John Olds Obituary

John Ward Olds, 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, physician, and veteran passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, December 1, 2024. John was born on April 25, 1935, in the Panama Canal Zone to Thayer S. and Dorris L. Olds.

A lifelong learner, John graduated from Iowa State University, earning his B.S. degree in 1956. John was united in marriage to Rosemary B. Olds on July 10, 1957 at Mitchel Air Force Base in New York. Military service was a hallmark of John’s family. Before embarking on his medical career, John followed in his father’s footsteps by serving his country for five years in the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant, and receiving an honorable discharge in 1961. Sixty years later, John was proud to see his grandson, Thomas, serving in the U.S. Navy.

Following his military service, John went on to complete his premedical education at the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. John completed medical school at the University of Tennessee, earning his M.D. degree in 1967. John and Rosemary settled in Des Moines, Iowa following John’s medical internship, residency and fellowship.

Beginning his medical career in 1972, John served for 30 years as an infectious disease specialist. Following his time spent in private practice as a physician at the Internal Medical Clinic, John went on to serve the medical community for 17 more years in several administrative and advisory roles. Examples of the numerous organizations John served included Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Medicare, Hospice, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the Iowa Board of Medicine. John eventually retired for the fifth and final time in 2019 after 47 years of medical service. His work ethic and devotion to others left a lasting impact on his patients, colleagues, and the medical community.

Known for his voracious appetite for reading and his inquisitive mind, John remained intellectually curious and actively engaged in learning even in his final days. He was a man of great integrity, wisdom, and kindness—a true inspiration to those fortunate enough to know him. John had a deep regard for all living things and he greatly admired Albert Schweitzer’s phrase, “Reverence for Life,” a philosophy that John embodied both professionally and personally.

John was a very loving and private man, prioritizing his precious free time, which was spent almost exclusively with his family. He utterly adored his wife, Rosemary. For 60 years, John was her devoted husband and companion in many of life’s adventures together. They raised three children and enjoyed seeing their grandsons grow into adulthood. John and Rosemary loved traveling the world, collecting antiques, opera, the American West, and history, especially pertaining to the U.S. Civil War. John was a very active person and always kept himself physically fit. In his prime, John was an avid squash player at the downtown Des Moines YMCA. Later in life, he took great pride in becoming a master gardener. Whenever the weather and time permitted, one would typically find John outdoors tending to his many gardens with the family pets and natural wildlife keeping him company. Each garden surrounding John and Rosemary’s home was named for a member of the family, including a memory garden for family members who had passed away.

John’s legacy of love, learning, service to others, and his reverence for life will continue to resonate in the lives of those he touched. He will be remembered with deep affection and profound gratitude.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Miriam (Sean) Sayre; his son, David Olds; his grandsons, Thomas and Joseph Sayre; and his sisters, Marian Precht and Kathryn Falconer.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Rosemary Olds; his son, James Olds; his parents, Thayer and Dorris Olds; as well as many beloved family pets.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 16, 2024 at Wesley on Grand, 3520 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, in the performing arts auditorium. The service will be recorded and available for viewing the next day on John’s obituary page at www.ilescares.com, where you may also leave online condolences.

Memorial charitable contributions can be made to the Wesley On Grand Library in Des Moines, Iowa or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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