Obituary of William F. Dostal

William Frank (Bill) Dostal, son of George F. and Margaret S. (Frye) Dostal was born on June 23, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa. He was the second of 4 boys. He graduated from Regina High School in 1960 and spent one year at St. Ambrose discerning the priesthood. Bill earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in physical therapy from The University of Iowa. He enlisted in the Army Medical Specialist Corps in 1967 as a physical therapist and served at Reynolds Army Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 1968 he married Janice (Piller) Dostal in Iowa City at St. Thomas More church. In 1969, after leaving the service, the couple and first-born son (Alan) moved to Ithaca, New York where he practiced physical therapy and worked as an anatomy lab instructor at Ithaca College. A second son (Thomas) was born in New York in 1970. In the summer of 1973 Bill and family returned to Iowa City where he began work on a PhD while practicing physical therapy in The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A third son (Stephen) was born in Iowa in 1974. Bill earned his doctorate in 1979 and continued work at UIHC as supervisor of the neuromuscular division of physical therapy. While working as a clinician Bill continued to contribute to his profession through teaching, research, publication and as a reviewer for professional journals. He retired from the University of Iowa in 2002 as an adjunct assistant professor.

Throughout his career Bill remained a loving husband to his wife and an involved, caring father to his children. He was a Little League coach, involved in his boys’ scouting activities as a scout leader, a Regina school board member, Booster Club member, member of the Knights of Columbus, and involved in many activities at St. Wenceslaus Church, including parish council and the Marriage Encounter movement. He always set a strong example through his life of service and dedication to his faith, his family and his community. Catholicism was Bill’s guiding principle. In his retirement he and Jan attended daily mass and remained involved in their parish. The couple loved traveling to Branson where their son performed at the Moon River Theater with Andy Williams. They also enjoyed their annual February trips to Florida.

In 2019 Bill became a resident in the memory care unit at Legacy Gardens. In March of 2023 he moved to Stirlingshire of Coralville. His wife was able to spend time with him daily. William passed away while under hospice care at Stirlingshire following complications related to having contracted the influenza virus.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Sue of Coralville, IA, one brother, John (Julie) of St. Francisville, LA; his three sons Alan Joseph (Janann) of Dubuque, Iowa, Thomas William (Sheri Goodwin) of Edmonds, WA, and Stephen Francis (Michele) of Seattle, WA, and four grandchildren: Kalea and Liam (Dubuque), and Gavin and Matthew (Seattle).

He is preceded in death by two brothers, Robert G. and Thomas J. Thomas was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969.

In lieu of flowers, Bill had specified considering the following organizations for donation in his honor: Regina High School, The Foundation for the American Physical Therapy Association, St.Wenceslaus Parish of Iowa City, and the Knights of Columbus (St. Wenceslaus Parish Council #14385).

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2024, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at St. Josephs Cemetery in Iowa City.  There will be a time of visitation at the church from 9am till services with a Knights of Columbus Rosary recited beginning at 10am.  To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.