From Basketball Benches to the Brink of Death: Remembering December 7, 2001, When a ‘Widowmaker’ Heart Attack Nearly Took Me

Prayers do work!

December 13, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 8, 2026

Bob Maxwell recently shared a heartfelt post on Facebook, reflecting on a life-changing experience of a widowmaker heart attack that happened 24 years ago.

In the post, Bob claims that Fridays meant attending his children’s sports games, whether it was his son Brian’s hockey game or his daughter Lindsay’s basketball game.

But that week was different then usual; his kids were away, and Bob was home when he began feeling extremely ill.

Bob Maxwell Recalls How ‘Widowmaker’ Heart Attack Nearly Took His Life Years Ago!

Following the illness, Bob had visited a clinic, but at that time, doctors could not find anything wrong; his discomfort continued.

On Friday, while preparing for Sunday services, his condition worsened.

Fortunately, his wife Diana quickly took him to Monticello Hospital, but as he arrived, Bob collapsed.

He does not remember much after that, only waking up briefly while being transported by ambulance to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Later, after observation, Doctors discovered that Bob had suffered a “widowmaker” heart attack, a severe blockage of the heart’s main artery.

The damage to his heart was serious, and his chances of survival were slim.

Fortunately, Bob survived tha night, thanks to the skills doctor and his family’s prayers.

However, recovery was long and challenging, requiring months of rehabilitation and ongoing medications.

He now lives with a new “normal” but considers himself incredibly fortunate to be alive.

Bob calls December 7 his “second birthday” and celebrates it every year with gratitude.

He emphasizes the power of prayer, support from loved ones, and faith in God as key reasons for his survival.

His story is a reminder of how fragile life can be and how crucial it is to pay attention to one’s health.

Following Bob’s post on Facebook, Friends and family responded to Bob’s post with messages of support and love.

Many recalled the frightening time, expressing gratitude for his recovery and praising his strength as a husband, father, and grandfather.

Now that Bob survived the tragedy years ago, he seems to be inspiring others and living a life he never thought possible in the past.

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Nishan Dahal writes sports with a human touch, covering breaking news, athlete lives, and the stories that stats can't tell. Nishan believes every athlete has a story worth telling. With the goal of bringing those stories to life with honesty, heart, and a touch of curiosity, he shares his insights through PlayerBio.

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