Veterans Way Honorees

Brent A. Schmit

United States Army

1987-1993
Veteran
Born and raised in Jesup, Brent graduated from Don Bosco (Gilbertville). After graduation, he entered the service, starting 5 months of training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Following training he served 1 year at Camp Casey in South Korea, 6 months at Fort Polk, Louisiana, then finished with 5 years in the Reserves for the 73rd Combat Support Hospital in Cedar Rapids, exiting service as a Sergeant. He now lives in Raymond with his wife Jenn, where they raised their two children, son Austin (29), and daughter Cami (23).

Dawson "Dee" Dowden

United States Air Force

February 1960 - January 1965
Veteran
Dawson "Dee" Dowden enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17 and served from Feb. 19, 1960 to Jan. 18, 1965. The Air Force was his choice since there was a base in his hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and he had been in the Air Explorer Boy Scouts program. Dowden was sent to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. In basic, the men were asked how many could play an instrument, Dowden raised his hand since he had played the baritone in his high school band. He was assigned to play the baritone bugle in the drum and bugle corps. This extended basic training an extra week for him. The drum and bugle corps paraded, marched in formation and reviewed in front of the general public. They could get passes to go off base, which was very neat, considering generally there are no passes off base in basic training.

After basic, Dowden was volunteered for air police school. "You learn the regulations and laws of the military - what's good, what's bad and all," Dowden said. "That lasted another three months.: Afterward, Dowden was sent to Condon Air Force Station in Oregon, an Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. His job was to guard the gate. There were 120 men on base: six officers, 20 civilians, and the rest were enlisted men. The Cuban Missile Crisis took place during Dowden's time at Condon. The base was locked down for two months, and everyone had to stay on base. This wasn't much of a problem for Dowden, since he lived on base, but it was harder on the married men who had families in the housing area just off base. Dowden stayed busy during his time at Condon. When not serving guard duty, he found other jobs and entertainment. "We did a lot. We were guys stuck on top of a mountain with no ladies around to take our time up, so we played basketball, had a bowling alley, would get our weapons and shoot on the rifle range, and work for farmers around there," Dowden said. He helped farmers with plowing and baling hay and stray - a new experience for a city kid.

After three years and a month, Dowden received orders for Japan. But orders were for two years at a time, and he only had 13 months left in his enlistment. So, he extended his enlistment by 11 months. "I definitely wanted to go if Uncle Sam would send me. I couldn't pay for it after I got out," Dowden said. He was flown from San Francisco to Alaska, and from there to Japan, crossing the international dateline. He was sent to the Itazuke Air Base and assigned to guard aircraft for the fighter wing. On the day he reported for duty, he saw three jets take off; one made a dive into the ground and crashed. That was the first and only time that ever happened while Dowden was station there. For the first eight or nine months, Dowden guarded F100 Super Sabers, F105 Thunderchiefs, F102 Delta and Alert Aircraft and the Casey 135 Tanker. B52s were also on base. At night, the F100s would moan and groan as they cooled down. A little oil would leak and run on the hot afterburner, and smoke would come out of the aircraft - but it was no big deal, just a characteristic of the aircraft. He was in service for four years, 10 months and 11 days and was honorably discharged as an airman first class (E4).

Dowden had three brothers and all four boys served in all five branches of the service. Dowden married and settled in Clarksville, IA. He worked for John Deer in downtown Waterloo, where he ran lathes and serval other machines. After 9 years, he moved out to the engineering center. His final job at John Deere was in sheet metal fabrication. He retired in 2004 after 38 years at John Deere. From 1989 to 2009, Dowden volunteered for the Clarksville ambulance service.

Tim Brandhorst

United States Marines

1976-1980

Veteran

1976-1980
Veteran
Tim proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1976 to 1980. During his time in service, he demonstrated the values of honor, discipline, and commitment that define the Marine Corps. His service reflects a deep dedication to duty and country.

Jackie “Jack” David Haes

United States Navy

1966 to January 1969
Veteran
Jack was born in Waterloo, IA on June 4, 1946 and graduated from Cedar Falls high school.

Excerpts from The Courier article: Haes had signed up for the Navy to follow in his father’s footsteps just before his draft notice arrived. Two summers later he was in the Gulf of Tonkin aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal as fire and explosions claimed the lives of 134 sailors in the worst U.S. navy disaster since World War II. Haes was assigned as a third-class radarman on the Forrestal, which was the first Navy ship with on-board computers. In 2007, Haes and another fellow aviator of the Forestal met privately with U.S. Sen. John McCain, a pilot aboard the Forrestal. “I told him I saw him jump off the nose of his plane when it was on fire,” recalled Haes, who has since retired in Florida.

Also see the videotaped interview at Sullivan Museum.

Ricky K LeQuatte

United States Army

1966-1972
Veteran
Lifelong resident of Waterloo
Ricky K LeQuatte is a lifelong resident of Waterloo, and served as SP4 US Army, 1966-1968, Germany. He was drafted into the Army during height of Vietnam War on 1st of February of 1966, served in Germany from 4th of August 1966 - 13th of February 1968. He continued his service in the Reserves through February 1972.

Thomas Richard Lown

United States Navy

1966-1972
Veteran
Thomas R. Lown was born in 1948 in Independence, Iowa. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1966. Tom joined the US Navy after high school and, during the Vietnam War, served as a Damage Control Officer on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1968 and 1969. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

After finishing his service on the Hornet, Tom returned to Waterloo, married, built his first home at age 24, and raised two children. He started his own business—Lown Construction and Woodworks—as a home builder and maker of anything wood, including furniture, cabinets, and casework. He had a contract to build shipping containers for the local Marine detachment, which were used when they deployed for Operation Desert Storm. He later worked as a Quality Control Supervisor for Omega Cabinet Company in Waterloo. Following that, he spent seventeen years as an estimating, design, and project manager for Magee Construction in Cedar Falls. He retired from that position in 2006. Shortly after retirement, Tom answered the call to serve as Construction Manager for Habitat for Humanity in Waterloo. He then received the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award for his work as a Volunteer Construction Estimator for the distribution of FEMA funds in the Cedar Valley following the 2008 flood.

Sailing his 20-foot sailboat is Tom’s fun…but he’s been so busy in “retirement” that it’s been thirteen years since he’s had time to do it.

Melvin Roy Gibbs

United States Army

1964-1966
Veteran
Melvin was born on July 29, 1942 in Edgeville, Iowa. He was inducted into the United States Army on April 8, 1964 and was stationed in Bad Aibling Germany, MOS: Food preparation. D/C 1966. After the military, he worked at John Deere for 36 years, retiring in 2003. He is also referred to as Dad and Grandpa by his kid and grandkids.

Richard B. Hibben Jr.

United States Navy

1982-1987
Veteran
Richard was born on January 26,1964. He served in the U.S. Navy from January 1982-March 1987. He served as an 8404 combat corpsman for the 1st Marine Division.

Craig White

United States Army

1968-1969
Veteran
Craig was born on November 2, 1948 and graduated from Columbus High School. He served in the U.S. Army as Sp 4 CBTRY 2/2013. Craig is an active supporter of Veterans and helps organize the Cedar Valley Honor Flights. He retired from John Deere and has served as a Black Hawk County Supervisor.

James "Russ" Walker

United States Army

1951-1953
Veteran
Russ was born and raised in Sumner, Iowa. He served in the United States Army and was stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland during the Korean War 1951-1953 and was a truck driver for the troops. He transferred to the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in April 1957. He lived and worked in Waterloo, at Altstadt & Langlas Baking Co. from 1948-1986, and was a member of the Dunkerton American Legion Post #636.

James “Jim” Patrick Reidy

United States Navy

1962-1966
Veteran
Jim Reidy was born on April 17, 1942 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of James and Margaret Reidy. He graduated from Columbus High School, Class of 1960 and enlisted in the Navy in 1962. He completed his basic training and radio school becoming proficient in Morse Code in December of 1962. Stationed in Hawaii, his first assignment was on the USS UTE (ATF 76), a sea going tug deployed to the western Pacific (WestPac). In July 1964, he was transferred to the USS CHIPOLA (AO 63), an oiler. He went on 2 tours to Vietnam. Jim was honorably discharged in June of 1966 as a Radioman 2nd Class.

Jim married his wife, Barbara McGrane in March 1964. They are the proud parents of 6 children, 18 grandchildren and 11great grandchildren. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1974 and retired from John Deere after 35 years, enjoying retirement for the last 25 years. Jim has spent many hours volunteering with the Red Cross and at his church. His greatest enjoyment comes with visiting family, both close and extended.

Robert Martin Reidy

United States Navy

1966-1969
Veteran
Bob was born on September 10, 1946 in Waterloo, the son of James and Margaret Reidy. He graduated from Columbus High School, Class of 1964. He enlisted in the Navy in 1966 where he attended Boot Camp in San Diego, California. Bob reported to the USS Promfret SS 391(diesel fueled submarine, commissioned in 1943) in June of 1966, where he served as a Sonar Technician. He was based in San Diego and served overseas in Japan. Bob was honorably discharged in 1969. Bob now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife Chris. They were married in 1969, and have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

Gary Riley

United States Army

1970 - 1972
Veteran
Gary was born and raised in Waterloo, IA. Gary served in the Vietnam War in the US Army as rank SP5.

2nd Lt. Robert J Hibbs MOH

United States Army

1964-1966
Casualty of War
Robert Hibbs was a graduate of Cedar Falls High School. He was the first (now) UNI graduate and Iowan to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.

Recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Hibbs joined the Army from Des Moines, Iowa in August 1964, and by March 5, 1966, was serving as a second lieutenant in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He had earned his commission thru the US Army Officer Candidate School OCS, Fort Benning, Ga. On 5 March 1966 during Operation Cocoa Beach, at Don Dien Lo Ke in the Republic of Vietnam, his patrol spotted a Viet Cong force approaching the 2nd Battalion's position. Hibbs led his small group in an attack on the enemy force and, with another soldier, volunteered to rescue a wounded comrade. After reaching the wounded man, Hibbs stayed behind to provide covering fire and was mortally wounded while attacking an enemy machine gun emplacement. For his actions during the battle, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later on February 24, 1967.

Aged 22 at his death, he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Theodore Howard Nieman Sr

United States Marines

1967-1968
Veteran
Theodore enlisted in the US Army during Vietnam and spent 18 months over there. He served as an infantry man. As a small man barely breaking 100lb when he enlisted and standing just 5ft 5in, he spent time as a fox hole clearer, as well as in supply transport. He passed away in 2000 but is remembered by his 5 daughters and 1 son, as well as 21 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

W. Louis Beecher

United States Army and Air Force

1942-1946
Veteran
Born on September 17, 1921 in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Louis was the son of John and Luella Beecher. Upon graduation from Immaculate Conception High School in Elma, Iowa Louis enrolled at Loras College at the age of 16. He continued his education at The University of Iowa receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1942. Louis married Gertrude Murray on November 17, 1943 at Saint Josephs Catholic Church in New Hampton, Iowa.

Louis served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from May 1942 through June 1946. He was a flight instructor at Perrin Field Texas before being assigned as a pilot and Captain in the Troop Carrier Command with service in Africa Egypt Iran India Burma China Manchuria and French Indochina. Louis received the Air Medal for meritorious flight on December 8,1945 over North China Sea. He remained in the U. S. Air Corps Reserve until 1959 retiring with the rank of Captain. At the end of WWII Louis reentered the Iowa College of Law and received his Juris Doctorate degree with Distinction in 1947. He entered the practice of law with his late uncle W.L. Beecher and had practiced law continuously in Waterloo since June 1947.

He was Senior Partner in the Beecher Law Firm. Mr. Beecher was deeply committed to the growth and vitality of the Cedar Valley and enjoyed many years of involvement in civic and business expansion projects. Louis provided legal counsel for several hallmark Waterloo business projects including the establishment of Black Hawk Broadcasting Company and local NBC TV affiliate KWWL the R. J. McElroy Trust the expansion of the John Deere Waterloo Operations at East Donald St. KBBG Radio Waterloo Municipal Airport and numerous other local and regional business civic and recreational initiatives. Louis served as Chairman of the Board: National Bank of Waterloo St. Francis Hospital Trustee Iowa College Foundation Wartburg College and Director of A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company. He was also past president of the Waterloo Industrial Development Association and the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Louis was humbled to receive many honors during his lifetime including the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Award Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber Legacy Award The Courier Eight over Eighty Award and the Honorary Doctorate of Letters and Humanities from Allen Hospital School of Nursing. He and Gertrude were also inducted to the Columbus High School Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Black Hawk County Bar Association Iowa State Bar Association The Waterloo Elks Club and St. Edward Catholic Church.

Byron Curtis Mather, Jr.

United States Army

1983 - 2006
Veteran
Byron Curtis Mather, Jr. was born in Waterloo and raised in Janesville, Iowa. He graduated from Janesville High School after he joined the US Army Reserves in 1983 and he graduated from Janesville High School in 1985. After working in Kansas City for several years, he entered the US Army as a full-time soldier in 1991. Byron then served in Wiesbaden, Germany with the 27th Transportation Battalion and with the 1st Calvary Division in Fort Hood, Texas. He concluded his service with the Army Reserve 649th unit in Cedar Rapids, as he assisted in the deployments of many soldiers leaving for Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also active in the Family Readiness Support Program. He was honorably discharged as a First Sergeant/E-7 in April 2006. He worked as an IT Systems Administrator at GMAC in Waterloo and as a Network Analyst for Wartburg College until retiring in 2006. Byron married Dr. Vickie Trent in 2002. He has two sons, Curtis and Lucas and a step-daughter, Brooke Trent (Jubal Slone). He has four grandchildren.The Mather family was honored with the 2017 Sullivan Outstanding Military Family of the Year Award. Byron, his father Byron Curtis “Curt” Mather, Sr. and his uncle, James Mather, all Cedar Valley veterans, accepted the award on behalf of the seven family members, representing four generations, one sacrificed life, and one soldier missing in action, all of whom have been dedicated servicemen over three centuries, 72 years of service, for three branches of the United States of America military between the Civil War and 2006.

Patrick Scott Bush

United States Army

1994-2014
Veteran
Patrick Bush joined the U.S. Army in 1994 after graduating from high school in Tripoli, IA. After completing basic and advanced infantry training at Ft. Benning, GA, he was assigned to service at Ft. Riley, KS, home of the “The Big Red One.” He served as indirect fire infantryman in HHC 2-70 Armor battalion 1st Armor Division, which included a period of patrolling the Southern Border (JTF-6), and was promoted to Specialist. After his honorable discharge from his initial enlistment, Patrick Bush joined the Iowa Army National Guard, Company B, 1st Battalion 133 Infantry, 34th Infantry “Red Bull” Division, based in Oelwein and Waterloo.

During this time, he also attended Hawkeye Community College and UNI with the support of the GI Bill. Some of his service during his time with the National Guard included providing airport security after Sept. 11, 2001, as well as deployments to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq. He retired from the Iowa Army National Guard in 2014 with the rank of Sergeant First Class, having earned a variety of service awards and medals. Patrick Bush continues to live in Waterloo today, working for the Waterloo Police Department.

Sidney Dean Bunger

United States Army

1966-1968

Veteran

Sidney Dean Bunger was born at Allen Hospital on November 4, 1946. He grew up in Elk Run Heights with 4 brothers, and graduated from East High in 1964. He served in the Army from 2/2/66-1/12/68. He married Kathy Scovel on October 31, 1970, and obtained his undergraduate degree from Upper Iowa University. He owned DBM, Inc. and Casting Cleaning, Inc. until retiring in 2008. He had two daughters, Shannon Closson, and Renee Bunger (who passed away a few years ago). He has two grandsons, Dalton & Gabe Closson and one great-grandson that is due in May 2026. He lived in Waterloo/Cedar Falls all of his life. Kathy passed away in 2013 from cancer. He married Marcia Laudick in 2018, and loves to golf and stays very active.

Robert (Bob) L. Beach

United States Navy

1944-1946

Veteran

United States Navy | World War II Veteran | Radioman 3/C U.S.S Navaro, APA215 Pacific Command FleetService: 1944 – 1946

Robert (Bob) L. Beach honorably served in the United States Navy during World War II, answering the call to duty as a young man during one of the most consequential periods in history. He was part of a family deeply committed to service—his older sister served as an Army nurse, his older brother in the Navy, and his younger brother in counterintelligence—together representing a shared dedication to country during wartime.He enlisted during his senior year of high school, choosing the Navy before reaching draft age. He began his training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, where his determination carried him through early challenges, including recovering from a broken hand before completing boot camp. He went on to specialized training in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he studied radio communications, mastering Morse code and rigorous operational skills.After completing his training, Bob traveled across the country to San Francisco, where he was deployed to the Pacific Theater. He was assigned as a radio operator aboard the USS Navarro (APA-215), an attack transport ship. Stationed in the Philippines, including Leyte, he played a vital role in communications during naval operations. His service included transporting thousands of troops between Pacific islands and back to the United States. Despite ships designed for 1,500 personnel carrying as many as 2,000, he and his fellow sailors carried out their mission with resilience and camaraderie.Amid the demands of wartime service, Bob also carried fond memories of moments of respite. During shore leave in San Francisco, he recalled how enlisted men in uniform were welcomed into local clubs at no charge, where they could relax and enjoy the lively sounds of big swing bands—a small but meaningful reminder of the appreciation felt for those serving their country.At the war’s end, Bob returned home aboard the same vessel, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge to a hero’s welcome—greeted by ships spraying water in tribute to the returning servicemen. His ship was soon decommissioned, marking the conclusion of his naval service. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Bob selected the Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls (now UNI) based on its reputation and graduated in 1951. He actively served the Cedar Valley community, earning accolades for his contributions until his death in 2023 at the age of 97.In later years, Bob expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight on September 14, 2010. During this journey to World War II Memorial and other historic sites in Washington, D.C., he reflected on the meaning of his service. He believed the memorial powerfully captured the spirit of the war and the necessity of defending the nation following the attack on Attack on Pearl Harbor. He often noted that those who served left behind their jobs and families to ensure the safety of the United States. Remembering the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives, he remained deeply proud to have served alongside them.Robert L. Beach’s service reflects the courage, sacrifice, and quiet strength of the generation that helped secure freedom around the world. His legacy lives on in the values he carried throughout his life and the example he set for future generations.

Harold "Holly" Rausch

United States Navy

1944-1952

Veteran

Born March 12, 1926, Harold (better known as Holly) Rausch grew up near Nashua, IA. Holly entered the U.S. Navy in 1944, attended basic training in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and was assigned to the USS Franklin, an aircraft carrier nicknamed “Big Ben.” He survived a major bombing of the Franklin on March 19, 1945. He was honorably discharged in 1949. Holly married Ruby Schluter in 1950 and they raised one child. Living in Burlington and then Nashua, IA. After the service, Holly worked in the postal system until retirement in 1985. Holly was a longtime member of the VFW, American Legion, Nashua Town and Country Club, and Lions Club. He also was a Mason and belonged to the National Postmasters Associations. He passed away June 20, 2021at 95 years old.

Gary D. Mast

United States Army

1969-1972

Veteran

Gary was born in 1950 to Dave and Polly Mast. He and his twin brother, Larry grew up in Evansdale and Raymond before graduating in 1969 from Dunkerton. After graduation, Gary enlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Germany during his service, achieved the rank of Specialist 4 (Spec4), and was honorably discharged in 1972. After returning home, Gary met and married Carol Reasland (Aldrich). They settled in Evansdale where they raised four children: Nellie, Danny (Gary Jr.), Katie, and Kenny. Gary passed away in 1994 from a traumatic event at the age of 43.

Chiquita Denise Loveless

United States Navy

23 years

Veteran

Chiquita Loveless (she/her) is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia Gwinnett College and a master’s degree in Business Administration from St. Leo University. She currently works at the University of Northern Iowa as the Dean of Students for Family and Military Programming.

Loveless served in the U.S. Navy for more than 23 years, retiring as a Communication Officer/Chief Warrant Officer 2. Her tours of duty include Commander Naval Special Warfare Command, two Aircraft Carriers, an Amphibious Ship, and numerous deployments, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, she served as the Equal Opportunity Officer and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate for several tours reporting directly to her Commanding Officers. Loveless is also a former Director for VETCONNEXX, an all-veteran call center located in Atlanta, GA. Loveless is the 2021 Cedar Valley MercyOne Heroes Among Us “Military” recipient.

Richard Alan Lown

United States Marines

Richard Lown Served six enlisted military services in the US Marine Corps from October 1st, 1971, to September 30th, 1977. He served four years on active duty and two years in reserve service in a Transportation Battalion, Headquarters Company, Supply Administration, and Embarkation. Richard received an Achievement award for Mount Out preparatory assimilation and qualified as an Expert Rifleman. He was also awarded the National Defense Badge, three Meritorious Masts (which serve as a formal acknowledgment of exceptional performance or initiative by enlisted Marines), and the Good Conduct Medal. Richard served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Camp Pendleton, California, and Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. His Foreign service totaled 13 months. Richard was Honorable Discharged with the rank of Sergeant E5. Richard was born in Independence, Iowa. His hometown was Waterloo until 1971. He lives in Festus, Missouri, and is a Real Estate Broker.

Marvin “Mad Dog” Marlin Baldwin

United States Army

Marvin Baldwin served in the US Army for six years. He joined the Army in 1941 at the age of 16. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and served during WW2. His military occupation led him to drive various vehicles during the war. Marvin also served in the Army Reserves for two years during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1952. At that time, he was a mess hall sergeant in charge of the mess hall kitchen. Marvin had worked at the Rath Packing Company and in security at the John Deere North East Site, where he acquired the nickname Mad Dog”. He lived in Waterloo his entire life, attending St Mary’s Elementary School and Columbus High School.

Trent Hunter

United States Army/Air Force

Active Duty

Jim Sullivan

United States Navy

1958-1962 Active Service, 1985-1991 Navy Reserves
Veteran

Jim Sullivan joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. He served actively from 1958 to 1962 and served in the Navy Reserves from 1985-1991.

Patricia Ann Warren Roberts

United States Marines

1958-1960
Veteran

William Kay

United States Army

1965-1967
Veteran

Don Lee Christensen

United States Army

20 years

Veteran

Don was born August 25th, 1941, in State Center, Iowa, the youngest of nine siblings. Don and his siblings were raised in Waterloo, Iowa. He joined the Army as soon as he was eligible and retired after 20 years of service. During his service to our country, he was a Heavy Artillery Sergeant First Class in the Army. He was a Drill Sergeant at Ft Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Carson, Colorado. He was stationed in several bases, including Germany, during his career. He served three tours in Vietnam and earned several accommodations, including multiple bronze stars for heroic service in a combat zone and two purple hearts for injuries sustained on the battlefield. Although America did not embrace him when he returned from Vietnam, he was extremely proud of his service. After retiring from the Army, Don worked for Wonder Bakery and Lewis System Armored Carrier until he retired in 2004.