Dr. Rudy Richard Kubik

KUBIK, UCHYTIL

Posted By: Cindy Marshall (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 22:08:36

Dr. Rudy Richard Kubik, 84, of Independence, formerly of Traer, died of front temporal dementia on Monday, August 30, 2021, at Prairie Hills in Independence.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church in Traer on Saturday, September 4, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, rural Clutier. Visitation was held at Overton Funeral Home, Traer, on Friday, September 3, from 3 to 6 p.m. A rosary service was held prior to visitation at 2:45 p.m.

Overton Funeral Home, Traer, is in charge of arrangements.

Rudy was born on January 5, 1937, in Clutier, the son of Fred and Eleanor (Zmolek) Kubik. He graduated from Traer High School, Iowa State Teacher's College (UNI), and the University of Iowa Dental School, where he received his doctorate in dental surgery. Rudy served his country in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964. He was stationed at Barbers Point on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu near Pearl Harbor.

Rudy was the director of dental services at the Mental Health Institute (MHI) in Independence, retiring in 2010 after 35 years of service. He was also an associate adjunct professor with the University of Iowa School of Dentistry and trained dental students at MHI and Hawkeye Community College. After his retirement, Rudy continued to work with students at Hawkeye Community College, and also oversaw free dental exams in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, and Independence, as well as working with school nurses supervising application of dental sealants.

Rudy was a volunteer fireman with the MHI Fire Department for 34 years, serving as fire chief for 15 years.

Rudy won several awards during his life. He was a state champion in the one-mile run in high school in 1955. In 1993, he was among the "Nine Who Care" with KCRG-TV9. He won the Lieutenant Governor's Employee Volunteer Award in 2002, and he was a Master Gardener.

Rudy is survived by a brother, Robert (Sandra) Kubik of Springfield, Missouri, and 22 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leonard Kubik, Tony Kubik, and Freddie Kubik; a sister, Georgianna Uchytil; and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Buchanan County Fire Association or MHI Fire Department. Condolences may be left at www.overtonfuneralhomes.com.

Published by Independence Bulletin-Journal on Sep. 1, 2021.