Clifford Alva Hendricks Jr., M.D.

CLIFFORD ALVA HENDRICKS JR., M.D.

Cedar Rapids

Clifford Alva Hendricks Jr., M.D., 85, passed away peacefully at his farm near Chelsea, Iowa, on July 21, 2018. He was born the only child to Clifford A. Hendricks Sr., M.D., and Hildegarde (Bucklew) Hendricks in Quincy, Ill., on Aug. 31, 1932. He graduated from Davenport High School and the University of Iowa (B.S., biology 1954; College of Medicine, 1957), interned at Wayne County Hospital in Detroit, Mich., and completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 1961.

Cliff married Joanne Smith in 1954, and they moved to Cedar Rapids in 1961 with their three children, Deborah, Clifford III, and Kristin. Dr. Hendricks developed and enjoyed a thriving practice in Cedar Rapids, later associating with John Puk, M.D., and retiring in 2011. Dr. Hendricks performed the first corneal transplant in the state of Iowa outside the university.

While attending the University of Iowa, Cliff was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He later became a member of the University of Iowa Foundation President's Club, as well as many professional organizations, and was very supportive of the Salvation Army. He was a duplicate bridge Life Master, and pilot and proud owner of a Cherokee Lance, call letters 88 Romeo Hotel.

Dr. Hendricks was a brilliant, quick-witted man who dearly loved his family and his home state of Iowa. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and spending time with family and friends at his beautiful farm. Cliff embraced the farming community and had the luxury of enjoying the peace and solitude of his farm during his final year of life. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.

Cliff was predeceased by his parents; his stepfather, Howard Hicks Evanson; and his wife, Jo Elizabeth "Beth" Hatch.

He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren, Clifford A. Hendricks III, M.D. (Jean Fallon and son, Evan Hendricks) of New Orleans, La., Deborah Hendricks O'Connell (Michael Sr. and children, Taylor, Michael Jr. and Cameron) of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Kristin E. Hendricks (son, Bennett Hendricks) of New Orleans, La. Also surviving is his former wife, Joanne Hendricks of Cedar Rapids.

Inurnment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum. Per his wishes, we will celebrate Cliff's life privately. Memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244, the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.