Eugene Wesley Young passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa with his family at his side. A visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 10, 2022 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
Eugene W. Young was born on Dec 7, 1932, in Exline, Iowa to Wesley and Mary (Carter) Young. He graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1950, and then attended Drake University from 1950-1954 where he met the love of his life, Nancy Smith. Gene and Nancy were married on August 1, 1953, in the state of New York and had a 48-year marriage until Nancy’s death in 2002.
“Gene,” as he was known to his friends, enlisted in the Iowa National Guard in 1949. He attended ROTC at Drake University until his commission in 1954 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force where he served as a navigator. The couple moved to Iowa City in 1957 where Gene attended the University of Iowa and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1962. Upon graduation from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, the couple settled in Des Moines where Gene opened a successful dental practice and raised four children. He served as a dental officer in the Iowa National Guard from 1964-1992. During his military service, he held multiple command positions and retired as a Brigadier General in the Iowa National Guard.
During his career, Gene developed the extramural program for The University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where senior dental students rotated through and gained experience at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. He served as the dental director at Broadlawns until his retirement.
Other achievements in Gene’s life included developing the DMACC Dental Assisting Program and being instrumental in the development of the first dental hygiene program in the Des Moines area through DMACC. He was also active in the Northwest Des Moines Rotary Club and a founding member of the Johnston Rotary Club.
Gene and Nancy loved to travel. Their favorite destinations were Hawaii and Mexico. Gene spent his retirement years in Matlacha, Florida and Russell, Iowa. He loved his family, fishing, camping and putzing in his garage workshop.
Gene is survived by his four children, Philip (Patti) Young of Panora, IA, Jeffrey (Janet) Young of Westminster, CO, Mary (Brad) Peterson of Maple Grove, MN and Kimberly (Kevin) Kretsch of Superior, CO; grandchildren, Chase Young of Des Moines, IA, Amy (Scott) Pohlson of Vermillion, SD, Brandon (Laura) Young of Parker, CO, Lauren (Tyler) Sparks of Erie, CO, Kelsey ( Andy) Bryant of Iowa City, IA, Abbie (Justin) DeYonge of Maple Grove, MN, Erin (Adam) Labat of Two Harbors, MN, Adam (Melanie) Peterson of Maple Grove, MN, Tristan Kretsch of Cedar Rapids, IA and Tyler Kretsch of Plymouth, WI; and many great grandchildren.
Gene will be remembered for his outgoing personality, wit, and unique sense of humor. He will be missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the following organizations: In support of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry’s Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550. On the memo line or on a note attached, please indicate "Gift in memory of Eugene Young." Credit card gifts can be made at givetoiowa.org or Des Moines Homeless Veterans, 1070 50th St, Unit 8E, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
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