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Dr. John Randolph "Randy" Iddings passed away on June 8, 2026. John Randolph “Randy” Iddings was born on May 7, 1940 in Keystone, West Virginia, to John Carr Iddings, a coal miner, and Martha Iddings, a beautician. Raising an only child, his parents devoted themselves to educate Rand and give him a proper upbringing. He attended Greenbrier Military School for high school and fondly remembered marching around the campus in the rain in the middle of the night with the others, rifles over their shoulders, as punishment if one cadet misbehaved. He was a champion marksman.

Rand attended Duke University for 2 years, which he reported, in his dry and hilarious way, were the worst 2 years of his life. He was not fond of the gigantic lecture classes nor the requirement to pass a high-diving class. A shining exception to his unhappiness during this time was meeting Rose Mary Erdelyi at a mutual friend’s wedding. Rand transferred to Roanoke College to be closer to his new love. He graduated in 1962 and on July 21, 1962, married Rose Mary.

Rand attended Dental School at the University of Maryland. He became a Major in the Army and served in the US Army Dental Corps and later in the Army Reserves. During his long career in dentistry, Dr. Iddings was the Chief of the Dental Service at the VAMC, and taught clinical work at the UM School of Dentistry. Later in his career, Dr. Iddings earned a specialty degree in Prosthodontics. He was responsible for teaching the Dentistry Residents at the selective program at the Baltimore VA. Dr. Iddings loved working with the young residents and dental students. He was beloved by his students for his no-nonsense, practical teaching and wit.

Dr. Iddings served the world community during several missions with Operation Smile and similar organizations, treating children in South Africa, Kenya, and Vietnam, as well as underserved native people in Northwest Alaska. He continued teaching at the Dental School even after retiring from the VA, until the Pandemic, when he was 80.

Rand began to devote more of his later years to art, a lifelong interest. He attended the Schuler School of Fine Arts a few days a week for the last several years, where he honed his drawing skills and broadened his work to include watercolor and oil painting. He admired his fellow art students and enjoyed a surprising amount of camaraderie with those decades his junior. He occasionally gave art lessons to his family and particularly loved sharing work with his granddaughter, Suzanne, who is a talented artist.

Rand was eternally optimistic, tenacious, and had a dry and incisive sense of humor. He was quieter than most in our family, so when he spoke, everyone listened.
Rand was a devoted husband to Rose Mary for nearly 64 years. He admired and understood his two daughters, Shannon and Julia. He adored his 4 grandchildren: Elise, Suzanne, John and Mark, and his sons-in-law, James and Tom. He was an incredibly special man, and will be missed very much, by very many.

Friends may call the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26), on Friday, June 12th, from 4 to 7 PM, where people will be encouraged to speak in his memory. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Schuler School of Fine Arts, 7 East Lafayette Ave., Baltimore, MD 21202