Liberato "Bert" A. Iannone

Born in Canada on March 13, 1941, and raised in Auburn, New York, Bert was the son of a working-class Italian immigrant who’d left school after the third grade. This upbringing instilled in him a relentless drive and a deep respect for education, a path that ultimately led him to the top of his field in medicine.

After earning his bachelor’s from Niagara University and his medical degree from SUNY Buffalo in 1967, Bert served in the U.S. Army as a cardiology fellow at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His career then took him to El Paso, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Dee. In 1974, they moved their family to Des Moines, the city where he would build his life and leave an incredible mark.

As Medical Director of the cardiac cath lab at Iowa Heart, Bert was a true pioneer. He performed Iowa's first-ever coronary angioplasty in 1979, a landmark moment for heart care in the state. Over a long and dedicated career, he performed tens of thousands of procedures and became known for his incredible skill, speed, and steady hand. His unshakable confidence put even the most nervous patients at ease, and he loved to joke with those recovering well, telling them with a grin, “Your heart is strong enough to run a marathon-but don’t.”

That same confidence made him a natural leader and a calming presence for his colleagues. A patient and good-humored teacher, he generously shared his knowledge with anyone eager to learn, mentoring countless physicians and staff. His passion for medicine was infectious; his work was truly his calling. The cath lab was like a second home, a place his children fondly remember visiting.

At home, Bert was just as much a force of nature-a gregarious, joke-cracking hero to his children. He filled their lives with unforgettable, chaotic, and fun-filled trips everywhere from the Lake of the Ozark’s and Cape Cod to ski slopes, Disney, and Europe, memories they will cherish forever.

He brought that same intensity to everything he did. An avid ham radio operator, he made his backyard tower a local landmark. For years, he raised pigeons and loved nothing more than being outdoors, whether pheasant hunting at Doc’s Dogs (where he’d always quip, “Never trust a doctor who brings their own dog”), deep-sea fishing, or deer hunting. The cross-country motorcycle trips he took with his sons were especially unforgettable bonding experiences. His projects were often family affairs, and his kids have fond memories of being recruited for everything from tending the pigeons to maintaining his gear.

Bert was preceded in death by his daughter, Sonya Heilmann. He is survived by Dee, his wife of 52 years; his children, Timothy Iannone (Evonne), Christopher Iannone (Dianne), Sophia Iannone, Joseph Iannone (Priscilla), and Dr. Alex Iannone (Lori); as well as 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801 19th St., West Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Augustin Catholic Church, 545 42nd St., Des Moines with burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.