One of Rockford’s Most Beloved Doctors has Passed Away

Many people in our area were touched by Dr. Harry W. Darland MD. From his early days of making house calls, to delivering babies. He did it all with grace and love.

Dr. Darland is one person who definitely left this world better than he found it. He and his wife Karen never had patients, they were family, that's how every patient felt when spending time in the clinic. Ask anyone who knew them and they'll tell you the same thing.

His drawings helped children deal with their fears about going to the doctor. He even wrote a fitness book that he would write motivating messages in when giving it to his young patients. He was always teaching, always sharing knowledge. One mother who's 2 children were delivered by Dr. Darland told me a story of when he was performing her husband's vasectomy with her in the room.

He did it in the office and at first had me in there and because he was explaining EVERYTHING, I thought I was going to pass out and had to leave. He always wanted to teach people things and had so much knowledge of everything.

Besides his vast medical knowledge, Dr. Darland taught us about love too. A couple of months ago, we went on a search to find out what the story was behind the name "Karen" written in stone in the backyard of a house on the Rock River (as seen in the picture above). We had no idea that what we would hear would be about one man's deep love for his wife. Listen to the story told by Karen's son Jason about his mom and stepdad's relationship.

Harry W. Darland, M.D. - 81
5/1/1935 - 5/15/2016

Dr. Darland's visitation and funeral are both open to the public.

VISITATION: Thursday, May 19th 4-8pm @ Sundberg Funeral Home 215 N. 6th St. Rockford
FUNERAL: Friday, May 20th 10am @ St. James Church 428 N. 2nd St. Rockford

To read his entire obituary, click here.