Dr. Fred D. Banfield, 76, died Friday, May 24, 2013, while in the special care of Season's Hospice after battling a lengthy illness.  Born in Brooklyn, New York on October 7, 1936, he graduated from Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, PA, Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.

Fred married Gilda (Jill) Lepone on November 26, 1960 in Moorestown, NJ.  After completing a medical internship in Allentown, PA, he moved the family to Alaska where Fred served his military requirement in the Public Health Service.  In 1965 he moved the family to Rochester, MN and Fred was the sixth physician to join what is now known as Olmsted Medical Center.  In 1980, he started the Chatfield Medical Center and in 1987 the Rochester Family Medicine Clinic.  He had a great passion for helping entire families solve their medical problems.

For many years Fred's life revolved around staying active and physical fitness.  Another great passion was racquetball and he was honored with inductions to both the Rochester Racquetball Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Racquetball Hall of Fame in 1988.  He loved to compete at anything. Whether it was racquetball, running, golf, or cribbage, he loved to "win".

He is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Gilda (Jill) Banfield, and five children, JoEllyn (Deryck) Jolstad of Minneapolis, Fritz Banfield of Rochester, Raymond (Jill Yavitt) Banfield of Winnetka, IL, Liz (Rob McPherson) Banfield of Minneapolis, and Matthew (Laurence) Banfield of Edina, 12 Grandchildren, Caroline Jolstad, Grant Jolstad, Merideth Jolstad, Brady Banfield, Nick Banfield, Henry Yavitt, Sam Yavitt, Neil Banfield, Grier McPherson, Charlotte McPherson, Ellie Banfield, & Thomas Banfield.  He is also survived by two sisters, Nancy (Ted) Feher and Jane (Don) Burney, both of Houston, TX.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Virginia Banfield.

A celebration of life Mass for Dr. Fred D. Banfield will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester, MN on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 10:30 a.m.  Visitation with family will be held one hour prior to the service, and also on Sunday, June 9, 2013 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials are preferred to Rochester Area Family Y or Seasons Hospice.