Wallace Hiram Ash (1924-2007)

ASH, ROBBINS, DENNIS, RICHARDS, GEGEMAN, MOTT

Posted By: Tri-County Times
Date: 10/26/2007 at 08:29:08

TRI COUNTY TIMES, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, October 25, 2007.

Wallace Hiram Ash, "Wally" was born on December 10, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Carrie Way Ash and James Wesley Ash, the youngest of seven children. He graduated from North High in Des Moines, and studied music at Drake University briefly before serving in the Army during World War II.

He then attended the University of Iowa where he married Martha Robbins in 1947. They had one daughter, Cynthia. In 1952 he married Velma Keller, and a year later he graduated from the University of Iowa's College of Medicine.

After completing his internship in Philadelphia in 1954, Wally and Velma moved to DeWitt, Iowa, where Wally practiced medicine. He and Velma raised six children in DeWitt.

During this time he was also an active member of the United Methodist Church, served on the Central School Board, was the high school team physician, and a member of the city's recreation committee.

He enjoyed participating in various musical groups and many types of physical activities including running and skiing, and eventually built and opened the DeWitt Health and Rehabilitation Training Center in 1983 to promote community health and fitness, his lifelong passion.

In 1987 they moved to Slater, Iowa, where Wally continued to practice medicine as part of the McFarland Clinic. He was active with the United Methodist church, the Madrid Nursing Home, and the Ballard school system. He retired in 1997, devoting much of his time to playing the piano. After Velma died in 2003, he moved to Iowa City. He continued to walk regularly, play his piano and attend several area churches including the First United Methodist Church until he died on October 3, 2007, after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. Wally's family would like to thank all of his friends and caregivers in the area for their loving support.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, his wife Velma, and his son Wesley. He is survived by his sister Rachel Dennis of Iowa City, his daughter Cynthia Richards of Huntington Beach, CA; his daughter Becky (Jim) Hegeman of Iowa City; his daughter Sarah (Todd Oleson) Ash of Grand Rapids, MI; his daughter Carrie (Dave) Ash-Mott of Roswell, NM; his son Peter Ash of London, England; and his son Steve (Lisa) Ash of West Des Moines; and eleven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 20, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. The family made the arrangements with Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.

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