Louis ("Lou") Edward Prebil, 98, of Ellicott City, MD, a humble patriarch of the Prebil family and retired health care professional, died peacefully on March 7, 2022. Lou was born and raised in Chisholm, MN in the heart of the Iron Range, on August 15, 1923, the ninth of ten children of his Slovenian parents, Bernard and Johanna Prebil.
Chisholm was a welcoming home to immigrants from many nations who found work in the iron ore mines. Living through the Great Depression fortified his "Ranger" mentality of resilience and determination. Lou graduated from Chisholm High School, attended Hibbing Community College and earned a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Lou and his five brothers all served in various branches of the armed services during WWII. Three brothers, Fred, Bernard and Stanley, joined the attack on the Normandy beaches on D-Day; two other brothers, Joseph and John, died in action in Italy and Okinawa, respectively. Lou's military service started in the Merchant Marines (his hospitalization with rheumatic fever led to a love of reading and provided insights into the vital role of coordinated hospital career) and culminated with service in the U.S. Army. After the war, Lou enrolled under the GI Bill and obtained a Master's in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University. WWII greatly affected Lou, but he never exhibited bitterness from his sorrows.
The mission of the Catholic hospital system is to care, both physically and spiritually, for the needs of the sick and the suffering, according to the principles of the Gospel. Lou fulfilled that mission with a passion through his decades-long professional career. He served as an associate administrator at St. Mary's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN and at St. Michael's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI where he directed the construction of a new hospital. In 1959, Lou took a hospital administration position at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rock Island, Illinois. He led the strategic planning, financing, design and construction of the state-of-the-art Rock Island Franciscan Hospital (now UnityPoint-Trinity Rock Island) and the conversion of St. Anthony's into a long-term care facility. He headed the multi-hospital system sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph, Minnesota, and later Eastern Cooperative Services, previously the shared services organization of the Northeast and Southeast Provinces of the Daughters of Charity. Lou also served as the Executive Director of The Washington Home in Washington DC. He was a fellow of the American College of Hospital Executives, held many leadership positions in health professional organizations and authored professional articles in the field. Following his first retirement, Lou enjoyed assisting seniors at the Florence Bain Center of the Howard County Department of Aging.
Lou became one of the legendary men of the greatest generation through his continuous expressions of love. Kindness, integrity, genuine concern and treating all people with the dignity they deserve were his trademark characteristics. He also had a very subtle sense of humor. Lou was a person everyone wanted to hug, because he was good, and they hoped some of that goodness would rub off on them.
He loved being a father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. After long days at the hospital, he spent countless hours throwing footballs, playing catch and shooting basketballs with his kids. Being the ultimate role model, Lou projected a quiet encouragement for all his children's activities. He was a proud, but never pushy parent. He enjoyed following the plights of the Ravens, Orioles and Terrapins; watching important games with his children and grand-children became a favorite pastime. Whether attending a tennis match, dancing at the wedding of a grandchild, celebrating someone's professional accomplishments or simply catching up, you could count on feeling loved and important when you spoke with Lou. He was the father everyone wanted and we were beyond lucky to have him for 98 years.
Lou is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Marianne Vidmar Prebil. They shared a deep Catholic faith, fervent love of family, dedication to country and a passion to help others.; children: Richard (Tricia) Prebil, James (Christine) Prebil, William (Lori) Prebil, Paul (Pamela) Prebil, and Mary (Daniel) Winicour,; grandchildren: Abigail (Thomas) McSweeney, Charles (Amber) Prebil, Sarah (Austin Weigel) Prebil, William (Angela) Prebil, Carolyn (Samuel) Noyd, James (Mary Kate) Prebil, Emerson (Brian) Bentley, Michael Prebil, Katharine Prebil, Madeline (fiancée Seamus Kane) Prebil, Ben Winicour and Rebecca Winicour; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Vidmar and Dorothy Prebil.
In addition to his brothers, Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Jen Frederick, Mary Huff, Alyce Freeman and Bernice Husten; brothers-in-law: James Vidmar and William Vidmar; and sister-in-law: Patricia Vidmar.
Chisholm was a welcoming home to immigrants from many nations who found work in the iron ore mines. Living through the Great Depression fortified his "Ranger" mentality of resilience and determination. Lou graduated from Chisholm High School, attended Hibbing Community College and earned a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Lou and his five brothers all served in various branches of the armed services during WWII. Three brothers, Fred, Bernard and Stanley, joined the attack on the Normandy beaches on D-Day; two other brothers, Joseph and John, died in action in Italy and Okinawa, respectively. Lou's military service started in the Merchant Marines (his hospitalization with rheumatic fever led to a love of reading and provided insights into the vital role of coordinated hospital career) and culminated with service in the U.S. Army. After the war, Lou enrolled under the GI Bill and obtained a Master's in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University. WWII greatly affected Lou, but he never exhibited bitterness from his sorrows.
The mission of the Catholic hospital system is to care, both physically and spiritually, for the needs of the sick and the suffering, according to the principles of the Gospel. Lou fulfilled that mission with a passion through his decades-long professional career. He served as an associate administrator at St. Mary's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN and at St. Michael's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI where he directed the construction of a new hospital. In 1959, Lou took a hospital administration position at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rock Island, Illinois. He led the strategic planning, financing, design and construction of the state-of-the-art Rock Island Franciscan Hospital (now UnityPoint-Trinity Rock Island) and the conversion of St. Anthony's into a long-term care facility. He headed the multi-hospital system sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph, Minnesota, and later Eastern Cooperative Services, previously the shared services organization of the Northeast and Southeast Provinces of the Daughters of Charity. Lou also served as the Executive Director of The Washington Home in Washington DC. He was a fellow of the American College of Hospital Executives, held many leadership positions in health professional organizations and authored professional articles in the field. Following his first retirement, Lou enjoyed assisting seniors at the Florence Bain Center of the Howard County Department of Aging.
Lou became one of the legendary men of the greatest generation through his continuous expressions of love. Kindness, integrity, genuine concern and treating all people with the dignity they deserve were his trademark characteristics. He also had a very subtle sense of humor. Lou was a person everyone wanted to hug, because he was good, and they hoped some of that goodness would rub off on them.
He loved being a father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. After long days at the hospital, he spent countless hours throwing footballs, playing catch and shooting basketballs with his kids. Being the ultimate role model, Lou projected a quiet encouragement for all his children's activities. He was a proud, but never pushy parent. He enjoyed following the plights of the Ravens, Orioles and Terrapins; watching important games with his children and grand-children became a favorite pastime. Whether attending a tennis match, dancing at the wedding of a grandchild, celebrating someone's professional accomplishments or simply catching up, you could count on feeling loved and important when you spoke with Lou. He was the father everyone wanted and we were beyond lucky to have him for 98 years.
Lou is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Marianne Vidmar Prebil. They shared a deep Catholic faith, fervent love of family, dedication to country and a passion to help others.; children: Richard (Tricia) Prebil, James (Christine) Prebil, William (Lori) Prebil, Paul (Pamela) Prebil, and Mary (Daniel) Winicour,; grandchildren: Abigail (Thomas) McSweeney, Charles (Amber) Prebil, Sarah (Austin Weigel) Prebil, William (Angela) Prebil, Carolyn (Samuel) Noyd, James (Mary Kate) Prebil, Emerson (Brian) Bentley, Michael Prebil, Katharine Prebil, Madeline (fiancée Seamus Kane) Prebil, Ben Winicour and Rebecca Winicour; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Vidmar and Dorothy Prebil.
In addition to his brothers, Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Jen Frederick, Mary Huff, Alyce Freeman and Bernice Husten; brothers-in-law: James Vidmar and William Vidmar; and sister-in-law: Patricia Vidmar.
Louis ("Lou") Edward Prebil, 98, of Ellicott City, MD, a humble patriarch of the Prebil family and retired health care professional, died peacefully on March 7, 2022. Lou was born and raised in Chisholm, MN in the heart of the Iron Range, on August 15, 1923, the ninth of ten children of his Slovenian parents, Bernard and Johanna Prebil.
Chisholm was a welcoming home to immigrants from many nations who found work in the iron ore mines. Living through the Great Depression fortified his "Ranger" mentality of resilience and determination. Lou graduated from Chisholm High School, attended Hibbing Community College and earned a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Lou and his five brothers all served in various branches of the armed services during WWII. Three brothers, Fred, Bernard and Stanley, joined the attack on the Normandy beaches on D-Day; two other brothers, Joseph and John, died in action in Italy and Okinawa, respectively. Lou's military service started in the Merchant Marines (his hospitalization with rheumatic fever led to a love of reading and provided insights into the vital role of coordinated hospital career) and culminated with service in the U.S. Army. After the war, Lou enrolled under the GI Bill and obtained a Master's in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University. WWII greatly affected Lou, but he never exhibited bitterness from his sorrows.
The mission of the Catholic hospital system is to care, both physically and spiritually, for the needs of the sick and the suffering, according to the principles of the Gospel. Lou fulfilled that mission with a passion through his decades-long professional career. He served as an associate administrator at St. Mary's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN and at St. Michael's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI where he directed the construction of a new hospital. In 1959, Lou took a hospital administration position at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rock Island, Illinois. He led the strategic planning, financing, design and construction of the state-of-the-art Rock Island Franciscan Hospital (now UnityPoint-Trinity Rock Island) and the conversion of St. Anthony's into a long-term care facility. He headed the multi-hospital system sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph, Minnesota, and later Eastern Cooperative Services, previously the shared services organization of the Northeast and Southeast Provinces of the Daughters of Charity. Lou also served as the Executive Director of The Washington Home in Washington DC. He was a fellow of the American College of Hospital Executives, held many leadership positions in health professional organizations and authored professional articles in the field. Following his first retirement, Lou enjoyed assisting seniors at the Florence Bain Center of the Howard County Department of Aging.
Lou became one of the legendary men of the greatest generation through his continuous expressions of love. Kindness, integrity, genuine concern and treating all people with the dignity they deserve were his trademark characteristics. He also had a very subtle sense of humor. Lou was a person everyone wanted to hug, because he was good, and they hoped some of that goodness would rub off on them.
He loved being a father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. After long days at the hospital, he spent countless hours throwing footballs, playing catch and shooting basketballs with his kids. Being the ultimate role model, Lou projected a quiet encouragement for all his children's activities. He was a proud, but never pushy parent. He enjoyed following the plights of the Ravens, Orioles and Terrapins; watching important games with his children and grand-children became a favorite pastime. Whether attending a tennis match, dancing at the wedding of a grandchild, celebrating someone's professional accomplishments or simply catching up, you could count on feeling loved and important when you spoke with Lou. He was the father everyone wanted and we were beyond lucky to have him for 98 years.
Lou is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Marianne Vidmar Prebil. They shared a deep Catholic faith, fervent love of family, dedication to country and a passion to help others.; children: Richard (Tricia) Prebil, James (Christine) Prebil, William (Lori) Prebil, Paul (Pamela) Prebil, and Mary (Daniel) Winicour,; grandchildren: Abigail (Thomas) McSweeney, Charles (Amber) Prebil, Sarah (Austin Weigel) Prebil, William (Angela) Prebil, Carolyn (Samuel) Noyd, James (Mary Kate) Prebil, Emerson (Brian) Bentley, Michael Prebil, Katharine Prebil, Madeline (fiancée Seamus Kane) Prebil, Ben Winicour and Rebecca Winicour; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Vidmar and Dorothy Prebil.
In addition to his brothers, Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Jen Frederick, Mary Huff, Alyce Freeman and Bernice Husten; brothers-in-law: James Vidmar and William Vidmar; and sister-in-law: Patricia Vidmar.
Chisholm was a welcoming home to immigrants from many nations who found work in the iron ore mines. Living through the Great Depression fortified his "Ranger" mentality of resilience and determination. Lou graduated from Chisholm High School, attended Hibbing Community College and earned a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Lou and his five brothers all served in various branches of the armed services during WWII. Three brothers, Fred, Bernard and Stanley, joined the attack on the Normandy beaches on D-Day; two other brothers, Joseph and John, died in action in Italy and Okinawa, respectively. Lou's military service started in the Merchant Marines (his hospitalization with rheumatic fever led to a love of reading and provided insights into the vital role of coordinated hospital career) and culminated with service in the U.S. Army. After the war, Lou enrolled under the GI Bill and obtained a Master's in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University. WWII greatly affected Lou, but he never exhibited bitterness from his sorrows.
The mission of the Catholic hospital system is to care, both physically and spiritually, for the needs of the sick and the suffering, according to the principles of the Gospel. Lou fulfilled that mission with a passion through his decades-long professional career. He served as an associate administrator at St. Mary's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN and at St. Michael's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI where he directed the construction of a new hospital. In 1959, Lou took a hospital administration position at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rock Island, Illinois. He led the strategic planning, financing, design and construction of the state-of-the-art Rock Island Franciscan Hospital (now UnityPoint-Trinity Rock Island) and the conversion of St. Anthony's into a long-term care facility. He headed the multi-hospital system sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph, Minnesota, and later Eastern Cooperative Services, previously the shared services organization of the Northeast and Southeast Provinces of the Daughters of Charity. Lou also served as the Executive Director of The Washington Home in Washington DC. He was a fellow of the American College of Hospital Executives, held many leadership positions in health professional organizations and authored professional articles in the field. Following his first retirement, Lou enjoyed assisting seniors at the Florence Bain Center of the Howard County Department of Aging.
Lou became one of the legendary men of the greatest generation through his continuous expressions of love. Kindness, integrity, genuine concern and treating all people with the dignity they deserve were his trademark characteristics. He also had a very subtle sense of humor. Lou was a person everyone wanted to hug, because he was good, and they hoped some of that goodness would rub off on them.
He loved being a father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. After long days at the hospital, he spent countless hours throwing footballs, playing catch and shooting basketballs with his kids. Being the ultimate role model, Lou projected a quiet encouragement for all his children's activities. He was a proud, but never pushy parent. He enjoyed following the plights of the Ravens, Orioles and Terrapins; watching important games with his children and grand-children became a favorite pastime. Whether attending a tennis match, dancing at the wedding of a grandchild, celebrating someone's professional accomplishments or simply catching up, you could count on feeling loved and important when you spoke with Lou. He was the father everyone wanted and we were beyond lucky to have him for 98 years.
Lou is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Marianne Vidmar Prebil. They shared a deep Catholic faith, fervent love of family, dedication to country and a passion to help others.; children: Richard (Tricia) Prebil, James (Christine) Prebil, William (Lori) Prebil, Paul (Pamela) Prebil, and Mary (Daniel) Winicour,; grandchildren: Abigail (Thomas) McSweeney, Charles (Amber) Prebil, Sarah (Austin Weigel) Prebil, William (Angela) Prebil, Carolyn (Samuel) Noyd, James (Mary Kate) Prebil, Emerson (Brian) Bentley, Michael Prebil, Katharine Prebil, Madeline (fiancée Seamus Kane) Prebil, Ben Winicour and Rebecca Winicour; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Vidmar and Dorothy Prebil.
In addition to his brothers, Lou was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Jen Frederick, Mary Huff, Alyce Freeman and Bernice Husten; brothers-in-law: James Vidmar and William Vidmar; and sister-in-law: Patricia Vidmar.
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