Dr. Sidney Esensten

Dr. Sidney Esensten, life long twin cities resident and noted physician died of kidney failure on Feb. 7th, a day before his 83rd birthday, at his winter home in Rancho Mirage, CA. Numerous stories about Dr. Esensten have appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune since 1950. His home coming from the Korean War was celebrated by friends and family, and he was often cited in newspapers and books about his P.O.W. experiences. In addition to his 50+ year medical practice, he served as Chief-of-Staff for Fairview Riverside Hospital, and helped establish Temple Israel’s Camp Teko at Lake Minnetonka.


Sidney was born in 1923 in St. Paul. The fourth of five sons, his mother wanted him to become a rabbi. With the passing of his parents, he was raised by his oldest brother and sent to medical school. While a medical student, he married Gloria York in 1944.

Upon graduation from the U of M Medical School, Sidney was commissioned an Army 2nd Lt. and served his active duty time in Seattle, Kansas and Texas. Upon his return to Minneapolis, Sidney joined the Belzer Clinic as a young associate. In August of 1950 he was called back to active duty and sent to Korea as a Captain and commander of MASH unit. He was captured by the Chinese Communist army on November 22, 1950 in the North Korean Village of Unsan. Seventy-five percent of the U.S. soldiers captured during this time perished in the P.O.W. camps from starvation, disease and torture. Sidney walked across the Freedom Bridge at Pammunjon on October 3, 1953. Dr. Esensten continued his military service in the reserves, and retired as a Major.

He gave testimony to the U.S. Congress regarding treatment of P.O.W.s by the Chinese and North Koreans. In addition, he provided advice to the Army regarding recommended changes to rules of conduct for prisoners-of-war.

He returned to his medical practice at the Belzer Clinic, later known as the Fairview Clinic. He was very proud of the fact that throughout his career he delivered over 10,000 babies. He often spoke to medical groups about diseases and conditions he encountered as a P.O.W. In addition, he took every opportunity to speak with groups and share his experiences with Communism and how it was really practiced.

As an active member of Temple Israel, Sidney made a bold commitment to youth when, in 1965, he and several others funded the purchase of a large Boy Scout camp on Lake Minnetonka, now known as Camp Teko.

Dr. Esensten is survived by his wife Gloria of 61 years, his brother, Jack, three sons, William, Richard and Tom, and their wives, and four grandchildren, Jeremy, Jennie, Joseph, and Benjamin. Funeral services are planned for SUNDAY, FEB. 12, 2006, 1:00 PM, at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Ave. S., Minneapolis. Colleagues, patients and friends are invited to the Temple service. Memorials are preferred to the Temple Israel Camp Teko Playground Fund. SHIVA will be at 6400 York Ave. S., Edina in the community room, Sunday & Monday evenings at 7 PM.

Posted by: Sara