EDUARDO REVEIZ, M.D.

Eduardo was born February 6, 1938, in Cali Colombia, to Carim Reveiz, a Lebanese immigrant and Mary Roldan de Reveiz. He was the oldest of seven children.

He graduated from the University del Valle with a medical degree in 1962. He completed a General Surgery residency at the University of Iowa in December 1966, after which he returned to Cali to practice medicine. While in Iowa City he met his future bride, the love of his life, Paulette Mefferd. She was a student in Xray Technology at the University of Iowa when he was a surgical resident. With his Latin style, he dated and charmed Paulette. From this meeting came 54 years of marriage, five daughters and 13 grandchildren. They were married in Cali, Colombia on November 18, 1967.

While practicing medicine in Cali, Eduardo was the general surgeon for the Peace Corps Volunteers in the area. He also wrote weekly medical articles which were published in the newspaper, El Occidente. Eduardo was kidnapped in Cali on January 23, 1969, and held for three days. He was the first to be kidnapped in a series of kidnappings in Colombia.

Ed and Paulette moved to Webster City, Iowa in 1970 where they built a thriving surgical and family practice. He practiced medicine in Webster City for over 36 years and was known far and wide for helping those most in need in the community, often offering medical care for free. He always believed healthcare was a basic human right. He delivered hundreds of babies as well. While in Webster City they were blessed with the births of their daughters Analisa, Maria Cristina, Paulette (Pauley) Melinda, Elena Jane and Karime Samira.

It was not unusual to see one or more of the daughters working in the office after school: answering the phone, making appointments and cleaning the office. Paulette was a regular fixture there as well, managing the business side, which was no small feat in the pre-Quickbooks era.

In addition to his thriving medical practice, Ed had a basement home office where he would offer urgent care services to his beloved patients on weekends and at night long before urgent care clinics existed. He did this to avoid unnecessary medical costs that accompany ER visits. In many ways, Ed was far ahead of his time. He spoke often of the broken parts of the healthcare system and did more than his part to address them.

Ed was a generous host and would invite anyone into his home for drinks or dinner, at anytime. His daughters recall many instances when they would awaken to find some of their favorite toys gone only to learn their father had given the toys to his pediatric patients. They knew better than to complain as he would always remind them that there were those who were far less fortunate than them. More times than not there were extra guests at every holiday dinner, as he could not bear to let anyone he knew be alone on a holiday. These were Dr. Reveiz’ happiest days: in Webster City with his family and patients, in his office and home, doing what he loved most: practicing medicine. Dr. Reveiz always commented on how much he loved his patients, even in his final days. He also knew his feelings were reciprocated.

His daughters recall Sunday afternoon outings where they would pile into the back of his orange Corvette so he could race around the Hamilton County Speedway. He would go really fast, at least in memory. Ed would take them to the car races where he was the Track Doctor. Once Prairie Meadows Horse Racing Track opened, he and Paulette had the best table (at the finish line) for over 20 years. In his childhood, Ed recalled spending Sundays at the horserace track in Cali where his father owned many racehorses. Ed and Paulette didn’t bet much at the races, they simply loved the horse races and Prairie Meadows.

Ed retired in November 2006 then he and Paulette moved to Des Moines where two daughters were living. Since then they’ve become fixtures at daily mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral, traveled around the world in various cruises and trips, and gone home to Colombia many times. He also enjoyed his business of investing in land while Paulette still works full time managing it. The biggest joy was having their youngest daughter, Karime, her husband Joel, and their three daughters living next door to them.

Eduardo is survived by his devoted wife, Paulette, daughters Dr. Analisa (Mike) Haberman of Mason City, Dr. Maria Reveiz of Des Moines, Pauley (Brian) Thompson of Maple Grove, MN, Elena Reveiz of Omaha, NE, and Karime (Dr. Joel) Westrum of Des Moines, 13 grandchildren: Glori Dei Filippone, Samira Haberman, Eleanor Aida Filippone, Mark Edward Haberman, Yousef El Kasaby, Aisha El Kasaby, Karim El Kasaby, Bryce Thompson, Francesca Filippone, Dane Thompson, Helena, Rose and Dorothy Westrum, his sister Dr. Maria Victoria Reveiz (Jorge Alberto Criales), his brothers Dr. Edgar (Eliane) Reveiz, Dr. Hernan (Nubia) Reveiz, sisters-in-law Pat (Ken) Boughey, Linda (Loren) Gustafson, Kathleen Hinn, Margaret (Larry) Beckman, Brothers-in-law Tom (Bonnie) Mefferd and Dan Van Berkum. Ed is also survived by dozens of beloved nieces and nephews in the US and abroad.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Aida Reveiz de Assis, his brothers Jaime and Guillermo, his aunt Tia Karime, brother-in-law Dr. Jorge Assis, nephew Dr. Kamal Assis and stillborn daughter Natalie Nanette. Also preceding him in death were his in-laws Paul and Helen Mefferd, sister-in-law Kristine Van Berkum and brother-in-law John Hinn.

Ed passed away from end stage dementia after a fall at home on Thanksgiving. His family has donated his brain to the University of Iowa for research, which makes Ed and Paulette’s love story come full circle: he will continue to help others in the beautiful college town where it all began.

Ed will never be forgotten by his family, whom he loved dearly. He loved being a physician and especially his patients, friends, the horse races and most of all, God.

Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.

– Hippocrates

Memorial visitation will be Monday December 27th from 4-7 pm with a 4 pm Rosary service at Dunn’s Funeral Home 2121 Grand Ave.

Memorial Mass will be 10:00 am Tuesday December 28th at St. Ambrose Cathedral.