and is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Science and Medicine, and Who’s Who in the World.

Between 1981-83 he served as a staff radiologist with Methodist Hospitals in Dallas, TX. He returned to Bismarck in the fall of 1983 and practiced with MedCenter One until his partial retirement in 1998. He served as a consulting radiologist to various hospitals and practices until his full retirement in 2019. He was certified by the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. A member of many medical associations, he earned the American Medical Association’s Physician Recognition award seven times.

Always an active athlete, Frank was an AP ND All-State football player in 1952 and played on the 1953 ND State Basketball Championship Team. He earned a full athletic scholarship to Stanford University, in Palo Alto, CA and played junior varsity and varsity football for the Indians (now Cardinal).

Dr. Hook also had a long and distinguished military career. In addition to his Navy service, Colonel Hook also commanded the 311th Evac Hospital during the Persian Gulf War, deployed to the United Arab Emirates during the conflict. His military awards include the National Defense Service Ribbon with clusters, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (Desert Storm), Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Saudi Government), Kuwait Liberation Medal among other medals and ribbons. Colonel Hook belonged to the American Legion and was a lifetime member of the VFW.

Dr. Hook is survived by his sons, Dr. William C. (Deborah) Hook, of Escanaba, MI, and Paul F. Hook, of Mill City, OR; daughter, Kari A. (Jason) Jacobson, of Salt Lake City, UT; grandchildren, Stephen Hook, Rachel (Justin) Store, Sarah Hook, Jonathon Hook, Christopher Hook, Mary Hook, Peter Thomas Hook, Jakob Hook, Leif Jacobson and Liam Jacobson; great-grandchildren Emma Store and Neil Store with one more expected to arrive in March; sister, Patrica Karlgaard; along with many loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Frank was preceded in death by his son, Christopher P. Hook; parents; niece, Liz (Karlgaard) Keith; and brother-in-law, Richard E. “Dick” Karlgaard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank’s name may be directed to Sanford Hospital Foundation, 1601 N. 12th St., Suite 500. Bismarck, ND, 58501, or OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group Foundation, 3401 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829.