Dr. Brian Briggs

Brian Earl Briggs was born Nov. 22, 1929, in Minot, to Aaron and Pearl (Nicodemus) Briggs. He was reared and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1947. He continued his education at Jamestown College for one year before enrolling at the University of Minnesota where he received a bachelor of arts cum laude, bachelor of science and medical doctor degrees in 1953 and 1954. He served a medical internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minn., in 1954-1955.

Dr. Briggs married Constance La Vone Rose Greenhalgh on April 22, 1956, at First Presbyterian Church in Minot. They made their home in Velva where Brian was affiliated with the Velva Medical Center. He served as a medical doctor with the Navy from 1956 until 1958. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Velva where he practiced until 1959 when he became affiliated with the Great Plains Clinic in Minot. Dr. Briggs became a solo practitioner in 1961 with affiliations at Trinity Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital until 1978. Dr. Briggs served on staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital as secretary for two years, vice president for one year, and chief of staff for three years. For a short time in 1978 he maintained his home in Minot while commuting to Zion, Ill., where he practiced at the American International Clinic and Hospital. Then, he commuted to Minneapolis where he was affiliated with the Health and Wellness Center until 1982. He returned to solo practice in Minot in 1982 and specialized in preventive medicine until November 2011.

Dr. Briggs was a member of the following medical societies: NW District Medical Society, ND Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Practice and Medical Preventics, International Academy of Metabology, American Society of Bariatric Physicians, Academy of Orthomolecular Psychiatry, International Academy of Preventive Medicine, Christian Medical Foundation, AZ Homeopathic and Integrative Medicine Association, Great Lakes College of Clinical Medicine, International Foundation for Homeopathy, American Naturopathic Medical Association and American Association of Environmental Medicine.

Dr. Briggs was active in the following organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield board member, medical director of the Chemical Dependency Unit and Americana Nursing Home, clinical professor at UND, MSU medical physician, medical consultant for Vocational Rehabilitation of ND. He served as president of the Minot School for the Mentally Handicapped, North Central Health Association, Northwest Halfway House Association and Sertoma Club. He was a director for the Chamber Chorale, Red Cross, Mental Health Board for Ward County and Great Lakes College of Clinical Medicine, coroner for Ward County, trustee and elder for First Presbyterian Church, Medical Advisory Board, member for the American Institute of Cancer Research, elder for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Minot and medical advisory board member for the International Academy of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine.

Dr. Briggs loved golf and music. He delighted in singing duets with his wife, Connie, and singing with the Minot Chamber Chorale. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.

His loving family includes: his wife of 56 years, Constance “Connie”; children, Tommie Briggs, of New Mexico, Diane (Jeff) Friesen, of Okotoks, Alberta, Paul (Janice) Briggs, of Indianapolis, Ind.; grandchildren, Brian Briggs, Kevin Briggs, Rebecca (Nick) Hueth, Gretchen (Robert) Kahsen, Ian (Doni) Briggs, Paige Briggs, Wade (Raechel) Friesen, Stephanie Friesen, Justus Friesen, Luke Briggs, David Briggs, Jazz Briggs; great-grandchildren, Elliot Briggs, Gavin Ulland, Brynna Ulland, Burke Friesen; sisters-in-law, Yolanda Briggs and Tina Briggs; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dr. Briggs was preceded in death by: his parents, Aaron and Pearl Briggs; brothers, Aaron and John Michael “Mickey” (Yolanda); grandson, Weston Briggs; and daughter, Lorene Ulland.

Celebration of the Life of Dr. Brian Briggs: Monday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Today, Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m., in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).