Dr. Stanley O. Cejka Jr., 90, died Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at his home in Mesa, Arizona. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom from 4:00-7:00 PM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories at 1:00 PM. A livestream of the service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Dr. Stanley O. Cejka Jr., under the video tab starting at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 2, 2021.  

Stan was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1930 and lived there 70 years prior to moving to Arizona in 2000 with his beloved wife of 30 years, Clarissa. The only child of Stanley and Bessie (Schultz) Cejka, Stan attended Johnson Elementary and Franklin High School, graduating in 1949. After attending Coe College, Stan entered the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1952. Upon graduation in 1956, Stan and his first wife Bonnie (O’Neill) and daughter Cathie left Iowa City for Ft. Hood, Texas, where Stan served honorably in the Army Dental Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. He returned to Cedar Rapids with his young family—now including another daughter, Susan—and established his dental practice (ultimately to become The Dental Center) in 1959. Stan and Bonnie’s son Chris was born in 1962. Stan was remarried to Clarissa Langan Paulson in 1991, welcoming stepson Tad Paulson into his family.

Stan loved the dental profession, and he loved his patients. He was a meticulous, caring dentist and continued to hear from former patients long after his retirement. However—as anyone who knew Stan is aware—he had additional defining interests: Golden Retrievers, the game of golf, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and artistic creation. 

Stan was passionate about Golden Retrievers, adopting his first Golden puppy as a dental student. His family shared the companionship of Goldens for the rest of his life. Whatever the weather, Stan could be found walking his dogs around the neighborhood or on nature trails. He and Clari took their “girls” on many a cross-country car trip, stopping for dogs-posed-against-landmarks photos along the way.  In retirement, Stan was proud to volunteer for Rescue a Golden of Arizona.

A longtime member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club (where he served as caddy master in younger days), Stan dependably headed out for a few holes of golf after work. He enjoyed the camaraderie of many foursomes over the years. His passionate interest in golf continued in Arizona, where he took lessons at renowned golf academies and hosted good friends from Cedar Rapids for golf vacations. He had the pleasure of playing the great golf courses of Scotland and Ireland, achieving remarkable scores on challenging, windy courses. He was engrossed in the game, playing actively for over 60 years.

Athletics engaged Stan throughout his life, as a participant and a spectator. As a boy, he ran for the sheer joy of it, whether he was accompanying his bicycling father home from work or racing home from school for lunch.  In his teens, he organized sports as a playground supervisor. Stan lettered in track at Coe College. Relocating to Iowa City for dental school, he inevitably became a Hawkeye fan. Football Saturdays in Iowa City, tailgating, road trips to away games, an afternoon watching the game on TV—he enjoyed them all. Postgame discussions and analyses with friends were a vital part of the process. He was unshakeable in his belief that the Hawks had one coach in their history surpassing all others: Coach Forest Evashevski. He also followed the Hawkeyes on the court. His spoke of the unforgettable privilege of having season tickets for Hawkeye basketball games in the Old Field House, watching superb players coached by Ralph Miller.  After retirement, he continued to follow Iowa football and basketball in the company of other Arizona Hawkeyes.

Stan was fortunate to inherit artistic interests and talents from his parents. His mother Bessie played piano in her nephew’s traveling band, “Stan Stanley’s Aristocrats.” Stan developed a love of the big band sound as his family traveled the upper Midwest on working vacations with the band in the 1930’s.  He continued to enjoy live concerts of favorite band leaders, jazz musicians, and singers throughout his life.   

His father Stanley Sr. excelled at drawing, a talent he passed on to Stan. A gifted natural sketch artist from childhood, Stan also painted remarkable watercolors. He designed exceptional jewelry, created using the lost wax casting technique with the collaboration of his good friend, Bob Jones. Friends and family looked forward to his painted holiday art and original birthday cards. In his later years, Stan returned to his love of sketching, creating detailed pencil and ink drawings of friends and family—and of course—their dogs.

Stan led a life of remarkable vigor, sustained by his quiet love of family, friends, animals, art, and music.  He left us with much to remember and to cherish.

The Cejka family extends its profound gratitude to his team from Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix. Their compassionate, skilled assistance allowed Stan to remain in his home with comfort and care until his passing.

Stan is survived by his wife, Clarissa; his children, Catherine Cejka Powell (Gary) of Lake Forest, IL, Susan Cejka Hollander (Scott) of Victor, ID, Christopher Cejka of Scottsdale, AZ, and stepson Tad Paulson of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandchildren Stephen Powell and Scott Powell, Megan Hollander Lissandrello (Charles) and Jeffrey Hollander (Barbara), Victoria Cejka and Nicholas Cejka; great-grandson Benjamin Lissandrello; former spouses Bonnie O’Neill Malone and Sally McAleer ; and by his beloved golden retriever, Heidi.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cedar Valley Humane Society (cvhumane.org), Oldorf Hospice House (mercycare.org), or a charity of your choice.