Richard F. “Doc” Coatney was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s second-largest city, but he devoted his entire career to providing care and volunteering in small-town Iowa. The 1960 graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (COMS), now DMU, and DMU emeritus trustee died on Nov. 11, 2012. After his internship at Wilden Hospital in Des Moines and postgraduate work in surgery at COMS, Dr. Coatney practiced a year in Lake View, IA, and then had a private practice for five years in Earling. In 1968, he was recruited to Anita, IA, where he was in private practice 27 years. He joined the Atlantic Medical Clinic in 1995 and retired five years later.
Dr. Coatney embraced his communities as a member of the Lions Club, Anita Chamber of Commerce and Booster Club, two bank boards and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Anita City Council for eight years and as medical director of the Anita and Adair Volunteer Fire Department. He also was physician for the area’s Little Britches Rodeo for 25 years.
Dr. Coatney served his profession as well, as a member of the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, Iowa Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic Board of General Practice (AOBGP) and American Academy of Family Practice. He was AOBGP-certified and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice.
Dr. Coatney was a member of the DMU Board of Trustees from 1979 to 1997. He was appointed emeritus trustee in 1997.
