Gerald Eganhouse

GERALD R. EGANHOUSE

Cedar Rapids

Gerald R. Eganhouse, 84,

of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at All Saints Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom with a rosary service beginning at 3:30 pm.

Gerald was born Sept. 25, 1933, in Bellevue, Iowa, to Elmer and Amelia (Kieffer) Eganhouse, as the ninth of 11 children. He married Barbara Johnson on Nov. 19, 1955.

Gerald graduated from Oxford Junction High School, left the family farm in Wyoming, Iowa, and joined the U.S. Air Force, becoming an award-winning bomber pilot and instructor specializing in teaching mid-air refueling of B-47s. He then attended Iowa State University for two years of undergraduate studies and the University of Iowa's Dental School and Orthodontics programs. He later opened his orthodontic practice in Cedar Rapids. He was the first full-time orthodontist in Cedar Rapids to achieve the designation of Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics, a designation he carried for over 40 years. "Doctor E" felt blessed to deliver a service that brought him and his patients such satisfaction.

He served as the president of the Linn County Dental Society and the Iowa Society of Orthodontists, along with lecturing in Guatemala City and Chicago on original research.

He was proud of his involvement with the creation of the Linn County Dental Health Center, which continues to deliver free dental care to low-income children and developmentally disabled individuals in our community.

Gerry was an avid boater and especially fond of spending time at the family cabin at Lake Delhi, Iowa. He also enjoyed entertaining family and friends in Fort Myers, Fla. Gerry worked hard and devoted his life to his wife, family and close friends. He was a very generous, honest, religious, kind, humorous and an unselfish person who always put others before himself.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Barbara; four children, Michael (fiancee Dottie), Kenneth (Beth), Jennifer and Paul (Kristi); his 12 grandchildren, Amber, Alex, Megan, Ali, Matt, Robbie, Nick, Delaney, Sam, Katie, Mario and Gerry; two great-grandchildren, Reid and Reyata; and daughter-in-law, Ana.

He was preceded in death by his son, David; and grandson, Andy.

Memorials may be directed to All Saints Catholic Church, Dr. Rhys B. Jones Dental Health Center, American Heart Association or the Community Health Free Clinic in memory of Gerald.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.