Douglas Workman
March 18, 2015
Douglas Workman, 51, passed away on Wednesday March 18, 2015, surrounded by his loving family, after a lengthy, courageous battle with colon cancer. He was born December 26, 1963 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Doug graduated from Southeast Polk in 1982, and attended the University of Iowa where he received both his Bachelor's Degree in 1985 and his Doctor of Medicine Degree in 1989 from the College of Medicine. He went on to complete his Family Practice Residency in Davenport, Iowa, and worked in private practice in Bettendorf, Iowa for seven years. From 1999 up until the time of his death, he was employed by Broadlawns Medical Center. In that time, he taught at the Family Practice Residency Program for nine years and founded the Primary Care Clinic in 2008, where he served as Section Chief. He looked forward to going to work at Broadlawns every day.
Doug was a lifelong learner. He served two terms on the Southeast Polk School Board, and was the Caucus Chairman of his precinct several times. Additionally, he was a committee member of the Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, and was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Iowa, College of Medicine.
Doug was a man of faith and lived his life exemplifying Christ. He was passionate about spreading the Gospel of Christ and went on several medical mission trips to foreign countries. He loved his work with the refugee population in the Des Moines area as well.
Doug was a kind, gracious, and humble man whose character was defined by his integrity. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a true optimist. Despite a grim prognosis, he continued to be a positive role model and community leader. Doug loved being outside, and enjoyed hunting, hiking, biking, doing triathlons, reading, playing the drums, MMA, and riding his Harley. He loved spending time with his friends, his DWWS Breakfast Club, and traveling abroad. Above all else, he loved spending time with his wife, children, and family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Joann; son, Drew Workman; daughter, Abigail Workman; parents, Lewis and Sally Workman; sisters, Diane (Fred) Holt and Deborah (Todd) Newby; brothers- and sisters-in-law, John Naughton, Steve (Lizy) Naughton, Kathy (Rick) Wozniak and Mary (Steve) Sieloff; nieces and nephews, Amy Holt, Heidi and Jill Newby, Ben and Josh Wozniak, and Tyler and Nathan Sieloff.
Visitation will be Monday, March 23, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th St. SW in Altoona. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 24th at the church with burial to follow at Rising Sun Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Tom Buroker and the staff of Powell 3 for their compassionate care.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: Colon Cancer Coalition (coloncancercoalition.org), Opportunity International (opportunity.org) or Xponent Ministries (xponentministries.org).
*The family wishes to invite everyone to wear brightly-colored clothing to celebrate Doug’s life.
On-line condolences to
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Angela McMillan
10/23/2017
I am still crushed about the passing of such a beautiful soul. He treated me as if I was a good friend and not just a patient. He is truly missed.
Kim Marsh
04/27/2015
Dr. Workman was my doctor at Broadlawns. He was the best and you could tell he was a Christian by his concern and countenance. We always had great chats about mission trips both of us had been on. I wish I would have been able to attend the visitation but only just got the notice from Broadlawns last week. I am so sad but rejoicing he is with his Lord, Jesus. I pray God will comfort your family in this time of loss.
Nancy Merrifield
04/22/2015
I am so sorry for your loss.Dr.Workman was my Doctor and he was a wonderful Doctor and a wonderful man!!!! May God bless you and keep you through this time of loss and grief!!!!
Frank Cordaro - DM Catholic Worker
04/19/2015
Returning to DM and just now finding out that Dr Doug Workman died last month... bummer! He was my Dr for several years. Loved his Spirit and real concern for the people he served. He will be missed..
DMCW
http://dmcatholicworker.org
DeAnna Sturtevant
04/18/2015
Doctor Workman was my doctor for more than half my life not only did he protect and watch over me, but he did the same for my mother til she passed. He was a truly kind and amazing man that you knew truly cared and wasn't just there to pay the bills. He had a great mind, a wonderful heart and a great sense of humor. I don't know what the world will do without him.
Brian and Patty Hines
04/12/2015
We were stunned when we heard of Dr. Workman's passing. My wife was a long time patient of his and I can honestly say she would not be here if it weren't for Dr. Workman. After a series of 3 heart surgeries to replace a bad Aortic valve, then repair th same valve, the replace the valve again when it came loose, Dr. Workman found that my wife had a rare clotting disorder that basically made her blood appear OK on blood tests but was actually thicker and susceptible to blood clots forming if left untreated. He was kind of excited to have found this as it was the only case he had ever diagnosed!
He was so kind and had such a great sense of humor and was so knowledgeable on all of my wife's medical conditions. He called her one of his most "difficult patients because everything she had made him think and challenged him and his knowledge" which I think he enjoyed! He was always up for the challenge and we shared laughs about my "difficult" wife!
I cannot imagine anyone filling his shoes. There will be other doctors, but there will never be another Dr. Douglas Workman. We both will miss him soooo very much.
Mick & Lavona Webb
03/25/2015
Our sincere condolences to the Workman Family. We had the privilege of knowing Doug through baseball when our grandson played all those years. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Sharon and Tom Irwin
03/24/2015
Sally, Lewis, and the whole Workman family, we are so sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God's angels watch over all of you and your family.
Denis Wolf-Keith
03/24/2015
I met Dr. Workman when he took over for Dr. Steinman at Broadlawns in the early 90's. Doug had been my Dr.,(along with Dr. Kim Countryman), for decades. I just saw him in February. I will miss Doug, deeply. He was a light-hearted and caring man. My heart-felt condolences go out to his family and many friends. Rest In Peace, dear man. ;( :(
Patricia Walker
03/24/2015
Dr. Workman was the best Dr. I ever had, he helped me get back on my feet and helped me become me again. Prayers to the family. What a loss.
Michelle Harban
03/24/2015
I met Dr. Workman for the first time as a new nurse at Broadlawns Medical Center. I was in awe listening to stories of his travels to Africa for medical missionary work. During one of his Africa conversations he mentioned that "we" should join him on his next trip. Doug lead, encouraged, and supported 4 nurses from the Broadlawns Med Surg department in making that journey to Africa in 2007. I had the honor of working with Dr. Workman in a make-shift medical clinic in Kilifi Kenya. Seeing illness's in front of our eyes that you could only read about in textbooks if only ever practicing in the states. That trip was one of the most rewarding moments in my nursing career. I am so thankful that Dr. Workman saw to it that the 4 of us nurses accompany him. He was a great teacher and such a kind man. Joann, Drew, and Abby I am so sorry for your loss.
Kristin Williams (Former BMC employee)
03/24/2015
Dr. Workman was never seen without a smile on his face. One of the most nicest, most compassionate doctors I know! I was blessed to get to work with him! Praying comfort for his family.
Gary McKibben
03/24/2015
I'm very saddened to hear of Doug's passing. I knew him through triathlon and the Altoona Campus and we traveled together to a triathlon in CR a few years back. As the obituary stated, truly a man of integrity. He will be greatly missed. Prayers to his family and friends.
Andrew Maikos
03/23/2015
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. You have lost a wonderful man as I have lost a wonderful cousin. I will always cherish the great times we spent together as kids and keep those fond memories close to my heart. Doug will be greatly missed. Love to you all.
Shelli(Flanagan) and Chad Bridges
03/23/2015
Our thoughts and prayers to all of you as you mourn your loss. Doug was such a prankster at Four Mile and always had a smile. Chad played basketball with him at the Campus and got to know him there. Please know we are praying for and ask God to comfort and console you during this time.