Stacey Cyphert

STACEY CYPHERT

Iowa City

Stacey Todd Cyphert, 56, died peacefully Saturday, March 28, 2015, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the company of his loving wife. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 4330 St. Patrick Dr., Iowa City, with the Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Family committal services will be at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, Ill. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.

Stacey was born March 14, 1959, in Torrance, Calif., the son of Frederick Ralph (Ted) and Lois (Grosz) Cyphert. The family moved to Worthington, Ohio, where Stacey spent his youth, except for a six-year intermission in Charlottesville, Va. After graduating from Worthington High School in 1977, Stacey went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree (1981) and Master of Health Administration (1983) from Ohio State University.

Following completion of a fellowship at Duke University Medical Center (1983-1984) and working at the University of Cincinnati Hospital (1984-1986), Stacey enrolled at the University of Iowa and earned a doctorate in health management and policy in 1990. While a graduate student there he met the love of his life, Rosemary Wilmoth. They were married July 25, 1992, in Peoria, Ill.

The majority of Stacey's career was spent at the University of Iowa, where he held various positions, the last being assisant vice president for health policy. There he benefitted from several helpful mentors and was fortunate to work with colleagues he greatly respected.

Stacey also was honored in his career to have the opportunity to serve in leadership positions at the local, state and national levels, including chair of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, chair of the State of Iowa's Medical Assistance Advisory Council, as a deputy on the Iowa Business Council, and as chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges government relations.

Travel, which Stacey greatly enjoyed, was part of his job, but also something that he and Rosemary enjoyed doing. As a result, he was blessed to have developed many friendships across the country.

Stacey was an avid tennis player growing up. He also enjoyed playing league volleyball for many years. In addition, Stacey satisfied his quest for adventure through caving and his creative side through photography.

Although the results did not provide what Stacey hoped for, he was grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial and provide feedback that, combined with other participants, may someday lead to a cure for additional types of cancer.

Stacey would like to extend a special thanks to Jean Robillard, John Colloton, Samuel Levey and Ken Kates for their mentorship and friendship over the years. A special thanks to Father Rudolph Juarez for his friendship and spiritual guidance.

The Cyphert family is appreciative of the compassion and care provided by the faculty and staff of the University of Iowa Clifton Digestive Disease Center, the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Palliative Care, Iowa City Hospice and St. Patrick's Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial donations be directed to these organizations.

Survivors include his loving wife, Rosemary; his mother, Lois Cyphert; his sister, Holly (Jon) Thornsbury and their children, Caleb and Rebekah; aunt, Audrey Farah; uncle, Floyd (Jean) Grosz; sisters-in-law, Marie (Steve) Wolff and Patricia Wilmoth (Brian Bong); brother-in-law, Kevin (Mary) Wilmoth and their children, Cassidy and Connor; and his beloved schnauzers, Magic and Zorro.

Stacey was preceded in death by his father; and his grandparents, Ralph and Bessanna (Nail) Cyphert and Henry Floyd and Jane (Iseman) Grosz.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.