Michael L. Long

West Des Moines formerly of Mason City

Dr. Michael Lindsay Long, 70, passed away peacefully in Ames, Iowa on May 16, 2015, following a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dianne (Koenen) Long; brother, Dr. Steven Long (Judy Johnson) of Stillwater, MN; son, Craig Long (Jina Wattnem) of West Des Moines, Iowa; daughters, Sarah Long of Tucson, Arizona and Suzanne Long of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Henry and Anna Long of West Des Moines; and niece, Dr. Rachael Long (Nick Schroeder); and a host of loving family and friends.

Dr. Long was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on December 17, 1944, and was raised in Eagle Grove, Iowa. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Hansen Long and Mary Agnes (Lindsay) Long.

Mike graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1963. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa and graduated Alpha Omega Alpha from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1970. Dr. Long did his internship at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then served as a general medical officer in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Following his discharge from the military, Mike did his residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1976, Dr. Long spent several months in Kaduna, Nigeria, performing volunteer surgical services for the Guinness Foundation and worked at the Medgar Evers Comprehensive Health Center in Fayette, Mississippi.

In 1976, Mike moved to Mason City, Iowa, where he was one of the founders of the North Iowa Eye Clinic. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1992, Mike continued to see patients in a non¬surgical capacity until 1997; he was passionate about his work, loved medicine, adored his staff, and especially loved all his patients. He kept photographs of many of them in his home office and would often tell his family stories of how strong and wonderful they all were, and how proud he was to be able to help so many people during his life.

A passionate Hawkeye fan, Mike was a member of the Dean's Club of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, a member of the President's Club of the University of Iowa, and a Golden Hawk in the National I¬-Club of the University of Iowa Foundation. He was prone to shout "Go Hawks!" whenever the mood struck him.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2015 at the Mason City Country Club. In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family asks that you make a donation in his memory to either The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.