MESSIER, Dennis Richard 1944-2000

MESSIER, HOUSER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/6/2012 at 15:34:44

DENNIS RICHARD MESSIER

TUCSON, ARIZONA - Dennis Richard Messier passed away in Hospice at the Tucson Medical Center, Saturday (Nov. 4, 2000) at the age of 56. A Celebration of Life was held Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, at the Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, Arizona.

Born in Charles City, Iowa, July 22, 1944, he was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Messier. He was baptized June 16, 1946, and confirmed July 7, 1957, at the United Methodist Church in Rockford, Iowa.

He graduated from Rockford Senior High School in 1962, and from Mason City Junior College in Mason City, Iowa in 1964, with an Associate in Arts Degree. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Degree in 1969 from the University of Iowa and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He attended the Executive Management Institute of both Wharton School of Business and the Voluntary Hospitals of America.

After receiving his Pharmacy Degree he remained at the University Pharmacy in Iowa City, Iowa (1969-1974). He then became Director of Pharmacy at Schoitz Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa (1974-1981), moving to Tucson, Arizona, to become Director of Pharmacy at the Tucson Medical Center from 1981 to 1999. During this time he was also Associate of Pharmacy with the University of Arizona for student rotations. For the past year he has been Pharmacy Consultant for Premier, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois.

Dennis was active in professional groups in Iowa, Arizona, and nationally. He served on the boards and was president of both the Iowa and Arizona Societies of Hospital Pharmacies. He served on the Board of Directors of Arizona State Council of Hospital Pharmacists and the Board of Directors of Southern Arizona Society of Hospital Pharmacies. He was on the voluntary Hospitals of America Pharmacy Programs National Advisory Board and served on the University of Iowa Pharmacy Alumni Board.

He was chairman, vice-chairman and board member of the Arizona State Chapter and the Southern Arizona Division of the March of Dimes. He received many honors and awards, but the two most meaningful to him were being chosen as Iowa Pharmacist of the Year in 1980 and Arizona Pharmacist of the Year in 1988.

Many of his co-workers spoke of Dennis as a calm, efficient mentor who was always fair and encouraging. Following the Iowa Hawkeyes and Arizona Wildcats with his friends and family gave Dennis much enjoyment. His grandchildren, Erica and Sam Preston, were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joy (Houser) Messier; his daughter, Justin (Peter) Preston and their children, Erica and Sam, of Edwardsville, Illinois, and his son, Christian (Tammy) of Surprise, Alaska; his parents, Richard and Elizabeth Messier, of Rockford; and two brothers, Kirk (Karen), Alecia and Jason, of Iowa City; and Bryce (Sharon), and Deanna, of Phoenix, Arizona.

Memorials may be sent in the name of Dennis to United Methodist Church, Rockford, Iowa; Tucson Medical Center for Patio Gardens, 5301 E. Grant, Tucson, Ariz.85712 or March of Dimes, 7290 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite G-2, Tucson, Ariz. 85710.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]