In Memory of Daniel Francis Crowley, Jr., M.D.

By James W. Chambers, M.D.

Dan left us on March 9, 2003 after a brief but tragic illness, painful to watch but not for him. At the end of a long downhill course depriving him of important physical and mental functions one after another, culminating in a major stroke with intermittent coma and finally death. It was one of those long, sad, very distressing vigils for family and friends until the hands of God mercifully took him away.

He was 89 years old, born May 8, 1913 to Dr. Dan Sr. and Rosemary Crowley. There was an older brother, Fred also a medical doctor and two younger sisters, all deceased and residing lifelong in Illinois. He was married to Elaine (Benji) Benjamin from Maine on September 18, 1945 with two offspring, John and Cathy and three grandchildren.

Dan was a lifelong Catholic with a public school education starting in Des Moines with termination at Mayo clinic in 1949. He was faithful and served his church all his life. He loved to recall being an alter boy paired with Ed Drew, M.D. Serving Mass in a public hall over at the Dahl’s Store in the then Meredith property on Grand Ave. across from Greenwood Park. This was the early home of St. Augustin’s parish before the present church was built. He later graduated from Roosevelt High going on to the University of Iowa for college and medical school. He interned at Bellevue Hospitals in New York for several years, and did a surgical residency at Mayo Clinic. He was there while the Mayo Brothers were living and in their prime as surgeons and teachers.

He was at the Mayo Clinic from 1940-1941 with a military gap and then returned to Mayo from 1946-1949. This provided him with an unusually fine medical education plus the gritty experience with the wartime Air Force in Europe from 1941 to 1946.

He was a natural student, loved to spend spare time reading and writing letters. He was Phi Beta Kappa at Iowa, member of several honor societies: Omicron Delta, Alpha Omega Alpha, also Phi Kappa Psi.

His W.W. II experiences started as a member of the Reserve (Medical), being called up in 1941 and sent to England to a hospital for training and indoctrination. He later went to North Africa with the Expeditionary Forces that were trying to dislodge Rommel and the Nazi’s from Tangier and Egypt. Following Africa, he returned to Army Hospitals in New England until discharge in 1946 and resumption of his residency at Mayo Clinic. Like most of us, he had many unique wartime experiences long remembered but seldom mentioned after peace came down.

After leaving the Clinic in 1949, he returned to Des Moines with his wife Benji and family, entering private practice with his father Dan, Sr. in the Equitable Building. Dan, Sr. was tired and aging, working double shifts all during W.W. II like all old generation doctors and was delighted to have help.

After Dan, Sr. retired, Doctor Crowley, Jr. moved out of the Equitable building and maintained a solo practice at various addresses until he also retired in 1985. He practiced as a general and thoracic surgeon throughout his career. He had “rights” in all three private hospitals and went to Broadlawns occasionally on call. He held various staff offices from time to time and was President of Mercy Staff in 1957. He was active in the Polk County Medical Society, and served as President in 1963. He also held memberships with the Iowa Medical Society, the AMA and the American College of Surgeons. He maintained a private consulting practice for over 40 years working with many local physicians who were his medical friends.

His consulting advice was always good, well considered and expertly delivered in a quiet, relaxed, reassuring manner that put suffering patients at ease, confident that help was at hand.

His life was not all military, medical and office work. The Crowley family belonged to Wakonda Club for several generations and they enjoyed the active and social life there. Dan played golf regularly with a tour of old friends for many years until he could no longer walk the course – even with aid of a cart. It was a sad day when he had to hang up his clubs!

His life was quiet, warm and enjoyable surrounded by family, children and friends. He is survived by his wife, Benji (Elaine), son John and wife, Mary Pat and granddaughter Kathy. His daughter Cathy Saylor and her children, Dan Saylor and Cathleen Saylor. It has always been a close family…enjoying each other and spending time together whenever life and work permitted.