Obituary of Wallace Hiram Ash

Wallace Hiram Ash, “Wally” was born on December 10, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Carrie Way Ash and James Wesley Ash, the youngest of seven children. He graduated from North High in Des Moines, and studied music at Drake University briefly before serving in the Army during World War II. He then attended The University of Iowa where he married Martha Robbins in 1947. They had one daughter, Cynthia. In 1952 he married Velma Keller, and a year later he graduated from the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine. After completing his internship in Philadelphia in 1954, Wally and Velma moved to DeWitt, Iowa where Wally practiced medicine. He and Velma raised six children in DeWitt. During this time he was also an active member of the United Methodist Church, served on the Central school board, was the high school team physician and a member of the city’s recreation committee. He enjoyed participating in various musical groups and many types of physical activities including running and skiing, and eventually built and opened the DeWitt Health and Rehabilitation Training Center in 1983 to promote community health and fitness, his lifelong passion. In 1987 they moved to Slater, Iowa where Wally continued to practice medicine as part of the McFarland Clinic. He was active with the United Methodist Church, the Madrid Nursing Home, and the Ballard school system. He retired in 1997 devoting much of his time to playing the piano. After Velma died in 2003, he moved to Iowa City. He continued to walk regularly, play his piano and attend several area churches including the First United Methodist Church until he died on October 3, 2007 after a battle with Alzhemier’s disease. Wally’s family would like to thank all of his friends and caregivers in the area for their loving support. He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, his wife Velma, and his son Wesley. He is survived by his sister Rachel Dennis of Iowa City, his daughter Cynthia Richards of Huntington Beach, CA; his daughter Becky Hegeman (husband Jim Hegeman) of Iowa City, IA; his daughter Sarah Ash (husband Todd Oleson) of Grand Rapids, MI; his daughter Carrie Ash-Mott (husband Dave Ash-Mott) of Roswell, NM; his son Peter Ash of London, England; and his son Steve Ash (wife Lisa Ash) of West Des Moines, IA. In addition, he is survived by eleven grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, Iowa on October 20, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral Home of Iowa City is assisting in his services.