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Bradford J. Stiles

1957 - 2019

Bradford J. Stiles obituary, 1957-2019, Iowa City, IA

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Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City

2720 Muscatine Avenue

Iowa City, Iowa

Bradford Stiles Obituary

Bradford J. Stiles

Iowa City - Bradford J. Stiles, 62, of Iowa City, passed away from injuries sustained in an accident in rural Iowa County on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.

Brad was born on Sept. 4, 1957, in Garden City, N.Y., and was raised in Smithtown, N.Y., by his parents, Jay and Lucy Stiles. He also lived briefly in Hawaii with his sister Jeanne, brother-in-law Bill, and nephew Jesse. Brad began dating Tricia Law in 1974, when they were seniors in high school. They wed in Smithtown, N.Y., on July 29, 1979.

Brad received degrees from Suffolk Community College and Stony Brook University, where he earned his Bachelor's in Biology. He was admitted into dental school at the University of Iowa in 1980, and graduated with his DDS in 1984. Upon graduating, Brad briefly moved back to Long Island for a General Practice Residency at Stony Brook before returning to Iowa City with his family, where he spent the remainder of his life. As an avid lifelong learner, Brad frequently attended Continuing Education seminars throughout the country and became a member of various dental implant groups.

In 1986, Brad opened River City Dental Care, which was originally located on South Clinton Street. As his practice continued to grow, River City Dental Care relocated to Pepperwood Plaza in 1996, and then again in 2000 to its current location at 1950 Lower Muscatine Road. Brad owned River City Dental Care up through the end of 2014 when he sold the practice; he continued to work there, providing "Smiles by Stiles," until retiring in 2018. Throughout his years of dentistry, Brad had a knack for putting all of his patients at ease, making sure they received the best quality care, and treating his staff as family.

Outside of work, Brad's passions included philanthropy, music, nature, and being around his family, close friends, and pets. He had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He loved to talk and share his vast wealth of information on every topic under the sun. When it came to life, Brad's philosophy was "More is better."

Known for his generosity, Brad sponsored numerous public service announcements that ran on TV and radio over the years. He loved to sponsor community events where local Iowa City musicians and artists were featured. Being able to give back was something extremely important to Brad. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Arc of Johnson County, and was recognized with a Human Rights Award in 1998. Brad co-founded the Iowa City Free Dental Clinic, where he served on the board and continued to volunteer all the way up through the final weeks and days of his life.

Music was very important to Brad. Among his favorite bands were The Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Brad also enjoyed listening to many of the local artists in town, whether it was Bluegrass Night at The Mill, or the Friday Night Concert Series in the Ped Mall. He had a love for tie-dye and wore it all the time, whether it was a bandana on his head, or his dental scrubs.

Brad loved to garden, and to grow plants and vegetables in his greenhouse. If he wasn't performing dental work on a patient, chances were he was doing some type of outdoor work. In 1998, Brad and Tricia purchased property near Marengo, Iowa, which included a cabin where he spent the majority of his free time. The day before his death, they completed building a house on the property that was to be a future retirement home and family legacy.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, Brad is survived by his wife of 40 years Tricia, daughter Jade (Robert Hubbard), grandchildren Rowan and Maliyah, and son Brendan, all of Iowa City, Iowa; siblings Jim (Marge) of East Quogue, N.Y., Sean (Cathy) of Lake Grove, N.Y., Patty (Wayne) of Milton, Fla., David (Michelle) of Smithtown, N.Y., and mother-in-law Dolores Law of St. James, N.Y., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, dear friends, and Godchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Joshua, parents Jay and Lucy, sister Jeanne, father-in-law Sherwood Law, and nephew Robert Baldwin.

A celebration of Brad's life with family and friends will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Iowa City Free Dental Clinic.

Published by the Iowa City Press-Citizen from Nov. 4 to Nov. 6, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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Brad had integrity. One memory I have is that I saw him after having a cap placed at River City Dental by a fairly new dentist. He wasn't happy about the cap placement and he asked me to have it redone at no expense to me. He said it was on the clinic and he was adamant it get replaced. I was impressed with him and his attitude towards his patients and he was such a good guy. I was honored to have known him for well over 30 years. Brad - Miss you!

Teresa Duling

Friend

October 29, 2023

I do know this that I won't ever forget Brad. Every year when we have that first frost, every time I walk into River City Dental, every time I hear the name Brad among many others. We always made the time to chat a bit because I at the time worked with Dr. Karen Snapp who had also graduated with Brad in dental school. He was so curious about research so I let him know of the current work being done at the UofI. She had moved to Chicago and had told him of her move so when he passed I let her know. I never met the family but he would tell me what they were doing so I knew he loved them so very much.

Teresa Duling

Friend

October 29, 2022

I was so saddened to hear of Dr. Stiles passing. He was infectiously charismatic and kind, I always enjoyed seeing him and catching up over the years. I actually refused to see another dentist when I moved out of state, came back to see him and family...which might sound crazy for anyone that didn't know him. I'm glad I had a chance to meet him. I hope friends and family take comfort in his memories, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Laura Duling (Jewell)

November 11, 2019

Our family of six was taken care of by Brad from when he first opened to recently when he retired. We followed him through each move and never gave it another thought as he was OUR family dentist from toddler age on up. He truly was gifted and cared to know each of his patients. I noticed the limp and we talked about getting the hip replacement since I had just gone through it myself. So much knowledge that he had about current dental practice and his excitement was contagious. We laughed at how much we had in common, same age, same year married, gardening, and the list went on. All of us that knew Brad will share those special moments that we had of him. He enjoyed life and his family so much, we are all just sad he was taken too soon. Our hearts go out to his family whom he loved dearly. Dan, Teresa, Jessica and James Duling, Michelle Schneider and Laura Jewell.

November 11, 2019

I am so sorry. I knew Dr. Stiles through his practice at River City Dental. Like so many other patients, I remember his smile and amusing comments, his easy manner as he went about his work, and of course his tie-dyed shirts. Everything about him seemed to say, It's all good here. And it was.

Jim Hill

November 10, 2019

I was so sad to hear of Dr Stiles passing. He was one of the nicest people I've met and it was a privilege to be his patient. His level of care and compassion will not easily be matched. It saddens me greatly he won't get to spend the many years he deserved enjoying his retirement home and working in his greenhouse. He will be greatly missed by all who he touched with his infectious personality and treated with his gentle touch. I know I proudly show my smile by Stiles!

Jane Ruplinger

November 8, 2019

We fondly remember Brad.

~Billy

November 8, 2019

Dear Brendan, I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts during this difficult time. Staci

November 7, 2019

Back in 1989 Brad didn't want me to leave Iowa City without him fixing my two front teeth. So I traded my piano for his dental work, and my two front teeth are still wonderful. Brad and Tricia were so wonderful to my family after my loss. They have always been like family to me. I wish I could be there to share, and I, Steve, and Scott sincerely send our love and condolences to Tricia and family.
Sheryl Christensen

November 6, 2019

My sincere condolences to Brad' s family.
Joyce (Taylor) Welp

Joyce Welp

November 4, 2019

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8

Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City

2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240

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Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City

2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240

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