Dr. Robert Kretzschmar, age 83, of Coralville, Iowa, died Thursday, July 14, 2011 at the University of Iowa Hospital following heart failure.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with Rev. Herb Yoder officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington on Sunday. Private family interment with Military Honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the University of Iowa Foundation Palliative Care Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology or the Heart and Vascular Center. Online condolences may be sent for Bob's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com . Jones & Eden Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Bob was born February 1, 1928 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the son of Dr. Norman and Mildreth F. (Addison) Kretzschmar. He attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor where he was the quarterback for the high school football team. After high school Bob joined the United States Army and served as a Military Policeman in Italy.

He then attended the University of Michigan College of Medicine in Ann Arbor, completing five years of residency training in Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Bob was an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was also Professor and Chair at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

During his years in medicine, Bob brought new lives and joy into countless families. He held many leadership roles throughout his life. Bob's career was his celebration of life. His friends also knew him as an enthusiastic golfer, fisherman, and turkey hunter. Bob and Susan enjoyed vacationing in Florida and Aspen, Colorado.

His memory is honored by his wife, Susan Conner Kretzschmar of Coralville, Iowa; son Jim Kretzschmar and wife Julie and their children Matthew, Kristopher and wife Jaclyn, Britt, and Chad of Iowa City; daughter Jane Worstell and husband John of Coralville; son Randy Kretzschmar and special friend Cindy and their children Alex and Katie of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; as well as two nephews and two nieces. Bob's dogs Kirby and Frisco will miss him very much.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Dr. William Kretzschmar.