Dalbey, DVM, Richard Lewis (“Doc”) (1930 - 2019)

DALBEY, MCNABB, FINDLAY, SHIELDS, ERWIN, ROONEY, WALKER, JORGENSON, BARR, LEWIS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/2/2019 at 09:53:06

Name of deceased: Richard Lewis (“Doc”) Dalbey, DVM

Aged: 89 yrs, 29 days

Residence: Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Born: May 9, 1930; Methodist Hospital, Des Moines, Polk County, IA

Died: June 7, 2019; Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Saturday, June 15, 2019; First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery

Survived by: Children, Rebecca (spouse, Mike) McNabb of Omaha, AR, and Sara Findlay of Panama, IA; grandchildren, James (spouse, Kaila) Shields of Harlan, IA, Katharyn McNabb of Houston, TX, and Amanda (spouse, Marcus) Erwin of Harlan, IA; great-grandchildren, Camden Michael Shields, Madden James Rooney, and Kennedy Cole Erwin, all of Harlan, IA; sister, Barbara (spouse, Norman) Walker of Mesa, AZ; brother-in-law, Earl Jorgenson of Mead, CO; sister-in-law, Louise Barr of West Des Moines, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Richard and Dorothy (nee Lewis) Dalbey; wife of 66 years, Margaret; sister, Patricia Dalbey Jorgenson; brother-in-law, Merton Barr; son-in-law, Cole Findlay

Education: Graduated from Coin (IA) High School, Class of 1947; he then attended Drake University for pre-med courses; accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, and he earned his doctorate.

Religious affiliation: Admitted into the Cradle Roll of the Shenandoah Methodist Church, Shenandoah, IA on April 20, 1933; Member, United Methodist Church and was active in the church choir and bible study.

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Margaret Anne Barr; April 14, 1951; Gatchel United Methodist Church, Des Moines, IA

Employment: Veterinarian in Des Moines, IA until moving to Harlan, IA in 1961. He partnered there with Ed Christensen, DVM, at the Christensen Vet Clinic. In 1975, he left private practice and went to work for the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture as a veterinarian over meat inspection. He retired in 1996.

Hobbies/Interests: Member, Iowa National Guard; member, Masonic Lodge, Parian Chapter #321, the Huff and Puffer Bicycle Club, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Harlan Community Chorus and Theatre Guild, and Mensa. With his wife, Margaret, Doc was instrumental in organizing and bringing to Harlan the Western Iowa Arts Association (also known as the Harlan Theatre Guild). Doc enjoyed acting in numerous performances, including Oklahoma, Natalie Needs a Nightie, South Pacific and any other opportunity to use his big bass voice. He enjoyed participating in nearly every organized bicycle ride he could find, including RAGBRAI, Brann, Ride Over the Rockies, the Baja Peninsula and many others. He particularly loved spending time with his family.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com