McLaughlin, Dr. Philip A., MD (1926-2021)

MCLAUGHLIN, LYDON, CASTILLO, HOULIHAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/14/2023 at 09:22:03

DR. PHILIP ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN, MD Coralville
Dr. Philip Andrew McLaughlin, MD, 95, died on Aug. 19, 2021, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City. Born on March 18, 1926, in Stuart, Iowa, he was the son of Bridget Frances (Lydon) McLaughlin and Joseph Patrick McLaughlin. He attended St. Mary's School in Stuart before moving to Iowa City in 1940. He was a top scorer, and senior co-captain of the St. Patrick's High School Fighting Irish basketball team and graduated in 1944. He attended one semester at the University of Iowa, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1944, where he graduated from Officer's Candidate School. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Pacific Theater of World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. Returning to classes at the University of Iowa, he regularly attended Mass and became a member of the Newman Catholic Student Center. There, he met Kathleen Morrissey. They were married in June 1953 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. He was accepted to Iowa College of Law where he studied for one year, but found his passion was in healthcare and he was accepted in Iowa's medical college. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1954 and interned at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. Doctor McLaughlin completed a year of residency in general surgery at the Iowa City VA Medical Center after a year of general medical practice in Iowa Falls. He served as a captain in the Army Medical Reserve for many years. He was always proud that he started the first medical practice in Coralville, Iowa when he opened its doors in 1957. Dr. McLaughlin delivered nearly 1,800 babies during his medical career, and one of those little girls, Meg Roushar, eventually married his son Paul. He began his practice with $3 house calls and was one of the last Iowa doctors who routinely visited sick patients in their own homes. He retired in 1990 and maintained his medical license for many years to assist family, neighbors, and friends with medical questions and needs. He and Kathleen spent their winters at Spring Run Golf Club, Estero, Florida. He was a Life Member of the American Academy of Family Practice and the Johnson County Medical Society. He was formally a Rotarian and Fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as president of the Mercy Hospital Staff from 1974-76. He and his wife are members of St. Leo's Catholic Church in Estero and have been members of Iowa City's St. Patrick's Parish for 61 years. They were active in their faith community and served as Eucharistic Ministers at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. He is survived by Kathleen and his children, Maureen McLaughlin (Glenn Lindgren - deceased), Eagan, Minn.; Patrick and Mindy, Bettendorf, Iowa; Teresa McLaughlin, Coralville, Iowa; Sheila McLaughlin, Des Moines, Iowa; Mary and Jorge Castillo, Miami, Fla.; and Paul and Meg, West Des Moines, Iowa. He has 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Paul, Joseph and Richard; and sister, Mary Houlihan. Dr. Phil was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Handball and golf were his favorite hobbies, and he was a long-time member of the Iowa City Elks Lodge. There, he played many rounds while afterward sharing fond memories inside the clubhouse. He often joked about having two Catholic priests witness his hole-in-one on the Elk's No. 6 hole. Another golf highlight was when he shot par on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, at Lensing's Oak Hill Funeral Service, 210 Holiday Rd., Coralville, where a Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. A Christian Celebratory Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Iowa City. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. A luncheon at Lensing's Oak Hill in Coralville will follow the graveside service. The family kindly asks that friends respect the wearing of masks on Tuesday and Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Regina Foundation or Mercy Hospital Foundation, Iowa City. Online condolences can be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com .
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Published by The Gazette on Aug. 22, 2021.