Erkonen, William Edward

William Edward Erkonen passed away peacefully at his home in Coralville, Iowa, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, surrounded by his family and dear friends.

He is survived by his sisters, Betty and Bertha; and his children, Joan (Mukwonago Wis.), Sue (San Mateo, Calif.), Jane (Columbia, S.C.), Sam (Plainfield, Ill.) and Gwen (Coralville); and 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Beth, his wife of 56 years, in August 2013; and his granddaughter, Eve in 2006.

Born on Dec. 13, 1932, to Edward and Jane Erkonen in New York City. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a medical degree in 1958. He married Beth on Sept. 7, 1957, and completed his general internship in Portland, Ore., in 1959. He then joined the Army where he served as a captain until 1961, worked as a general practitioner in Princeton, Ill., from 1962 to 1968, completed his Radiology residency at the University of Iowa in 1971 and worked as a radiologist in Streator, Ill., from 1971 to 1987. Bill joined the faculty at the Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa and taught in the radiology department from 1988 through 2001. During those years, he received many honors including Teacher of the Year for the College of Medicine in 1990, 1993 and 1996, the Whitley Award for Outstanding Educational Presentation in 1991 and 1992, the Holloway Award for research in 1990, was named Junior Professor of the year by the Alpha Omega Alpha/American Association of Medical Colleges in 1994, served on the U.S. Medical License Examiners Board from 1996 to 1998 and ultimately became Professor Emeritus, Department of Radiology. Among his other accomplishments, he co-authored two radiology textbooks, numerous articles and was instrumental in the development of The Virtual Hospital, an award winning website for doctors and patients.

Bill was an avid Hawkeye fan, sports enthusiast, fisherman, pilot, RAGBRAI participant and singer. Most of all, he was a wonderful person and an all around great guy who will be dearly missed.

The family will greet friends from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the University (Athletic) Club in Iowa City. A brief memorial service will take place at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the University of Iowa Foundation or Iowa City Hospice.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 10, 2013.