Love at first sight leads to a legacy

Love at first sight leads to a legacy

Raised on a farm in Iowa, Robert "Bob" Spencer, DVM, graduated from Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971. Soon after, he moved to La Crosse, Wis., where he founded Hillside Animal Hospital in 1974.

As he was settling into the area, a family friend arranged a blind date with Robyn Wolf, a La Crosse native and Purdue University graduate who was working as an international flight attendant for TWA based in New York. For Bob, it was love at first sight, and the couple married in 1975.

For the next 47 years, Bob and Robyn focused on raising their two sons, growing their business and sharing their passion for travel. They enjoyed visiting many domestic and international locations but were always happy to return home to La Crosse. When Robyn began facing medical challenges later in life, the couple was especially grateful for their proximity to the high-quality, compassionate care available at Emplify Health by Gundersen.

Sadly, Robyn passed away in 2022, and since then, Bob has made several gifts to Gundersen Medical Foundation in her memory. His most recent gift was made to also recognize an impactful member of Robyn's care team, Lori Pedretti, RN, BSN, MASL.

The value of exceptional care

Robyn had dealt with rheumatoid arthritis since midlife, but her serious health concerns began in 2000. At that time, Robyn, who was in her late 50s, started to experience bladder discomfort that intensified with travel. She eventually had her bladder removed. The surgery required multiple specialists within Emplify Health by Gundersen to work together and meant that Robyn was hospitalized for several weeks following the procedure.

"We were so appreciative of the specialists' expertise and of the level of care given to Robyn," says Bob. "The interventional radiologists are magicians, and when Robyn was in the hospital, the nursing staff was so kind and helpful."

One of those compassionate caregivers was Lori Pedretti, RN, BSN, MASL, a care coordinator at Emplify Health by Gundersen. As a care coordinator, Lori supports patients who have multiple chronic conditions that require care from at least two specialists. In addition to her medical expertise, Lori helps patients navigate the system and closes gaps by bridging communication between providers.

"We considered Lori to be our guardian angel," remembers Bob. "Any patient balancing multiple conditions would be blessed to have someone with Lori's heart, skill and personality to help them with their care."

In 2018, Bob and Robyn were getting ready to leave for Florida when Robyn shared that she just didn't feel right. Lori helped the Spencers arrange an appointment with Robyn's primary care physician, and after several tests, Robyn was diagnosed with Goodpasture syndrome, a rare but serious autoimmune disorder that damages the kidneys and lungs.

As part of her treatment, Robyn underwent plasmapheresis, a type of therapeutic plasma exchange conducted by specialists trained to use an automated apheresis machine. From 2018-22, she also received dialysis treatments three times per week. Bob, who retired in 2020, accompanied Robyn to those appointments, which often took several hours. Despite the duration and difficulty of the treatments, Robyn remained positive. Her state of mind, believes Bob, was influenced by the kindness of the Renal Department staff.

When Robyn passed away in 2022, Bob lost the love of his life. Yet he is certain the care Robyn received at Emplify Health by Gundersen extended the years they were able to spend together. For that, Bob is incredibly grateful.

Lori, who worked closely with the couple, also believes that Bob had a great deal to do with those additional years. "I wish all patients had loved ones who supported them like Bob supported Robyn," says Lori. "She did as well as she did for as long as she did because of him. I feel lucky to have witnessed their love."

A legacy built on gratitude

In 2023, Bob made a gift in Robyn's memory to the Foundation's Renal Dialysis Fund because he wanted to show his gratitude to the Renal Department staff who cared for Robyn during dialysis. The following year, Bob made another gift to support the purchases of a dialysis machine and an apheresis machine in the hope that more people with conditions like Robyn's could be treated.

In 2025, Bob wanted to show his appreciation for all of the nurses who provided care to Robyn-especially Lori. His most recent gift established the Lori Pedretti Legacy Nursing Scholarship in Memory of Robyn Spencer Endowment Fund. The fund will support two $2,500 Legacy of Nursing Scholarships annually for any employee practicing in the Gundersen region who is pursuing a nursing degree at any level, including (but not limited to) licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), bachelor of science in Nursing (BSN) or advanced nursing degrees.

"My hope is that these scholarships help young people advance their nursing careers," says Bob, "and I hope that if they get to meet Lori, some of her class and skills will rub off on them. I also hope future recipients of this scholarship will be inspired by the example of Lori's impact."

In the end, Bob's gifts to the Foundation are significant for many reasons. They represent a heartfelt way to honor a loved one like Robyn while also expressing gratitude for her care. Additionally, Bob's gifts create a legacy rooted in love. By equipping the next generation of caregivers with the best technology and training, Bob's gifts help ensure that future families will receive care that may also extend the lives of their loved ones. After all, when it comes to those we love, every additional moment together is priceless.

If you are interested in learning more about starting a named Legacy of Nursing Scholarship fund to recognize a nurse in your life, please reach out to the Foundation at [email protected] or (608) 775-6600.