61 Year Old Gold Star Dad Joins Up, Headed To Iraq
Bill Krissoff holds a portrait of his son, Nathan, who died one year ago in Iraq. Sierra Sun photos/Emma Garrard
From a Union.com article By Andrew Cristancho:
There’s a determination in Bill Krissoff’s voice. It is conveyed with a calm cadence that cracks once with emotion as he speaks of his son, a Marine lieutenant whose injuries from an Iraqi roadside bomb couldn’t be repaired in time.
Now Krissoff’s Truckee office is shuttered. His wife has come to terms with his nearing departure. All that is left for Krissoff, a 61-year-old orthopedic surgeon, is to head to Iraq where young Marines, broken from battle, will be tended by his experienced hands.
Marine 1st Lt. Nathan Krissoff’s death, only a year past, galvanized his father’s determination to go to war as a healer.
At a time when most successful doctors his age are settling into retirement, the fit surgeon is making one of the most monumental decisions of his life and heading to war.
In his sixth decade, Krissoff, who could pass for 41, squares his chin and with large eyes looking at a point in the distance, proudly speaks of his son.
Fathers usually inspire sons into action, to achieve life goals. But in this family that relationship was turned upside down when Dr. Krissoff received news of his older son’s death.
Nathan Krissoff died on Dec. 9, 2006, in Al Anbar province. He was 25.
Now the fallen Marine’s father is committed to a mission, one that carries even more than the memory of Nathan. Krissoff’s youngest son, Austin, is also an officer in the Corps.
“Both my sons were hugely affected by the events of 9/11, and Nate was proud to serve in the Marines, as Austin is,” Krissoff says. “I share their views.”
So he is closing his Truckee practice, leaving his Reno home, relocating to San Diego and taking on a brand new persona, that of Navy Lt. Commander .
Though 19 years over the Navy’s official age limit, Dr. Krissoff will serve as a Navy surgeon for three years.
“My interest in Navy medicine,” Krissoff says, “was because they take care of Marines.”
Dr. Anthony Zissimos, a colleague and friend of Krissoff, says Nate’s death changed the Krissoff family forever.
“Bill would probably say that his sons showed him the light,” Zissimos says. “He is really going to another form of service.”
And why not be of service to the nation, Krissoff asks.
“We have a generation that thinks it is someone else’s responsibility. I encourage more older people to serve,” Krissoff says from his neat wooden desk on one of the last days he will spend in the Truckee practice he built over 28 years.
“He is an excellent surgeon,” says colleague Dr. John Foley. “Bill was doing sports medicine before sports medicine became nouveau. Before there was an Academy of Sports Medicine.”
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Having been a young girl and growing up in the Vietnam / hippie-peace-movement Era I can honestly and comfortably confess, My heroes have ALWAYS been “uniform - boys” …
Cowboys come in a very distant second.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:49 pmSorry about the son. Good luck and thanks sir.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 pmI have worked for doctors for the last 25 years . . . not very many as admirable as Dr. Krissoff, but a couple . . . I am aware of one orthopod in my community who is on his second tour for the National Guard now . . . they give up a lot to serve our country with their God-given skills - healing hands! God Bless doctors who serve.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:16 pmNot to minimize this awesome ‘career’ move by the good Dr. but, Damn, I tried to talk the USMC recruiter to apply for a waiver for my sorry ass a few years ago and all he did was look at me kind of funny like. I can more than meet the minimal requirements for re-entry into the Marine Corps except for the age thing bullshit.. I’m a tad older than the Dr.
God Bless Doc. Why to go…
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 pmAwesome. He’ll make a great addition to the staff, wherever he ends up. BZ to him and his hard-charging family.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:35 pmGod bless that whole family. I am grateful for their service and sacrifice in so many ways.
1st Lt. Nathan Krissoff R.I.P.
Dr. Krissoff thank you. You and your family are an inspiration to us all.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pmThank you Sir.. as an Army mom I find comfort in knowing such skill and experience is available to our service men and women. I just hope your services are not needed too often. Be Safe…
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:58 pmThank G*d he is going over to be of service to our warriors.
As G*d intended they should recieve the finest care for truly he have been given the gift to fix and repair the ravages of evil.
G*dspeed
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:43 pmPeople like this and Pat Tilman are my heros. They give up so much to serve a higher good and be part of something bigger than themselves.
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 pmGod Bless Him
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 pmDidn’t know they took guys over the age of 35/40, but Doc has it in him. Sorry for his loss, he is an awesome person.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pmThat is one of the COOLest thing’s I have read in a long time! Thank You SIR.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 pmNow if we can only convince Ron paul to do the same after he loses the election….
January 4th, 2008 at 1:46 amI have now added your photo to my collection of photos of the heroes that have sacraficed greatly in service to our country & countrymen. God Bless you Doctor, for helping our other heroes!
January 4th, 2008 at 3:18 am