Dr. Charles H. Read, Jr. Obituary

Dr. Charles H. Read, Jr.

July 22, 1918 - February 21, 2016
Iowa

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Free Medical Clinic
2440 Towncrest Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240

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Iowa City, IA 52240
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“Charles was a great friend and he loved life and lived it to the fullest. It was a true privilege to be considered his friend. His annual visits...Read More » ”
1 of 23 | Posted by: Kelvin Ogilvie - Friend

“Don and I and our family extend our sincere condolences to all members of the Charles Read family on the passing of our dear uncle Charles. We...Read More » ”
2 of 23 | Posted by: Don & Carol McStravick - Ottawa

“Warm wishes and condolences at this time of loss.Dr. Read was the pediatric endocrinologist whom I worked with when I was the pediatric dietitian at...Read More » ”
3 of 23 | Posted by: Cora Kurtz - Gainesville, FL

“what a great loss. We first met DR. Read in 1973. our 14 year old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.. We had a lot of great visits with DR. We...Read More » ”
4 of 23 | Posted by: virginia white - manchester, IA

“Feeling blessed for having met Dr Read during his summer journeys to Prince Edward Island early in my career in pediatrics. He shared his passion for...Read More » ”
5 of 23 | Posted by: A friend

“To Professor Chunghi Choo and the Read Family, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers. A Poem In Memory of Doctor Read Your life is like a tall...Read More » ”
6 of 23 | Posted by: Michael Chan - Iowa City, IA

“Connie,Thinking of you and your family.Blessings, Carla ”
7 of 23 | Posted by: Carla Walters McMillan - IA

“I had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Read when he came into the Sports Clinic to do his workout. I loved hearing all of his interesting stories...Read More » ”
8 of 23 | Posted by: Arda Lucas - Coralville, IA

“Judith, My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. May fond memories of your Father bring you comfort. Looking back on such a long...Read More » ”
9 of 23 | Posted by: Michael Finley - Iowa City, IA

“Proud of my uncle Charles. You've earned your rest. God bless youow and always. ”
10 of 23 | Posted by: Margaret Stewart - Truro

“I worked in Dr. Read's lab on growth hormone assays along with Herb Hetzler and Dr. Duncan McMillan. Dr. Read was a kind and caring person who was...Read More » ”
11 of 23 | Posted by: Sandra Little Hanson - Solon, IA

“Dr. Read was one of my best professors during my pediatric residency, 1971-74, and became my mentor in diabetes care. Dr. Read made sense of...Read More » ”
12 of 23 | Posted by: Julianne Thomas, MD - IA

“Charles helped us when we were very concerned about one of our grandchildren's growth. His reassurances meant years less of worry, and the knowledge...Read More » ”
13 of 23 | Posted by: Lois Jecklin - Washington, DC

“Dr. Read was an amazing person and set the gold bar for being a truly CARING doctor! In a nutshell, he saved my life because of his years of...Read More » ”
14 of 23 | Posted by: A friend

“i have always had a great respect and affection for Charles and his work for over fifty years I have known him. He will truly assend ”
15 of 23 | Posted by: Rudolph Galask MD - Iowa City, IA

“I first met Charles at North Dodge Athletic Club. I thought he was adorable and was always so upbeat and happy! Charles always had something to...Read More » ”
16 of 23 | Posted by: Shelly Kerr - Iowa City, IA

“I served on the state board of the American Diabetes Association with Dr. Read back in the 70's. He was most helpful and encouraging to parents of...Read More » ”
17 of 23 | Posted by: Karl and Jan Moe - Waverly, IA

“Sorry to hear that Charles has past. It has been awhile since we have seem him, which is good for him. He was always a straight forward person and...Read More » ”
18 of 23 | Posted by: Vic's Auto Body Repair - IA

“Dr. Read diagnosed me with Hyperthyroidism at age 9, when many other doctors thought my symptoms were ADHD. I was the youngest person he had ever...Read More » ”
19 of 23 | Posted by: Kristin Cannon - Iowa City, IA

“Charles is fondly remembered by me. ”
20 of 23 | Posted by: Miles Weinberger - Encinitas, CA

“My late husband Bill and I were friends of Charles from the Unitarian Universalist Society, and we were also neighbors, for a number of years, of his...Read More » ”
21 of 23 | Posted by: Caryl Lyons - North Liberty, IA

“We were Unitarian Universalist friends of Charles. We moved to Iowa City in 1993 and met him soon after. Our son Niall was 10 and had had diabetes...Read More » ”
22 of 23 | Posted by: Theresa Ullerich - Iowa City, IA

“I learned today of the passing of my friend and fellow photographer, Dr. Charles Read. He created a portfolio of photographs over a period of many...Read More » ”
23 of 23 | Posted by: Richard Sjolund - Solon, IA

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Dr. Charles Read died peacefully on February 21, 2016 surrounded by family. He was born on July 22, 1918 in Amherst, Nova Scotia.

From an early age, he had a passion for the life sciences and for the health and welfare of others. This prompted him to study medicine at McGill College of Medicine in Montreal, Canada where he graduated in 1943. Charles subsequently served as a flight surgeon on the first Canadian aircraft carrier during World War II surviving a torpedo attack in the North Atlantic. After the war, he practiced medicine for a short time as a rural family physician in Prince Edward Island, Canada. This period of his life was documented in his memoir This Navy Doctor Came Ashore.
In 1946, Charles obtained a residency in Pediatrics at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal where his interest in endocrine disorders first peaked. He continued his investigation into this area as a Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University until 1951. Subsequently, he became an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in Pediatrics. During this time, he developed the "Constant Carbohydrate Diet" for people suffering from diabetes.

Charles was appointed Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Iowa in 1954. In addition to a long career in clinical practice, he devised a treatment program for Southeast Asian diabetics, developed the first method for measuring human growth hormone, investigated the role of lipids in causing arteriosclerosis and developed the insulin assay.
Charles was also instrumental in setting up the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic and Dental Clinic with medical residents and nurses in 1971. This clinic was innovative in providing free medical care for all.

Living every day to its fullest was the mantra of his life. After retiring in 1987, he traveled extensively and captured exquisite scenes through his exploration of photography. He played tennis well into his eighties, made yearly treks to his favorite summer location, Prince Edward Island, with his family and until recently, attended every home Iowa Hawkeye football game and many Bowl games.

Charles is survived by his devoted wife, Chunghi Choo, his daughters, Patricia Read Botthof (Richard) Naples, Florida, Judy Guernsey, Halifax, Canada, Susan Read (Glenn Mazer) Victoria, Canada, Connie (Charles) Hippee, Iowa City and son, Charles Read III, Toronto, Canada, six grandchildren, (Kimberly, Nick, Read, Alaine, Anna and Camilla) and great grandchild (Kailey).
His first wife, Anne C.Greig Read, died in 2005.

We will all miss Charles dearly and feel fortunate that we had a father, husband and a friend who embraced life so fully and encouraged us to pursue our life ambitions to the greatest extent possible.

There will be a private family service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic.. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com.

Memories & Candles

Page: 3 of 3

My late husband Bill and I were friends of Charles from the Unitarian Universalist Society, and we were also neighbors, for a number of years, of his daughter Connie Hippee and her husband and their three daughters. We enjoyed Charles so much and one of his photographs hangs above the piano in my dining room. I have enjoyed reading his books about his early naval experiences, and I will miss his enthusiasm and hid warm and affable personality.
I would

... more

Posted by: Caryl Lyons - North Liberty, IA - Friend Feb 23, 2016

We were Unitarian Universalist friends of Charles. We moved to Iowa City in 1993 and met him soon after. Our son Niall was 10 and had had diabetes since he was 23 months old. It was a joy to our family to meet and know Dr. Reed who had developed the Constant Carbohydrate Diet that we had lived by since Niall's diagnosis. Niall and Charles got to know each other on a UU mushroom hunting event. We will miss him.

Posted by: Theresa Ullerich - Iowa City, IA - Acquaintance Feb 23, 2016

I learned today of the passing of my friend and fellow photographer, Dr. Charles Read. He created a portfolio of photographs over a period of many years, and we worked together to turn the images into prints and large canvases that hang in galleries, offices, and public buildings. I enjoyed our times together and our shared experiences. I will miss him.

Posted by: Richard Sjolund - Solon, IA - Friend Feb 23, 2016

Page: 3 of 3

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Dr. Charles H. Read, Jr. Obituary

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