Dr. Richard K Reams

Dr. Richard K Reams, 76, known to many as Dr. Dick, passed away at his home in North Liberty, Iowa on March 10, 2025, surrounded by family. Dr. Reams had suffered from multiple medical concerns succumbing to heart failure, osteomyelitis, and an additional bacterial infection resulting in his need for hospice care at the end. Dr. Reams was known for his unwavering and steadfast commitment to prioritizing and caring for his patients as a family physician in New Hampton, Iowa then in Tucson, Arizona, often times in the family kitchen or wherever a patient may need him.

Dr. Reams was the second child born to Richard D. and Opal Reams in Waterloo, Iowa on June 3, 1948. Raised on a small dairy farm with hogs and chickens, Dr. Reams was no stranger to hard work and determination. He went to school at Plainfield High School and graduated in 1966. He went on to earn Bachelor of Science then Doctor of Medicine degrees from The University of Iowa in 1970 and 1974 respectively. While at The University of Iowa, Dr. Reams greatly enjoyed playing trumpet in the Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band and serving briefly as a volunteer athletic trainer for the Iowa Hawkeye Football Team. Each football season, he wore his Iowa Lettermen’s Club ring gifted to him by the 1969 football team. Dr. Reams also treasured being able to come back and march as often as possible in the Iowa Homecoming parade with the Alumni “Fossils” Marching Band. His love of the Iowa Hawkeyes never waned.

After graduating from The University of Iowa College of Medicine, Dr. Reams entered the U.S. Navy serving at the Naval Base San Diego then the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines as a Lieutenant Commander and flight surgeon. He met the love of his life, Brita, a Lieutenant nurse serving in the Navy, while working at the same naval hospital in San Diego. They were married in Denver, Colorado in 1975 and after both were honorably discharged from the Navy in 1978, they moved to New Hampton, Iowa to settle with their family for 32 years. They moved to Tucson in 2010 and loved living in their dream home in the Foothills of Tucson Mountain Park among amazing friends until 2020 when they returned to Iowa to be close to their daughters, and most importantly, their six grandchildren, whom Dr. Reams, affectionately now known as Papa, adored being around.

Throughout his life, Dr. Reams enjoyed a variety of activities with his family and friends and in support of his community. Trips to Leech Lake for fishing, Lake Okoboji for boating, Minneapolis and the Mall of America with his girls and their friends for shopping, and of course, family vacations with his grandkids to Walt Disney World were highlights. He greatly appreciated the ability to be able to give back to his community and support those in need through various charities and donations, in particular Dr. Reams regularly found time to serve and volunteer at the Food Bank or Food Pantry. Dr. Reams was also very active in his churches in New Hampton and Tucson, singing in choirs, serving as an elder and deacon, and helping with communion, to name a few. One of the most enjoyable activities was singing in the quartet, ¾ Pro, in New Hampton, around Iowa, and at times, in various other states.

Dr. Richard Reams is survived by his wife, Brita; children, Dr. Angie Reams Schauper (Lynden), and Alicia Herring; his sister, Judith (Bill) Brandenburg, Evansdale, IA; his grandchildren, Henley and Haven Schauper, and Levi, Ava, Vera, and Sullivan Herring; nephew, David (Rebekah) Wendland; great nieces and nephews, Katelyn Wendland and her children, Sophia and Maddox, and Austin (Danielle) Wendland; former son-in-law, Tony Herring; and multiple family, friends, and wonderful patients.

Dr. Reams was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Opal Reams, and his mother-in-law, Myrna Brownfield.

Visitation with family will be held at Grace Community Church, 2707 S. Dubuque St, North Liberty, IA, 52317, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 1:30-3:30pm. A service honoring Dr. Reams will immediately follow the visitation. The family invites all to join them in a Celebration of Life and reception at Tin Roost, 840 W. Penn St, North Liberty, IA 52317, following the service at 4:30pm. A committal service will be held later this summer at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. An additional Celebration of Life to be held in New Hampton will be planned for a later date this summer.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorial donations may be made in Dr. Reams’ memory to the UI Student Emergency Fund or Student Life Food Pantry. Donations may be made online to the specific funds via www.givetoiowa.org or via mail to the UI Center for Advancement, Student Emergency Fund or Student Life Food Insecurity Fund, 1 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the amazing staff members at Keystone Place at Forevergreen in addition to Iowa City Hospice for their care and support during this challenging time.