Brian Walter O'Meara

Brian Walter O'Meara of Iowa City passed away on July 6, 2025, at the University of Hospitals & Clinics with family by his side.
Brian was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended St. Edwards High School and then went on to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX from 1979-1983.
Brian played football for the Mustangs and was named Academic All American Offensive Tackle. Brian was part of the offensive unit that set the 1982 Southwest conference rushing record. He was all Southwest Conference offensive tackle and was inducted into the NCAA Hall of Fame in 1983.
Brian attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School from 1983-1985 and then went on to the University of Iowa Medical School where he graduated in 1988 with AOA Honors. Brian completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology in 1994 where he did research in esophageal motility.
Brian joined Gastroenterology Associates of Iowa City in 1994 where he served as medical director of the Endoscopy unit at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City. He practiced medicine until his retirement in 2013. Throughout his career he was known for his hard work, dedication and compassion.
Brian was a devoted father to James Ryan O'Meara and a loving stepfather to Lindsay (James) Steger and Casey (Adam) Massick.
Brian was known for his hosting. He loved to host kayaking and canoe trips on the Upper Iowa. Many a fun time was had by his good friends. He also loved winter camping all over the country with some like-minded adventurers. Brian was the one who slept out in the open, no tent for him! He was a huge fan of the National Parks and spent many vacations taking his family to explore them. His brothers spent summers backpacking with him too, when he was young and he wanted to pass his appreciation of them to his son. Brian was also a lover of the ocean. He was an accomplished scuba diver, as well as an expert with a snorkel. The British Virgin Islands and Culebra were favorite spots to snorkel.
Brian is survived by his wife Marika, his son James and his stepdaughters Lindsay Steger and Casey Massick. He is also survived by his siblings Kathy O'Meara, Doug O'Meara (Diane), Gary O'Meara (Mary Ann), Thomas O'Meara, John O'Meara (Helen), Edward O'Meara (Chris), Patrick O'Meara (Gina) and Margaret Sweigert (Carl).
He was proceeded in death by his parents Walter and Marie O'Meara and his brothers Michael O'Meara and Robert O'Meara.
Online condolences and memories may be made on Brian's Tribute Wall.