Fesenmeyer, Charles Richard - 1920-2011

ANDREWS, BEERS, BOWLING, CONNORS, DICARO, EDWARDS, FESENMEYER, NOBLE, STRYKER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/31/2024 at 12:36:19

Dr. Charles Richard Fesenmeyer of Davenport, Iowa, passed away at home on Sunday, September 18, 2011. He had been cared for by his devoted wife of 67 years, Kathlene "Kay" Bowling Fesenmeyer.
Dr. Fesenmeyer - known to his friends and family as Dick or Gus - was born May 10, 1920 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Victor Emmanuel and Fannie Stryker Fesenmeyer. He graduated from Riceville High School, Riceville, Iowa, in 1937. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1941, and was fast-tracked through medical school at the University of Iowa due to World War II, graduating in 1943.
Dr. Fesenmeyer interned at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and was married to Kay on April 28, 1944. During World War II, he served as a Captain in the Army Medical Corps and was stationed in the Philippines for two years. After the war, he and Kay returned to Detroit, where he completed four years of surgical residency.
Dr. Fesenmeyer and his family settled in Davenport in 1950, where he practiced medicine until 1999. In his 56 years of medical practice, he served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff at the former St Luke's Hospital (now Genesis East) and as president of the Scott County Medical Society. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a lifetime member of the Iowa Medical Society. His practice included general surgery, occupational medicine, and adult care. "Doc" made house calls and visited patients in nursing homes long after these ceased to be common practice. He was loved and respected by his patients, nursing staff and colleagues.
Dick was a member, deacon, and elder of First Presbyterian Church. He was a gardener and woodworker, a voracious reader, and an avid Hawkeye supporter. Dick was the beloved patriarch of the Fesenmeyer family, concerned about the happiness and well being of his wife, children, grandchildren and loved ones.
Dick is survived by his wife, Kay; children Charles Richard Jr., Thomas (Dr. Ann Connors), and Nancy, of Iowa City, Iowa and Kathlene (Dr. William Edwards), of Rockford, Illinois; grandchildren Elizabeth (Shane) Beers, Jennifer (William) DiCaro, Mark and Eric Edwards, and Victor and Maureen Fesenmeyer; and great-grandson Max DiCaro. He is also survived by sister Evelyn Noble of Rochester, MN, and sister-in-law Loree Fesenmeyer of Worland, WY. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law, Nancy Andrews, his brother, Philip Fesenmeyer, and his brother-in-law, Russell Noble.
The family offers their thanks and appreciation to Dick's care team, including Dr. Ed Motto and his nurse, Eva, the Genesis Hospice staff, and the Guardians, who made it possible for him to remain in his home. The family especially wishes to thank and honor Mike Thomas, who went above and beyond the call of duty as a neighbor and friend.
A private service was held for the Fesenmeyer family Friday, September 23, 2011. Cunnick-Collins Mortuary, Davenport, assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fesenmeyer Family Fund at any of the US Bank locations for memorials to be determined at a later date. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.Cunnick-Collins.com.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, October 2, 2011, page 8B