RSS![[Masthead]](http://www.stormlakepilottribune.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Post comment
"Founders Day is a special time for Buena Vista University to recognize in memoriam those who have selflessly contributed in a variety of ways to the mission of this institution," says BVU President Fred Moore. "All who are being honored have played an important role in what this University is today."
Inaugurated in September 1978, Founders' Day has become an annual memorial service that has honored approximately 170 individuals. The service, led by Rev. Ken Meissner, university chaplain, begins at 11 a.m. at Schaller Memorial Chapel.
Those being recognized this year are:
E.L. "Lee" Ballou: A native of Storm Lake, Lee was a Sir John Templeton Life Trustee of Buena Vista University, serving on the Board from 1972-1999. Lee and his wife, Bettie, supported student scholarships and were major benefactors in the challenge campaign for the Estelle Siebens Science Center. In 2007, he received the Wendell Halverson Outstanding Friend Award from BVU. Lee was a graduate of the University of Chicago and the graduate school of banking at the University of Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46. He began his career at Security Trust and Savings Bank in Storm Lake as a clerk, rising to chairman of the board in a career that spanned 70 years. Lee was a president of the Iowa Bankers Association and was active in Lakeside Presbyterian Church and Storm Lake civic organizations and was a longtime treasurer of the Storm Lake Community School District. He died May 10, 2010 at Storm Lake.
Julia Eilers: The widow of Sir John Templeton Life Trustee Dick Eilers (served 1967-1996), Julia's special interests were golf, bridge, sewing, cooking and bird watching. She was a continuous member of the Happy Hollow Country Club in Omaha, Neb. for 73 years and was a 50-year member and past president of Chapter FL-PEO and a life member of the Assistance League of Omaha. She died Oct. 1, 2009 at Omaha.
Dr. Frances Heusinkveld: Frances was a professor of music and college organist at Buena Vista from 1955-1988, when she became professor emeritus of music. She was a graduate of Central College and taught at Castana, Denison and Upper Iowa University before joining the BVU faculty. She completed her master's degree in piano and her PhD in organ literature at the University of Iowa. In Storm Lake, she was the organist for many years at United Methodist Church. Fran enjoyed travel and the study of foreign languages. In later years, she studied the cello and viola. She later moved to Pella and at the time of her death on Feb. 22, 2010, she was living in Forest City.
Dr. Wayne Higley: Wayne was professor of accounting at BVU from 1986 -- 2001 and he continued teaching as professor emeritus through spring 2008. A native of Iowa City, Wayne earned his bachelor of arts degree in 1953 from the University of Iowa, served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55 and received a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1958. He continued his education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a master's degree in accountancy in 1960 and a PhD in accounting in 1962. He became a CPA in Illinois in 1959 and was a certified management accountant. Before joining the BVU faculty, Wayne taught at Northern Illinois University at DeKalb from 1984-86, and was a professor of accounting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1961-1984 and served as chair of the accounting department for a number of years. In 1995, Wayne received the George Wythe Award, BVU's highest honor for excellence in teaching. He was active in Lakeside Presbyterian Church and several community organizations in Storm Lake. Wayne died Feb. 28, 2010 at Storm Lake.
Racheal "Rae" Richardson: An administrative assistant in the BVU Registrar's office for 25 years before retiring in 1985. Rae was one of eight children of German immigrant parents. One of the highlights of her years at BVU was the opportunity to greet and chat briefly with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who was on campus as the speaker for the William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture in April, 1994. During her retirement, Rae enjoyed traveling with her family, including trips to Venezuela, Bermuda, the Caribbean Islands and states in the western and eastern United States. A resident of Norwalk, Conn., since 2007, Rae died July 13, 2009.
Dr. Arthur Ruebel: A 1932 BVU graduate and benefactor, Art attended graduate school at the University of Iowa and received a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1944. He taught, coached and was a school administrator before becoming a veterinarian. He practiced for over 25 years in Fort Dodge and later Spirit Lake with the help of his wife, Helen. He was also a licensed appraiser and farm owner and manager. His outside interests included hunting, fishing, horses, golf, pool and bridge. A room in the BVU library is named in recognition of Art and Helen. In 2007, the Ruebels moved from Spirit Lake to Fort Dodge, where he died on Dec. 9, 2009.
John "Jack" Spooner: A benefactor of BVU, Jack attended Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa and served in the U.S. Army before returning to Storm Lake in 1946 to work for the Strickler Variety Store. In 1949, he bought a half interest in the store which was renamed Strickler-Spooner. His wife, Jane, taught in the Storm Lake schools. In 1968, he changed the store name to Ben Franklin and operated it until his retirement in 1988. Jack was active in Lakeside Presbyterian Church and several Storm Lake community organizations. He was an avid collector of cars, coins and stamps, and was a founding member of the Society for the Encouragement of Restoration and Preservation of Antique Cars Incorporated (SERPACI). He died May 17, 2010 at Storm Lake.
Copyright 2010 Storm Lake Pilot Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.