Dr. Plenny J Bates

Dr. Plenny J Bates

Cedar Rapids

Plenny J Bates, age 90, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

A visitation will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 10:00 AM until the funeral service at 11:30 AM with Pastor Cindy McKenzie officiating. Inurnment will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery – Garden of Reflection.

Plenny was born on July 22, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the son of the late John and Helen (Colglazier) Bates. He developed a keen interest in aviation and model airplanes in his early years. He attended the University of Iowa for undergraduate and medical school. On August 3, 1957, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Plenny married and formed a lifelong partnership with Colleen Hillier. Plenny was an anesthesiologist for both hospitals in Cedar Rapids. He was drafted into the Navy in 1967 and served in Vietnam. In addition, to his lifelong passion for modeling, he enjoyed hiking and spending time with his much-loved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Not only did he possess a kind and generous spirit, but he also had a remarkable ability to inject humor into many situations, bringing laughter to those around him. His “Plenny-isms” will live on in the memory to the amusement of his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Colleen; his children, Donna (Dan) Goede of Sioux Falls, SD, Carol (John) Wallace of Houston, TX and Sarah (Buddy) Frey of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Daryl Ann (Jim) Kappenman, Drew (Lauren) Goede, Callie (Dan Yelin) Wallace, Caryn (Ravid) Gold, Claire Wallace, Nicole (Jarrod Buchanon) Frey, Jack Frey; his great grandchildren, Oliver, Maya, James, Ben Kappenman, Lewis Goede, Heath Yelin, Gemma Gold, Eleanor Buchanon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Sierra Club and Iowa Public Radio.