Roy Eugene FELL, DO

FELL, THOMPSON, MOFFETT, HOWIE, ROBERTSON, GROVES, ALLEN, SUNDBERG, CLUTTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/9/2011 at 13:01:25

July 27, 1923 --- February 20, 2011

Roy Eugene Fell, 87, was born on July 27, 1923 and raised in Walnut Iowa the son of Glen and Gladys Fell. Roy attended school and participated in football, basketball, school plays, band, and glee club. He graduated in 1940 and attended Iowa State University. He decided to go to California and worked in the Basalt Rock Shipyards in Napa helping to build mine layers and destroyers for 2 years. He joined the Navy and following boot camp in Idaho, he was sent to the Panama Canal to help guard the Panama Sea Frontier at the Naval Air Base. Roy was discharged in 1946 and returned to help his parents on the farm. In 1950 he returned to college and completed his undergraduate degree at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. During this time he also met and married Frances Ann Thompson from Clarion, Iowa. Roy first learned of osteopathy from the family doctor in Atlantic, Iowa and liked the principle of using his hands as well as medicine to help people be well. Roy was admitted to the Still Osteopathic College in Des Moines and graduated in 1954. Then he interned at Des Moines General and Broadlawns Hospital. After graduation, Mrs. Sylvia Moffett’s from Mount Ayr called and asked if Roy would be interested in helping with Dr. Moffett’s practice located on the west side of the square. Roy and Fran moved their young family to Mount Ayr and after several years, built their own office building at 207 N. Taylor St. After an initial test period of several years, during which he drove to Creston to see his hospitalized patients, he was allowed access to the Ringgold County Hospital. Roy loved his patients like family. He not only provided sound medical advice but he also listened to their problems, joys, and concerns, and his “bedside manner” was his best attribute. Roy and Fran helped bring several other physicians to Mt Ayr during the years they were in practice (Drs. Lippold, Patel, Irving, Ricker). Roy was also instrumental in bringing specialists like Dr. Shreck to Mount Ayr to strengthen medical services in the rural community. Roy also served on the Mt Ayr School Board for 12 years, the United Presbyterian Church session, taught Sunday School, and served on the board of the Ringgold County Group Home. Roy died Sunday, February 20, 2011 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa following a brief illness.

Roy leaves behind his six children, Fay Howie of Mt Ayr, Paul Fell (Stephany) of Pleasant Hill, IA, John Fell (Sohila) of West Des Moines, IA, Eric Fell (Judy) of Mt Ayr, Mary Robertson (Mike) of Omaha, NE, and Jim Fell (Rachael) of Lees Summit, MO, as well as 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his beloved wife, Fran, of 60 years, brother Max Fell, son-in-law, Terry Howie, brothers-in-law, Howard Groves, John Allen, Doc Sundberg, and Curtis Clutter and sisters-in-law, Iris Groves and Lola Sundberg. A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later.

Arrangements were by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Services were conducted at the United Baptist-Presbyterian Church in Mount Ayr on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, with Rev. Michael Maddy officiating. Musicians included Nancy Sackett, Carol McCreary, Grace Warin, Barbie Belzer and Jodie Wurster. Casket bearers included Brian Fell, Nathan Howie, Nolan Howie, Brandon Fell, Trevor Fell and Alex Fell. Honorary pallbearers were Alicia Still, Lydia Fell, Jennifer Fell, Mya Fell, Chad Pedersen, Whitney Fell, Nikki Jensen, Brianne Kopp, Stephanie Robertson and Trent Fell. Military honors were by Ringgold Post #172 and Iowa Honor Guard Unit. Roy was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.

Mount Ayr Record-News - Mount Ayr, Iowa
February 23, 2011