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Robert Stickler Obituary

Dr. Robert B. Stickler

Urbandale

Dr. Robert Brown Stickler passed away peacefully on April 28, 2014 at Deerfield Retirement Community, Urbandale, Iowa.

Bob was born in Red Oak, Iowa, on August 24, 1917 to Lois and Archie Stickler. After completing Red Oak High School, he attended the University of Iowa, where he graduated in 1937 with an B.S. degree. He then completed the Iowa Medical School, graduating in 1941. Afterwards he completed post-graduate training at the University of Iowa Department of Surgery. He interned at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. This led to meeting Dr. Lee Forest Hill, a Des Moines pediatrician, his lovely wife, Marion, and finally, their young daughter, Charlotte. He returned to Iowa City for residency but he didn't forget a certain girl. In spite of the war and Bob's entering the Army as a Major in the Medical Corps, he managed a 3 day pass from Camp Gordon, Augusta, Georgia, to travel to Des Moines, where he and Charlotte were married on February 14, 1944. He served in Europe during the war and after the war, returned to Iowa City for his residency. In 1950 he and Charlotte moved back to Des Moines, where Bob opened his general surgery practice and continued in private practice in Des Moines for the next three decades until retiring from active surgery in 1990.

Bob was active throughout his career, serving as medical director for National Travelers Life and American Republic Insurance Company, a member of the Polk County, Iowa and American Medical Societies, a fellow with the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, a member of the American Board of Medical Examiners, a member of the Iowa Board of Medical Examiners, a member of the American Specialty Board, a founding director of Iowa Academy of Surgeons and a director of the University of Iowa Alumni Association.

Bob loved his family, the practice of medicine, traveling, golfing at Wakonda and hunting small game throughout the Iowa and Missouri.

Following retirement, Bob and Charlotte moved to Deerfield in 2005. He enjoyed socializing with all the other Deerfield residents as well as keeping up with friends and family near and far.

He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Charlotte and their son, Rob, an attorney in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Preceding him in death was their daughter Linda Elizabeth, who died in an automobile accident in 1987.

Friends are invited to a reception in Bob's honor which will be held at the Deerfield Retirement Community, 13731 Hickman Road , Urbandale, between 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, May 20.

In recognition of the loving care Bob received at Deerfield, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lifespace Foundation, c/o Deerfield Retirement Community, 13731 Hickman Road, Urbandale IA 50323.

Published by the Des Moines Register from May 1 to May 18, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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Just read of Dr. sticklers death........I am sorry but it did remind me of many happy days on 44th Street. My condolences to all of you. Dona Niswander Willemsen

August 3, 2014

Our families have a wonderful history of friendship and I will always remember Dr. Stickler as a great friend to my parents -- and everyone who knew him.
Love from, Ann Levine

May 31, 2014

Condolences to the family and friends. Please take comfort in God's words at Romans 8 : 35-39.

Toni

May 13, 2014

My Mom (Patricia Lane Stephenson) just told me about this last night, she's a bit behind on the newspaper. Doc Stickler was one of my Uncle Pete Harkin's best hunting buddies. I treasure the time I got to spend with Uncle Pete, Doc Stickler, and Old Bob Reilly when we were out and about hunting quail and pheasant. I always found it a bit odd how a high powered lawyer from Des Moines, and a respected doctor would hang around with good old Uncle Pete...but all you had to do was hang out with Pete, Stick, and Reilly for an afternoon to know that they were cut from the same cloth. All good men, all a blast to hang out with on my Grandpa Ora Lane's farm. They all were anxious to have fun, and would take me along and teach me what they knew about hunting, life, women, triumph, tragedy, and how to be a great citizen and an all around good guy. They don't make 'em like this any more. Cheers Doc, I'm sure that there's quite a party and some tall tales being told in the great beyond.

Michael Stephenson

May 6, 2014

Many years ago, Dr. Stickler operated on my babies, one at 3 weeks and one at 6 weeks. Between him and Dr. Hill, we felt we were in good hands and I am grateful. My sympathy to his family.

Betty Osland

May 6, 2014

Tuck & family..
Thinking of you.. Bob was a great guy & you made a fantastic pair..
TIME DOES FLY .... (too rapidly)

Gloria (Hockmuth) Kiechel

May 3, 2014

My Dad, Bob Smithhart, worked with Doc at NTL for many years, and passed away in September 2013. I'm sure the two of them are sharing humorous underwriting stories over a cup of Kona coffee (my Dad's fave). God bless you and your family as you mourn the loss of a great man. My Dad had tremendous respect for Doc Stickler, and considered him a true gentleman.

Cindi Smithhart Ramaeker

May 1, 2014

Char and family . . . we were priviledged to get to know both "Doc" and you at Deerfield. You always greeted us with a big smile and a hug. Bob will be missed by many including us!

Frank and Pam Harrison

May 1, 2014

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