Richard, Clysta Ann (1930-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Apr 7 p. 9

Birth date: 1930 Jul 31

text of obituary:

CLYSTA ANN RICHARD

Clysta Ann Richard, 77, of Des Moines, Iowa, died March 23, 2008. She was born July 31, 1930, to Anna Graber Richard and Noah Richard in Wayland.

She was a lifetime member of the Mennonite Church and a charter member of Des Moines Mennonite Church, where she served in many leadership positions.

She attended Goshen (Ind.) College and earned bachelor’s and medical doctor degrees from the University of Iowa. She was the first woman in Iowa to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She was in private practice for 31 years before retiring in 1991.

Her life was devoted to caring for her mother and brother and thousands of grateful patients. She was a faithful and joyful Christian and loved Christ, her congregation and the great hymns of the church. She was selfless and generous. Her life and the fruits of her labor were devoted to others.

She held positions on the teaching staff at Broadlawns Polk County Hospital and as intern coordinator at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. She was a member of the advisory board of Planned Parenthood of Iowa, the advisory board of the Center for Mentally Retarded Children, president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association, coordinator of obstetrics-gynecology at Broadlawns Medical Center and an assistant professor on the University of Iowa faculty.

She was a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society, Mennonite Medical Association, American Medical Association, Iowa Medical Society and the Polk County Medical Society. She was an emerita member of Iowa Methodist Medical Center Staff and an emerita fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was a member of the Des Moines chapter of Altrusa International.

Survivors include sisters Beverly Robinson of Des Moines and Mae (Gilbert) Alliman of Goshen, Ind.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Telford, and a brother, John Richard. She donated her body to the University of Iowa for medical research.

A memorial service was held at Des Moines Mennonite Church.