Spitz Sr., Douglas Robert

Douglas Robert Spitz Sr.

(1926-2010)

Dr. Douglas Robert Spitz Sr. of Iowa City passed from this world to the next on April 23, 2010, at 84 years of age, with his wife Nell and son Doug Jr. by his side. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at Trinity Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Mel Schlachter officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the church. Following the service his body will be donated to the University of Iowa. At a later date his remains will be entombed in the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College St., Iowa City, IA 52240.

Doug Sr. was born April 5, 1926, to Werner and Ann Ludwig Spitz in Rochester, N.Y., where he grew up with his four brothers and sisters (Madeleine, Werner, James and Marjorie) and graduated from Brighton High School in 1944. Doug married Nellie Kenien Spitz in 1954 and they had been married 56 years at the time of his death. Doug and Nell had four beloved children which they raised together in Monmouth, Ill.

Doug Sr. graduated from Swarthmore College and received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Nebraska. He taught history at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., for 37 years and retired in 1995.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Nell; their four children (Douglas Jr., Michael, Christopher and Maria), four grandchildren (Anthony, Anna, Julia and Mari), and two great-grandchildren (Madison and Khalilia).

Doug loved his family deeply and believed strongly in the strength of family, education, faith, and dedicating his life to helping all members of the community. Doug Sr. was a gentleman and a scholar who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

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