Richard Preston, MD

Richard Earl Preston passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 12, 2017, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Phyllis. Also surviving are sons, David (Phea) of Seattle, Washington, and Mark (Teresa) of Urbandale and six grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, Earle and Jennie; his older sister Darlene; aunt Bernice and daughter Debbie.

Richard was born on a farm near Lenox on May 4, 1925. He lost his father at a young age as well as his older sister. His family lost the farm in the Great Depression. He met Phyllis as a high school freshman and they married in 1942. He served during World War II as a Navy corpsman, stationed in the Philippine Islands, having completed boot camp at Farragut Naval Base in Idaho.

He attended University of California, Berkeley and University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed residency training at University of Michigan. In 1963, he returned to Des Moines and joined Dr. Paul Cash. He practiced psychiatry in Des Moines for 46 years, the last 17 years with his son Mark.

Richard was a dedicated physician, devoted spouse, parent and grandparent.

He was active in many professional and patient advocacy organizations through the years and was a lifelong Hawkeye fan and shutterbug. In later years, he enjoyed gardening. He was proud of his small town upbringing and often spent time in his hometowns of Lenox, Corning and Creston. He touched many lives and will be missed.

Special thanks to the caring physicians and nurses who helped him in his final years, as well as the staff of Senior Suites of Urbandale.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road, in Urbandale. Funeral services will be 9 a.m. the following morning for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Iowa.