Dr. Robert & Marilyn Kollmorgen

Teaching By Passing on Their Blessings

Nearly four decades ago, a young surgeon and his wife moved to Des Moines to begin their lives. Drawn to Iowa Methodist Medical Center because of its residence training program, Dr. Robert (Bob) Kollmorgen and his wife, Marilyn, quickly discovered an institution they could dedicate themselves to both professionally and personally.

"We've been very proud of our association with Methodist," says Marilyn. Bob couldn't agree more. "With a teaching institution, you attract a staff that is of high quality," he says. Over the span of his 30-year career, which included time as chief of surgery and chief of staff, Bob was able to learn from wonderful doctors while also guiding new residents.

Very much a team, Marilyn also worked tirelessly as a hospital volunteer. She recently retired from the UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Foundation Board after 24 years of service. "I wanted to see that we could get as many things done at the hospital as we could," she explains. "And much of that depends on philanthropy."

The benefits of charitable gifts are tremendous. "It upgrades the care," Bob says, "and it upgrades the facilities to keep up with ever-changing technology." With information and knowledge in medicine doubling every seven years, the need is constant.

When thinking about the institutions that helped define their lives, the Kollmorgens decided to take their commitment to Iowa Methodist and UnityPoint Health - Des Moines and support the next generations of physicians.

Bob and Marilyn established a named endowment to bring in renowned visiting professors for the surgery residency program. In addition, the Kollmorgens worked closely with the Foundation and an estate planning attorney to create an estate plan that provided for their family and all of the causes they wanted to help, including UnityPoint Health - Des Moines.

The impact of their annual gifts can be seen throughout the halls of the hospital through the programs and services they have supported. Now, because of their foresight, their legacy will live on for years to come.

"We like to give something back because of all the blessings we've received from the community."

-Dr. Robert (Bob) Kollmorgen