Dr. Kolder was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He was the epitome of what a great doctor should be. Brilliant in his field, fun loving, kind, caring, an ever present smile upon his face. No one cared more for their patients as well as the staff and clinic personnel like Dr. Kolder. If every doctor or even every individual was even a fraction of the physician and man he was, the world would be a much, much better place. Rest in peace Dr. Kolder. You made a lasting impression on me and I will always remember you in nothing but the highest of regards!

It was always fun to spend an afternoon with Papa Hans out at his farm. My sons would hide in the hay loft and feed cows. My husband would debate world events. He and I would ride horses in the early morning when you could see your breath from the chill.

Then we would have an indoor picnic. My times with Hans were always wonderful. He was an extraordinary man who helped me develop many of the skills I use every day. I am so glad he was part of our journey.

To the Family,

Please accept my sympathy at the passing of Dr. Kolder. He touched many lives and enhanced the quality of all throughout his long career. Our family is very grateful for the care he gave to my mother when he was treating her eye disease. An event that stands out in my mind was one noon day when I was feeding my mother lunch at the nursing home in Kalona when much to our surprise Dr. Kolder appeared at the door. He had gone out of his way on a trip home to stop at the nursing home to test the pressure in my mother's eyes since she was no longer able to make the trip to Iowa City. This was at the time he was serving as the acting head of the department of ophthalmology and obviously had a very demanding schedule. That type of compassion is very singular and typifies the high quality of care he provided for his patients. We will miss his spritely and optimistic approach to the practice of medicine and the gracious Viennese manners he showed to all of his patients. He left us much too soon but all of those in his family can be consoled by the knowledge that his contributions to education and patient care live on in all of the physicians he trained through his excellent and compassionate example.

John Rose Pediatric Pharmacist at UIHC

Dr. Kolder was a wonderful doctor. I was only able to see him about 4 or 5 times before he retired from UIHC.

He had a very kind sense of humor.

We send our condolences to all the family.

Dear Katrin, Veronika and family, Our sympathies are extended to you and your spouses and families; althought we did not know your father, his legacy and pride lives on in your daily interactions and integrity, as you both give the best care and fondness to your patients in your practices. Sincerely, with love and appreciation always, Joellen & Jim Megan

Dear Kolder Family,

I will always remember with deep appreciation the warmth and kindness of your family. I send you loving and peaceful thoughts.

My condolences to the whole family. I did not have a lot of contact with Hans, but when I did he was the kindest and gentlist person I knew. He never met a stranger. My fondest memories are when he would call the Kolder Pet Hospital and asked me to send him a fax. He was trying to get his fax machine at home to work. He did this on more than one occassion. I also remember how proud he was of his twin foals when they were born. He will truly be missed by all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Gina

Our thoughts are with you during this time of loss. We wanted to share the following Poem with you. It is one that continues to bring us comfort:

On The Death Of The Beloved

John O'Donohue

Though we need to weep your loss,

You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,

Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn

Brightening over our lives

Awakening beneath the dark

A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice

Found for us

A new music

That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze

Quickened in the joy of its being;

You placed smiles like flowers

On the altar of the heart.

Your mind always sparkled

With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,

Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer

From the old distance of our names;

Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,

As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,

We know our soul's gaze is upon your face,

Smiling back at us from within everything

To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,

Where we would grow lonely without you.

You would want us to find you in presence,

Beside us when beauty brightens,

When kindness glows

And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,

Darkest winter has turned to spring;

May this dark grief flower with hope

In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.

To serve the call of courage and love

Until we see your beautiful face again

In that land where there is no more separation,

Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,

And where we will never lose you again.

I will always remember Dr. Kolder for his wonderful Old Word manners and absolute kindness. He seemed always able to balance his work with a personal life and would come into the library at noon some days to remind me I needed to get away from the books and away from it all to enjoy life. I remember trying to help him figure out how to use a Lego computer program so he could play it with one of his grandchildren. We kept laughing at each other because we couldn't get it to work and finally decided it was going to take someone less than 10 years old to untwist the intricacies of the program.

To the family of Dr.Kolder, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers in your time of grief. Although i only knew him for only a short time,he touched my heart in ways i will never forget. Shelley stuhrG

Dr. Kolder was an exceptional mentor during my ophthalmology residency and beyond. He taught me to gently care for patients as well as to take some time for life outside of medicine. I will miss him,. I will always cherish the fabulous memories and his wise thoughtful advice.