Dr. Arnis Grundberg Obituary

Arnis Benny Grundberg, “Arnie,” passed away on August 11, 2023. He was born in 1939, in Liepaja, Latvia, to Gerhards and Irma Grundberg. In 1946, the family fled Latvia to escape the Russian annexation. Arnie’s father negotiated his medical skills in exchange for the family’s spot on a Red Cross train out of the Russian-occupied country. After four years in a refugee camp in Augsburg, Germany, the family boarded the Harry S. Truman ship to New York.

Upon arrival in New York, family names were recorded. As Latvian tradition did not include middle names, Arnie and his two brothers were each allowed to select their middle name. Arnis Grundbergs became Arnis Benny Grundberg. The family was then loaded on a train for a new life in Des Moines.

In high school, Arnie’s family moved to Dows, Iowa, and he met Betty. Arnie said, “Betty took me under her wing, and I knew I was home.” Within days of meeting, Betty borrowed a car, and Arnie and Betty drove 60 miles for pictures together in a photo booth. They married at the University of Iowa Chapel on New Year’s Eve in 1960 and welcomed four children: Christy, Julie, Michael, and Susan. Arnie and Betty remained very close with their four children and enjoyed and loved their seven grandchildren.

The first three children arrived while Arnie was in medical school and residency. During this time, Betty worked as a teacher. Money was tight, but Arnie and Betty were hardworking. Arnie graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, completed an internship at Broadlawns Medical Center, and completed residencies at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. After graduation, Arnie was drafted and served as a military doctor. He entered Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri as a Major, treating Vietnam soldiers. Arnie served his new country for two years. The fourth child arrived just before the family moved to Kentucky for Arnie’s fellowship with a renowned hand surgeon.

In 1972, Arnie joined Des Moines Orthopedic Surgeons (DMOS) as the fourth doctor in the practice. For several years, Arnie was the only hand surgeon in the state, and operated on injuries across Iowa, including numerous farm injuries. Arnie wrote medical articles published in the Iowa Orthopedic Journal, The Journal of Hand Surgery, and The Journal of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand. He was a frequent lecturer at hand surgery conventions. Throughout his career, Arnie worked with the same nurse, Jeanine, and the same secretary, Kathie. Jeanine, Kathie, and Arnie were a powerful and efficient team. Arnie was a beloved doctor, providing both medical expertise and a comforting bed side manner. Arnie retired from DMOS in 2009, at the age of 70.

Arnie was an avid Hawkeye football fan. He was introduced to the Iowa Hawkeye teams by listening to the radio and was inspired to play high school football. He attended every Iowa football home game for 40 years. He often brought along his entire family to enjoy the Hawkeye games. During his last few months, Arnie was only interested in his family and the upcoming Hawkeye football season. GO HAWKS!

Arnie and Betty supported their family and society. They paid for their children and grandchildren’s college. Arnie and Betty were generous donors to the Des Moines Art Center, Orchard Place, Iowa Public Radio, The Brenton Arboretum, and later in life, the Democratic Party. Every Christmas, the family selected gifts from Heifer International that supported agriculture and education around the world. Arnie also spent significant time interpreting for Latvian hand surgeons.

Arnie and Betty’s home was filled with books. Arnie was a prolific reader and remembered each book he read. He could give you a synopsis of the book, as well as when and where the book was purchased. He read hundreds of history books and was an expert on WWII and Latvian history.

Arnie and Betty enjoyed traveling and leisure time. They owned a ski condo in Keystone, Colorado, and a lake condo at Lake Panorama, in Panora, Iowa. For decades, they hosted their children, their children’s families, and friends, to share in skiing and boating. They enjoyed hosting the entire extended family to spend the holidays together each year in Mazatlán, Mexico. Arnie and Betty also traveled to Latvia often to reconnect with Grundberg relatives. Arnie lived a wonderful life.

Arnie is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Grundberg, his parents, Gerhards and Irma Grundberg, as well as his brother, Norbert Grundberg. Arnie will be deeply missed by Christy (Dan) Blome; Julie Grundberg; Mike (Dr. Julie) Grundberg; Susan (Bill Hendricks) Grundberg; his grandchildren, Amanda and Josh Blome; Jack, Sam, and Allie Anderson; and Norbert and Gerhard Grundberg; as well has his surviving brother, Gundar Grundberg.

Per Arnie’s request, there will be a private, family funeral on Wed., Sept. 6, 2023, at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Capitol Hill Lutheran. The church sponsored the Grundberg family’s immigration to the United States and continues to support the immigrant community.


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