Seuk Bong Kang, M.D.

SEUK BONG KANG, MD

Born: 1941 | Died: 2026

At home, surrounded by his loving wife and children, Seuk Bong Kang (“Bong”) passed peacefully on May 21, 2026. He lived a remarkable life—one shaped by hardship, tenacity, compassion, and curiosity. Through it all, he carried himself with humility and grace.

Born in China to Il Joong Kang and Pan Im Lee, far from their native Korea, Kang entered the world during the turmoil of World War II. Later, he returned to Korea with his parents and survived the devastation of the Korean War. Even amid starvation and trauma, his hunger for learning never faded; it placed him in classes with older students and set the course for the life that followed. A voracious reader, he learned English so he could read books otherwise unavailable to him. He graduated first in his secondary school class and achieved a perfect score on the college admission exam; his school still bears a plaque honoring that achievement and encouraging students to invest in their education. He would go on to graduate at the top of his class at Kyungpook Medical School, earning the opportunity to complete his medical residency in the United States.

When he arrived in America in 1965, he had only the clothes he was wearing and the fifty dollars his parents could afford to give him. “It was a start,” he would say. From there, he completed his internship at Ravenswood Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, and his anesthesia residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1967, he met and married the love of his life, Rita (Himmelmann). Together, Bong and Rita built a life together spanning 59 years marked by love, loss, success, and setbacks. He made every decision with her best interests in mind. They traveled the world and visited many of the places he had read about and hoped to experience.

In 1971, the family moved to the Coulee Region, where Dr. Kang would serve at Gundersen Clinic for 46 years. Over the course of his career, he cared for thousands of people across the tri-state area and earned a reputation for exacting standards and exceptional care. To him, every patient deserved the best. In 2003, he had the privilege of leading the new Outpatient Surgery Team. He advocated for nurses and support staff and, as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, helped educate residents, medical students, nurses, and other health care professionals. He also devoted time to clinical research and innovation, especially in spinal anesthesia and blocks aimed at easing patients’ pain and expediting recovery.

He found joy in tennis and later in golf, especially in the company of his golf group. A member of the La Crosse Country Club, he celebrated a hole-in-one in 2008. Poker was another pleasure, as was the camaraderie of his poker groups. Through friendships, he had many adventures goose hunting, fishing, and whitewater rafting. His dry humor often surprised and delighted those he encountered. He loved basketball, both college and professional, and cheered for the Badgers every year alongside his children.

His legacy lives on in the hearts and actions of his three children, Rana (Eric Ernst), Derek (Sung-Hae), and Ian (Kristin). He urged them to chase their dreams and to invest in themselves through education and hard work. By his example, he inspired each of them to do their best, challenge themselves, and embrace life.

Nothing brought Bong greater joy than his five grandchildren—Madison (Jonathan Shenkman) and Nathaniel Ernst, Ryon and Evan Kang, and Xavier Kang. Their photos, drawings, and writing filled his home. Whenever he spoke of them, his usually stoic expression immediately brightened. He sponsored vacations for the whole family and deeply treasured the experiences they shared.

The Kang family extends its deep gratitude to Emplify Health and to the dozens of caregivers and team members who supported Bong and his family throughout this journey. They are especially grateful to Dr. Michael Olejabi, Kelly Lay, Maggie, and the entire Oncology team. The family also wishes to recognize the outstanding care provided by Dr. Arick Sabin (Infectious Disease), Dr. John J. Conzemius and team (Primary Care), Dr. Marcus Crosby and team (Radiation Oncology), Dr. Kamel Gharaibeh, Kelly, Hayley, and the entire Interventional Pulmonary team, Dr. Michael Case and Dr. Courtney Tipton (Otolaryngology), and the entire Emergency Department team. They are likewise deeply thankful for the compassion, support, and care of the Hospice team (Scott, Ashley, Nikki, Jennifer, and Jessi).

A service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI on June 20 at 11am followed by a Celebration of Life at the Radisson Hotel from 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to The Gundersen Foundation or to a charitable organization of the donor’s choosing.