Edward “Buck” Peter Ehlinger

Obituary

Edward “Buck” Peter Ehlinger, MD, MSPH, age 80, a lifelong public health, policy and equity advocate, writer, teacher, mentor and a tireless and powerful public health metaphysician died peacefully at home in Minneapolis on August 5, 2026. Edward was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on June 22, 1946. From an early age, he recognized the challenges of poverty and the disparities in health and economic opportunities across the country. With a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, he decided to pursue a career in medicine.

Edward believed that health was about more than medicine, it was about people, relationships, opportunity, and community. He realized early on that in order to have healthy patients, you have to have healthy communities and that was the core of his teachings. That belief shaped an extraordinary career as a physician, educator, health equity advocate, and public health leader, but it also defined the way he lived his life every day.

Edward earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After medical school he moved to Montana where he completed his residencies in Shelby and Harlowton through the National Health Service Corps. Edward then moved to Hershey, Pennsylvania where he was certified in internal medicine and then to Salt Lake City, Utah where he was certified in pediatrics. Edward completed a Master of Science in Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where his true passion for helping not only patients, but the community began.

Edward and his family moved to Minneapolis, MN in 1980 so his wife, Sally, could get her doctorate in physical education at the University of Minnesota. His professional journey included leadership with the Minneapolis Health Department and more than 15 years as Director and Chief Health Officer of Boynton Health at the University of Minnesota. In 2011, he was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, where he served until 2017. During his tenure, he became a respected national voice for public health, championing prevention, health equity, and the belief that healthy communities are built where people live, learn, work and play.

Edward served as past President of the Minnesota Public Health Association, the North Central College Health Association, the Twin Cities Medical Society, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. He also was the first board chair of CityMatCH, a national organization for city and county health departments focused on improving the health of urban women, children, and families.

While his professional career was remarkable, those who loved Edward know that his greatest accomplishments were his family, friends and being fully present in his own community. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a caring brother and uncle, a trusted mentor, and a loyal friend and neighbor. One of his greatest gifts was taking care of his wife after her brain injury in 2009, showing unconditional love, support and care that allowed her to remain at home and live a full life until her passing in 2017. Edward was a longtime member of the Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community where he was active as a prayer leader and in their special needs program. He put his social justice and equity beliefs into action and continued to serve his community. He had a gift for making people feel heard, valued, and capable of making a difference.

Edward lived a full life where he enjoyed riding his bicycle, cross country skiing, pitching horseshoes (with friends and neighbors, as well as with communities as the Commissioner of Health), entertaining in his backyard, sharing meals with family and friends, eating more ice cream, and spending time with those he loved. Among his many accomplishments was completing the Deseret News and Twin Cities marathons, the Birkebeiner cross country ski race (1984 And 2022), riding his bicycle 75 miles (actually 83 miles) on his 75th birthday, and less than 2 months ago on his 80th birthday, riding an impressive 80 minutes while giving family and friends a tour of the bicycle infrastructure in Minneapolis.

Music and art were important in Edward’s life. He played piano, guitar, and bass and loved to lead singing with his family, friends, and as part of Spirit of St. Stephen’s. He even sometimes incorporated songs into his professional speeches and presentations, often accompanying himself on guitar. He was a long-time member of the Minneapolis Institute of Art and would often bring visitors and colleagues there. While at Boynton, he began a program of displaying original art works throughout the clinic. He believed that music and art were important parts of a healthy community.

Edward was endlessly curious, deeply compassionate, and quick to offer encouragement. His optimism, humility, gentle humor, and unwavering kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Even in the face of illness, he continued to advocate for public health and equity, and teach those around him about courage, grace, resilience, and gratitude. His poignant thoughts and perspectives on not only public health, but society and human kindness can be found in his Substack postings (Epistles from a Public Health Metaphysician) that he continued posting through this past June.

https://edehlinger.substack.com/

Preceded in death by wife Sally, parents Jerome and Margaret, brother William, and sister Jeanne. Survived by daughters Betsy (Scott) Featherstone, Minneapolis, MN and Gretchen (Troy Mayhew), Jacksonville, FL; granddaughters Emma and Hannah Featherstone; grandsons Hollis and Hayes Mayhew; siblings Ralph, Tom (Anne), Mary, Carol, Tim (Kathy), Joe (Suzanne), Rebecca (Mark) and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and extended family members. Edward is survived by his beloved family, who will forever cherish his example of integrity, generosity, and unconditional love. His legacy lives on not only in healthier communities and stronger public health systems, but in the countless people whose lives are better because he cared.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians and nurses at HCMC, the hospice team, friends, colleagues, and neighbors who walked alongside Edward and his family with such compassion and support.

Celebration and visitation at the Spirit of St. Stephen's Catholic Community at 5011 31st Avenue S. in Minneapolis on Friday, August 14, from 5-8 PM with stories and songs at 6:00 PM. Celebration of Life at the Spirit of St. Stephen's Catholic Community at 5011 31st Avenue S. in Minneapolis at 11:00 AM, Saturday August 15 with a visitation one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Edward’s name to the charity of your choice or Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) at https://hennepinhealthcare.org/hennepin-healthcare-foundation/hennepin-healthcare-foundation-ways-give/tributememorials

or Spirit of St. Stephens Catholic Community at https://www.spiritcatholiccommunity.org/donate/make-a-donation

memorial service

Celebration and Visitation

August 14, 2026

Spirit Catholic Community 5011 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA

Please join us from 5-8 PM with stories and songs at 6:00 PM.

Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/WfwtPvd2wVQ?feature=share

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services

memorial service

Celebration of Life Litergy

August 15, 2026

Spirit Catholic Community 5011 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA

Join us for Edward's Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior.

Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/XNwCGaWc_G0?feature=share

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services