William Bryan Recknor

William Bryan Recknor, 93, passed away September 8, 2016, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Born in Creston on June 13, 1923, he was the only child of Earl and Hazel (Bryan) Recknor. While a boy, the family moved to Deer River, Minnesota, where his father was commander of the CCC #707 camp. After several years, they returned to Creston, where Bryan (aka Bill) worked in his grandfather’s grocery store (Recknor’s) and played trumpet in his high school band. After a year at Bemidji State Teachers College and some time at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and University of Iowa in pre-med, he was inducted into the Army in June 1943 by his father, who was executive officer at Camp Dodge. He joined the 26th Division of the Infantry and shipped to France. Some of his duties included being the camp bugler and carrying the BAR, due to his 6’3’’ build. During an encampment his feet froze, so he was sent to a hospital in England. After recovering he was sent to Linz, Austria, where he played trumpet in a dance band at a displaced person camp. Upon returning to the States, he married Lois Ames of Afton, who he had met on a blind date before the war and corresponded with throughout the intervening years. He had hoped to attend veterinary college at Iowa State, but there were no openings, so he instead obtained his degree in business administration from Drake University (and was a member of the first class of Theta Chi Fraternity there). As an Army Reservist during the Korean War, he was sent to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where as a 2nd lieutenant he commanded a battery. Once he and Lois returned to Iowa, he began a long, distinguished career starting as an administrative assistant and retiring as President of Blue Shield of Iowa. Bryan is preceded in death by his wife Lois and elder daughter Ellen. He is survived by his daughter Martha Johnson (husband Kevin), grandson Alex Peichl, and many nieces and nephews. Interests over the years included woodworking, model railroading, World War II movies, jazz, animals, photography, cars, and Drake basketball (especially the Maury John era). He owned a tenant-run farm in southwest Iowa for many years. He and Lois were members of Knox Presbyterian Church. Bryan was a loyal, supportive husband and father. He was a gentle giant, exhibiting patience and a sense of humor. Despite numerous medical challenges over the years, he lived much longer than the experts could have predicted, thus earning from one doctor the title of “Miracle Man.” Memorial contributions may be directed to UnityPoint Health Foundation. A memorial gathering will be scheduled at a later date.