Dr. Martin David Sokoll

1932 - 2021

DR. MARTIN DAVID SOKOLL Iowa City Dr. Martin David Sokoll, 88, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away July 1, 2021, at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 3 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3000 12th Ave., Coralville, Iowa, with Father Chuck Adam officiating. Visitation will be held at the church before Mass at 2 to 3 p.m. Private burial will be held in Ohio at a later date. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend, and a link can be found on Martin's obituary page at www.lenisngfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Martin David was born Oct. 14, 1932, in Harrisville, Ohio, 14th child of immigrant parents, Frank and Lottie (Pesta) Sokoll. He grew up in Eastern Ohio, where he graduated high school before receiving his bachelor's degree from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. He continued his education at The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and earned his Medical Degree in 1958. He completed his resident training in anesthesiology at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. Signing "The Berry Plan" to complete his training at Mercy meant he agreed to serve in the armed services at the completion of his training, which he had always felt obligated to do as a citizen of the United States. So, he joined the United States Air Force and stationed as the anesthesiologist at MacDill Air Force Base Hospital in Tampa, Fla. His time in the Air Force was spent teaching techniques to emergency room corpsmen and medics. After being honorably discharged in 1963, he traveled to Iowa City to interview for a position at UIHC. Tired of big cities, he turned down opportunities in other areas and on Aug. 1, 1963, he joined the Department of Anesthesiology for UIHC. His role as the Professor for the department for 35 years is an important part of its history and success. His research work, clinic work, and more than 100 publications in imperial reward journals are just a few of his many accomplishments. Martin retired in 1998 but continued researching departmental alumni and its history with his fellow colleagues and enjoyed being able to do some work in the Anesthesia Presurgical Evaluation Clinic when it was needed. Martin was active in the community and was on many committees and boards, but specifically at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville, where he was a well-respected and active member for many years. He is survived by his brother, William (Mary) Sokoll of Taos, N.M.; sister-in-law, Kristine Sokoll of Harrisville, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank, Eugene and Richard Sokoll; and his sisters, Agnes King, Amelia Sokoll, Marguerite Sokoll, Helen Baker, Cecelia Wease, Stella Zerba, Mary Azallion, Elizabeth Prezbeski and Clara McCombs. Online condolences and memories of Martin may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com