A day to remember
May 28, 2007
Individuals gathered in the Molecular Biology Building auditorium Monday to remember those who have passed on.
The annual ceremony was held to remember all those affiliated with Iowa State who have died during the previous year.
The service, which was put on by the ISU Retirees Association, opened with prelude music provided by the Collegiate Brass, a local quintet. Jeffery Johnson, director of the ISU Alumni Association, gave the welcoming statement. He also made mention of Carolyn Ringgenberg, an individual who had passed away and with whom Johnson had worked.
An invocation was given by Rev. Whit Malone of the Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Ave.
The memorials that had been written and submitted were read by Dean Ulrichson, chairman of the ISU Retirees Association, and Nancy Meredith, of the ISU Retirees Association.
Ulrichson began the memorials with that of Irene Swanson, a former member of the ISU Retirees Association, who played an important part in planning Memorial Day services at Iowa State.
“It was she who rescued this service from extinction,” Ulrichson said.
Meredith read the memorial of Dwight Bensend, a former professor of Iowa State.
“‘The thing I remember most about Doc is that he was a true gentleman,'” Meredith said, quoting a former student.
Ulrichson also read the memorial of Donald Woolley, a former professor, who came to Iowa State in 1963. Ulrichson read a description of Woolley as having been a “complete agronomist,” and an explorer of the production of alternative crops in Iowa.
After Ulrichson and Meredith read the written memorials that had been submitted, members of the audience were invited to share memories of those they knew that had past away.
Bill Diesslin, assistant director of environmental health and safety, shared memories about two individuals who had worked with him. One was Joseph Klinsky.
Diesslin shared the last thing Klinsky said to him and also said he thought Klinsky was saying it to the entire ISU community.
“‘Bill, keep up the good work; you’re doing a very important job,'” he said.
After sharing their memories of those who had passed, Ulrichson addressed the crowd.
“Our condolences and sympathies to each and every one of you,” he said.
The service ended with a benediction by Malone.
Related articles: Bush honors troops killed overseas | Nearly 1,000 U.S. forces have died in Iraq since last Memorial Day; number likely to rise