Albert Joseph Mintzer M.D.

1931 - 2021

Albert Joseph Mintzer, MD

West Des Moines - Our very beloved Albert Joseph Mintzer, M.D., age 89, passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him on January 24th, 2021. Born December 2,1931, he was the son of European immigrants, a graduate of North High School, and went on to earn his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Iowa. It was there where he met and married the love of his life, Evelyn Sirota Mintzer, and on June 9th, 2020, they celebrated 63 years together.

Dr. Mintzer completed his internship program in Fresno, California, and his OB-GYN residency in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After serving in the Air Force in Kincheloe, Michigan, as Deputy Hospital Commander, Chief of Professional Services and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert and his growing family returned to Des Moines, Iowa, where he established a private practice in obstetrics and gynecology. While in private practice, he served as Chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Iowa Lutheran Hospital for over ten years. He retired from his clinical practice at age of 73, and served as a clinical instructor at the Gynecology Clinic at Broadlawns Hospital working with medical students until age 85. A member of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Albert also served as board president for the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center in Des Moines, IA, where he arranged for the family residency program at Lutheran Hospital to provide care and call services. Always looking to advance his profession through advocacy and innovation, he desegregated the maternity ward while serving in the Air Force and was the first OB-GYN in the Des Moines community to promote natural childbirth, husband coached childbirth and allow fathers into the delivery room, even during Cesarean sections. Of all his achievements, bringing fathers into the birth experience was his most personally gratifying. An avid reader, Albert enjoyed time with his family and friends, duplicate bridge, golf, and classical music and opera.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, their daughter Miriam Mintzer and her children Benjamin and Daniel (Hannah Herzog) Singer; Michael Mintzer (Alla Zaprudsky) and their children Gabriel, Clara and Maizy; Dana Mintzer Leman and her children Talia and Zander; and Joel Mintzer (Heidi Schneider) and their children Asher and Isaac. He was preceded in death by his parents Meyer and Belle Mintzer, and his siblings David Mintzer and Denise Hoffman.

Funeral services will be held on January 27th, 2021, at noon, via live-stream on his obituary page found at the funeral home website, www.IlesCares.com. The service will be attended by family only. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Albert and Evelyn Mintzer Family Medical Scholarship Fund through the University Iowa Foundation (www.ForIowa.org) providing tuition support to deserving medical students.

He loved us well and exemplified the values we strive to carry forward. He will be greatly missed, forever loved.