Dr. F. Dow Bates

Remembering the Life of Dr. F. Dow Bates
August 7, 1935 to November 15, 2025

Beloved Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend.

Having overcome cancer and expecting to live to 100, Dow sadly passed after an injury lead to infection, he fought courageously, but did not overcome. He passed at the age of 90 and is survived by his wife, Del, daughters, Deanna (Steve*), and Lisa, a niece, nephews and many many friends.

Dow was born in Des Moines Iowa on August 7, 1935, the son of Floyd D. Bates, Sr. and Marval Fern Catlin. There he grew up and enjoyed caring for his many animals, dog, horse, cow, pig and chickens. He enjoyed being a Boy Scout and proud to become an Eagle Scout, carrying with him the values he learned. He attended Des Moines Technical High School studying Broadcast Engineering, and graduating with a broadcast engineering certification. Dow then enrolled and attended Iowa State University in the electrical engineering program. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, which lead to sustaining a knee injury for which he sought care from the family chiropractor. Having such a positive experience with chiropractic care, he changed his course of study, and after completing his prerequisites, enrolled at Northwestern College of Chiropractic (Now Northwestern Health Sciences University) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was there in Minneapolis where he met the love of his life, Adele (“Del”) Borgstrom. They met at the clothes line at the apartment building where they both happened to live, and he asked her out for pie and coffee. They were married in 1958, also the year he graduated with the degree, Doctor of Chiropractic. The couple moved to Des Moines where he went into practice with his family chiropractor, Dr. Susan Schaus, eventually taking over her practice when she retired. Del worked at Home Federal Savings and Loan as an executive secretary, until their first child was born in 1959. She then went to work with Dow at their practice, Bates Chiropractic Clinic, as office manager, where they worked and served the Des Moines community for over sixty years. They were a team, and very involved in the community, the chiropractic profession (both locally and nationally), area business community organizations, Staves Memorial United Methodist Church, and the Boy Scout Council. Dow was a member of the Highland Park Kiwanis Club where he never missed a meeting for years.
After completing his education and starting into chiropractic practice, Dow furthered his education particularly in the areas of nutrition, radiology and orthopedics, and became a leader in the profession, for the benefit of chiropractic physicians and the patients they serve. He achieved diplomate status in Chiropractic Orthopedics and was honored as a Fellow with the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedics and was President of the Iowa Society of Chiropractic Orthopedics. Dow was also recognized as a Fellow with the International College of Chiropractors for his service to the profession. He was a charter member of the American Chiropractic Association and later became state delegate and he served on the ACA Board of Governors, and also served on ACA Councils on Orthopedics, Physiotherapy and Diagnostic Imaging. Dow was appointed to the Iowa Board of Chiropractic Examiners where he served as chair, and also served on the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. He won many Distinguished Service awards over the years from his alma mater and from the Iowa Chiropractic Society. He became a trustee at his alma mater, Northwestern Health Sciences University, and also served on inspection teams going to chiropractic colleges across the country for their re-accreditation. Dow was very active in the Iowa Chiropractic Society, serving on or chairing several committees (Legislative, Peer Review, Legal Council Liason, and Credit Union Board for decades). He served as president of the Iowa Chiropractic Society, and was honored in 2023 by the organization with a Champion of Chiropractic Award.

Dow’s most important professional service was in the care he provided to his patients. This was the motivation for all of his other professional activities and achievements.

Dow worked tirelessly at the local, state and national level advocating for healthcare access and equality and he and Del were well known for their good work from Des Moines to the nation’s capital. Dow was a friend to all, an encourager and a connector, believing there was always room at the table for someone in need or someone to be heard.

With family he particularly enjoyed camping and boating especially navigating up the Mississippi River around the wing dams and through locks. Through the years he continued to enjoy many animal family members, including dogs, cats and horses. He and Del traveled all over the country, but his most favorite place to be was with Del, holding hands in their own back yard.

As a proud Eagle Scout and good human being, he always endeavored to leave every campsite better than he found it.

Please join in honor and celebration of the life of Dr. F. Dow Bates for a casual visit time at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens 121 NW 60th Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50313 (515)289-2442 on Thursday July 9, 2026 from 4 to 7 pm. Light refreshments, including pie and coffee will be served.
Donations can be made locally in his honor to “Parks Area Foundation” (serving the Northside/and Highland/Oak Park area including Riverview Park) 1012 Oak Park Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50313 and Scouting America Mid-Iowa Council online at scouting.org/council/177/appeal/974

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