Obituaries : Norman K Rinderknecht MD

Norman K Rinderknecht MD (1934- 2025)

Norman Rinderknecht, 91, entered eternal life peacefully on October 15, 2025. Born in Atkins, Iowa to Arnold and Catherine Rinderknecht on March 5, 1934,

Norm grew up among many family and friends in Atkins and was a graduate of Atkins High School. He attended and graduated from the University of Iowa.

Norm married his high school sweetheart, Eloise Hagan, on September 3, 1955. He graduated from medical school at the University of Iowa in 1958, then spent four years in the US Army Medical Corps before returning to the University of Iowa Hospital in 1962 for residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Norm came to Des Moines in 1965 and joined Drs. Parker Hughes and Richard Moore in OB-GYN private practice. He was very involved in medical staff activities at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and was President of the Medical Staff 1976-1977.

During his more than three decades providing women's health care to central Iowa, he also chaired state, regional and national committees of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). He was District VI Chairman and a member of the ACOG Executive Board from 1986-1989. ACOG recognized his exceptional contributions to the District with an Outstanding District Service Award in 1996. Norm retired from medical practice in 1998. He represented the College of Medicine on the University of Iowa Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1994-1999.

Norm was a devout Lutheran and active in the church. He was a long-time member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale, Iowa. Norm enjoyed hosting and spending time with family and friends. He and Eloise travelled extensively both in the US and abroad with many trips to Hawaii, Europe, St. Croix, and Mexico. He liked golfing with a close group of friends as a member of Des Moines Golf & Country Club. Norm was a passionate Hawkeye fan and attended many football and basketball games.

Most of all, Norm was always thankful for his many God-given blessings, particularly his Christian faith, his wife Eloise of 70 years, his family, and the opportunity to practice his chosen profession in Des Moines and central Iowa. Norm lived a full life, putting faith, family and friends above all else.

He is survived by his wife, Eloise, and a loving family. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Randy (Jennifer) Rinderknecht, Stephen (Danette) Rinderknecht, and Kimberly (Leif) Erickson. Seven grandchildren survive him: Erin (Drew) Van Woert, R Gordon Rinderknecht, Alyssa (Nathan) Mauch, Audrey (Nick) Sanchez, Briana (Christopher) Riddell, Adam (Ariel) Erickson, Nolan Rinderknecht, and eight great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 9:30 am to 11:00 am on October 25. 2025 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale and funeral services will be held at the church on October 25th, 2025 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale, IA; Iowa Methodist Health Foundation; or the Norman K Rinderknecht, MD Faculty Support Fund (http://givetoiowa.org/rinderknecht) with the University of Iowa Foundation.