It’s a common theme that plays inside Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s West Liberty, Iowa, clinic.
“I’m doing good,” one knee-replacement patient will respond to another knee-replacement’s inquiry about their post-surgery progress.
“I’m doing good, but I’m not doing “Vince’’ good.’’
Laughter usually follows, yet truth-be-told, everyone wants to be doing “Vince’ good.
The “Vince” everyone marvels at and works hard to be like, is West Liberty, Iowa cornerstone – and one of life’s wonderful souls – 82-year-old Vince Ottaway.
The same Vince Ottaway, who rises each morning at 5, makes sure he gets his mile walk in, then dabbles with that day’s news and his coffee and yogurt.
The same fella, a Clinton, Iowa, native, who showed up to West Liberty High School in 1966, fresh from the University of Northern Iowa, sporting a shiny new Ford Mustang and a thirst to inspire young people.
The same Vince who fell in love with the town – even better for him – fell in love and married the former Letha Stagg – an amazing sort in her own rite – then stayed and raised a family. The same Vince that gave West Liberty High School 42 wonderful years teaching biology and industrial arts, served on the city council, the West Liberty Community Schools Foundation, the library board and after retirement has given West Liberty schools 17 years as a middle school substitute teacher.
And…The same Vince who underwent total knee replacement (right) in May of 2024, and then topped things off by having his left knee done in September of 2024.
That Vince.
“Total rock star,” Rock Valley’s Sam Rowe, PT, DPT, Clinic Manager at West Liberty, said of Ottaway. “There is something about Vince. He did a great deal of pre-hab strength work before surgeries, but he was diligent in his therapy with me and with Wendi (Koch) PTA, after each surgery. He has done everything we have ever asked of him. And he is back to being Vince.’’
Compassionate and ever-so-skilled, Rowe says Koch – a dynamic presence in a clinic filled with caring therapists, exceptional ATs, and an engaging and caring front office lead (Azeneth Zamores) – was a big part of Ottaway’s rehab success.
“I swear Wendi has been treating patients longer than I have been alive,” Rowe said with a smile, making sure the response was out of earshot from Koch. “We played a lot of “good cop,’’ ”bad cop’’ with Vince and he responded to both styles. I played the good cop, and Wendi did a wonderful job taking the other side. And we all had fun with it, but it helped in making Vince better.’’
For Ottaway, taking the step and having his first knee replacement was huge. It ended years of discomfort and trying other options in hopes of avoiding surgery. It made the decision to have the second knee – equally balky – easier to make.
“It was time,” Ottaway said. “It was bone-on-bone, and I had all the shots to try to hold it off. It kept me from doing some things I wanted – or need to be doing – to be as active as I want. I’m sure glad I did it. And after the surgeries, I was so lucky to have Rock Valley here for me.’’
There was, however, one pullback moment Rowe said, noting it was vintage Vince.
“It was 10 days post-surgery after one knee and Vince wanted to go biking,” Rowe said. “It was simply too soon, even though Vince was making Vince-like strides. He tried to sell it by saying the bike was electric and he could switch from pedaling to take pressure off the knee. It was just Vince being Vince.’’
The second surgery was in September of 2024 and again Ottaway rocked his recovery.
It was, as they say, Vince being Vince.
“You know, if there is no Rock Valley Physical Therapy here (West Liberty) I don’t think I have the chance to get back to life like I did,’’ said Ottaway. “If there is no Rock Valley here then I’m driving 15 miles this way or 20 miles that way or to the Quad Cities for therapy. This community is so lucky to have Rock Valley and the people in this clinic. Everyone is amazing.’’
On cue, another patient inside the Rock Valley clinic – progressing wonderfully from total knee replacement – chimed in. “It’s a real thing,’ he said of the Vince factor. “You want to be doing good (with recovery), but you really would love to be doing Vince good.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller