Ivan E. Downs

Putting a "Personal Touch" on state bureacracy is a difficult task! Ivan Downs was a master and made it look easy. Everyone knew the help he extended was genuine! He will be missed, but with the knowledge that many school business officials benefited from his example of effective & efficient state administration! May God be with his family.

In the world of Pennsylvania school finance our friend Ivan is a legend. His personality established a personal relationship, in general, with school administrators across the Commonwealth, and in particular with those in school business offices. He extended those relationships in his retirement career by staying in touch through PASBO and as a representative of PSDLAF. His presence and involvement with schools will long be remembered by all who knew him.

Mrs. Downs and family,
I remember the many early mornings during you kitchen project that Ivan and I would talk about his past and I always enjoyed coming to see you both.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers for you and your family as you reflect on all the wonderful years God had provided for you and Ivan.

Les & Carol Petrie

Ivan was well regarded and respected by PASBO members across the state. He was known as a "helper" who made a sincere effort to assist, guide and inform K-12 administrators in school finance issues. He was a gentleman who was a great historian of the evolution of public education and school finance.

We are saddened to hear of your loss. Ivan was a friend of PASBO and well respected by our membership. As a workshop coordinator he continued his passion to improve public education. We are thankful to have worked with him and will miss him. Our thoughts are with his family.