Dr. Charles “Brownie” Skaugstad
Dr. Charles “Brownie” Skaugstad
Iowa City
Dr. Charles Aaron Skaugstad, MD, age 92, died peacefully on August 5, 2024, surrounded by his family.
He was born February 8, 1932, in Bode, Iowa to Ralph and Albie (Tufte) Skaugstad. Affectionally nicknamed ‘Brownie’ as a child by his five older siblings, he grew up on a farm and in his family’s funeral home.
He attended Humboldt schools, where he was active in sports, music and served as Senior Class President. He then went on to the University of Iowa before being drafted into the military during the Korean war. He had a short stint in the funeral home business in Monticello, before returning to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa Medical School and later completing his family medicine residency at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines.
He was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Marilyn Mosbach, on December 28, 1953.
He joined Dr. Philip McLaughlin in medical practice in Coralville and spent his career caring for patients from across Eastern Iowa. He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lifetime Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Johnson County Medical Society, Iowa City Noon Rotary and served on numerous boards and charitable organizations. He was a skilled handyman and woodworker and always loved a good ‘project.’
He was especially devoted to making the lives of Iowa children better. He helped spearhead the creation of the Iowa Children’s Museum and founded Safety Village, a summer camp where over 5,000 children have learned about safety in a hands-on way. He loved catching up with old patients, enjoyed current events and politics and never missed an opportunity to tell his family how blessed he was.
He is survived by his two children – Lizabeth (John) Baker of Hinsdale, Illinois and Charles (Sheryl) Skaugstad, Jr. of Iowa City; four grandchildren – Brett (Bryan) Watson, JL (Michaela) Baker, Charles ‘Trey’ Skaugstad, III and Chaston (Paul) Fisher; six great-grandchildren – Beckett, Beau and Banks Watson, Jack and James Baker and Grayson Fisher; brother Dean (Shirley) Skaugstad, brother-in-law Lawrence (Shirley) Mosbach, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Marilyn, his parents and sisters Juane Jensen, Roberta (Tom) Sawyer, Garnet (Walter) Schlievert, Phyllis (Duke) Edge and infant sister, Alicia Skaugstad.
A private family burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. A Celebration of Life for both Brownie and Marilyn will be held on October 5, 2024. Memorials may be directed to Safety Village or the Iowa Children’s Museum.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.