Albert Marvin Cooley III

Albert Marvin “Marv” Cooley, 81, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at home on April 10, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Marv was born on August 17, 1944, in Grand Forks to Albert and Margaret (Fosmark) Cooley. He graduated from Central High School in 1962, where he enjoyed playing baseball and hockey. He was a proud member of the school’s first state championship hockey team. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota, where he played baseball for three years alongside his younger brother, Alex.

Marv attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, completing his Bachelor of Science in Medicine, followed by clinical training at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois and graduating with his Medical Doctorate in 1971. He went on to complete an internship at the University of Tennessee before returning to Grand Forks to finish his residency in pathology at the University of North Dakota. It was during this time in 1974 that he met his wife, Bev (Gravseth), at the downtown YMCA. They married in June of 1977. He spent the following two years fulfilling his military obligation as a Major in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, serving as a staff pathologist.

Marv returned home to Grand Forks, where he built a long and dedicated career in medicine. He worked at Altru Hospital (formerly United Hospital) from 1978 to 2018, most notably as Medical Director of the Dak-Minn Blood Bank, and Director of the Laboratory. He was also a valued member of the faculty at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences from 1978 to 2015, serving as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology for several years. He was deeply committed to medicine and teaching future generations of physicians and health professionals.

One of Marv‘s many hobbies included playing handball, winning several state championships and developing friendships that would last a lifetime. Marv cherished time spent with family and friends, especially during summers and his retirement years in Sioux Narrows, Ontario on Lake of the Woods. He loved watching his sons compete in sports, rarely missing a game over the years!

He is survived by his beloved wife, Bev; his three sons, Matt (Hital) in Brunswick, Maryland; Sean (Hanna) in Stillwater, Minnesota; and Jake (Jess) in Madison, Wisconsin; and his four grandchildren, Ian, Evelyn, Emma, and Cooper and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Margaret Cooley, in-laws Erling and Martha Gravseth, and his brother, Alex.

A service will be held at Sharon Lutheran Church (1720 S 20th St, Grand Forks, ND) on May 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will be held an hour prior to services. 

In Lieu Of Flowers, donations may be made to the Med School annual excellence fund or the Albert Cooley Engineering scholarship, or a charity of choice. Links for making a donation along with designation information can be found below.

UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences Annual Excellence Fund

- Designation: School of Medicine and Health Sciences Annual Excellence Fund

Albert Cooley Memorial Chemical Engineering Scholarship

- Designation: Albert Cooley Memorial Chemical Engineering Scholarship

Yee Han Chu Ph.D., M.S.S.W.

Academic Support and Fellowship Opportunities Coordinator

P 701.777.4436