Obituary of Robert W. Summers

Dr. Robert W. Summers, 77, Professor Emeritus Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, October 23, 2015, at the First Mennonite Church in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday, October 22nd, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Robert W. Summers was born July 28, 1938, in Lansing, MI, the son of Raymond and Edna (Cook) Summers. Following graduation from high school in St. Johns, MI, he attended Goshen College for two years and graduated from Michigan State University. He then went on to the University of Iowa College of Medicine where he received his MD degree in 1965. Dr. Summers completed his internship at Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital, and subsequently his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Iowa, where he spent his entire professional career. His varied interests as a faculty physician included teaching, patient care, and research in colon cancer prevention, gastrointestinal motility, and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Summers has been recognized for his contributions not only within the local medical community, but throughout the state of Iowa and the United States. He established the Southeast Iowa Chapter of the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America, served as president of the American Motility Society, published numerous professional articles, editorials, chapters, and books, and lectured extensively throughout the world. At the University of Iowa he was the recipient of the James A. Clifton Professorship in 2003 and the Ernest O. Thielen Clinical Teaching and Service Award in 2004. Other formal recognitions include the AGA Mentors Research Scholar Award and the Masters Award in Gastroenterology in 2007. He approached his work with an inquisitive mind, integrity and commitment. Bob was not only a man of great professional accomplishments, but also one who loved to see the world with his wife Edith, collecting Nativities on their many travels. He was an active member of the First Mennonite Church for nearly 60 years, and lived out his faith through his compassionate, gentle, and caring manner. Patients, friends, family, students and colleagues all found Bob to be a devoted caregiver. He enjoyed music, photography, and had a passion for researching family history. But he would like most to be remembered as a husband, dad, and grandfather, as he loved his family dearly! His family includes his wife of 54 years, Edith Marlene (Brenneman) Summers; three daughters and their husbands, Kristine Anne Stalter (Timothy), Rebecca Summers Truszkowski (Joseph), and Rachel Karin Hardy (Jonathan); six grandchildren, Elspeth Anne Stalter-Clouse (Zachary), Elliot John Stalter, Julia Summers Truszkowski, Anna Summers Truszkowski, Cassidy Karin Hardy and Miles Edward Hardy. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Kathryn Sherer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Dr. Summer's memory to the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) Southeast Iowa Chapter, or Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities. Online condolences and memories can be shared on the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.