Memorial
Dr. R. Paul Penningroth of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015 surrounded by his family after a courageous 15-year battle against prostate cancer.
A tribute to his life will take place from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids.
Paul is survived by his wife, Terry; six daughters: Ann, Ellen, Kathryn, and Paige Penningroth, Emily (Ryan) Phelan, and Claire Penningroth; six grandchildren: Jacob, Nate, Charlotte, Eli, Noah, and Zoe; two sisters: Emily Wagstaff and Barbara O’Brien; five nephews: Paul, Mike, Rich, Doug, and Scott; and niece Kathy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Cindy.
Paul was born August 3, 1939 in St. Petersburg, Florida to Dr. Paul W. and Persis (Carney) Penningroth. He graduated from high school in Jacksonville, Florida. He became an avid Hawkeye fan while attending the University of Iowa for his undergraduate studies; he graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1964. He then completed an internship at the Marion County General Hospital in Indianapolis and residency at Psychopathic Hospital in Iowa City.
Before starting his professional career, Paul honorably served our country as Chief of the Mental Hygiene Consultation Division at the United States Army Flight Training Center in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Continuing his service, he became Major M.C. at the 121st Evacuation Hospital in South Korea.
After an honorable discharge from the army, Paul became an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He was also Acting Chief and Director of the Drug Dependency Unit at the V.A. Hospital in Iowa City. In 1972, he became Director of the Linn County Psychiatric Clinic in Cedar Rapids.
In 1979, Dr. P and Terry pioneered a private practice in psychiatry by opening the Cedar Centre Psychiatric Group with two fellow psychiatrists. This practice has since grown to twenty practicing psychiatric professionals. Throughout his medical career, he also extended his father’s entrepreneurial spirit by beginning Penningroth Apartments, Ltd in Iowa City as well as owning City News and Books.
He was a proud member of the American Psychiatric Association, Iowa Psychiatric Society, American Medical Association, Iowa Medical Society, American Association of University Professors, Linn County Medical Society and many other local organizations.
Dr. P loved technology and enjoyed tinkering with all of the latest gadgets. He had fun traveling by motor home, starting with his first 1976 GMC “The Green Machine,” for annual trips to the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina, Fort Wilderness at Disney World in Orlando and tailgating at Hawkeye football games, among other countless trips. Paul always loved to play a good game of Hearts with family while in North Carolina and Florida. Spades was the game of choice with friends in Cedar Rapids.
Paul was a lifelong learner who was on an unending quest for knowledge. Please remember Dr. P in your heart with a smile, laugh, or joke.
To honor the founder, the Cedar Centre Psychiatric Group office will be closed Wednesday, May 27th.
The family requests no flowers. Instead, please consider making a memorial donation to the University of Iowa Foundation, Department of Psychiatry to further research in the field of mental health, which was Dr. P’s passion.