Jim Leach (1942–2024), 30-year Iowa congressman

Jim Leach was a respected Republican congressman from Iowa who served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Frank Fritz (1963–2024), American Pickers co-star

Frank Fritz was the co-host of the popular antiques-focused reality TV show, “American Pickers.”

Al McCoy (1933–2024), longtime Phoenix Suns broadcaster

Al McCoy was a sports broadcaster best known for his 51 years as the play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Suns, the longest tenure in NBA history. 

Scott Bloomquist (1963–2024), Hall of Fame dirt track racer

Scott Bloomquist was a Hall of Fame dirt racer who tallied over 600 career wins and nine championships in his storied, decades-long career.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (1934–2024), U.S. senator from Oklahoma

Sen. Jim Inhofe was a U.S. senator from Oklahoma for nearly three decades who served in public office in one form or another for nearly 60 years overall.

Ed Stone (1936–2024), scientist who led NASA’s Voyager mission

Ed Stone was a NASA scientist who led the agency’s pioneering Voyager missions and served as head of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 10 years.

Peter Schickele (1935–2024), composer known as P. D. Q. Bach

Peter Schickele was a composer and humorist best known for his comedic musical compositions, released under his persona, P. D. Q. Bach.

Dick Clark (1928–2023), U.S. senator who opposed apartheid 

Richard “Dick” Clark was a former U.S. senator who walked across the state of Iowa to meet residents in-person during his 1972 campaign.

Johnny Lujack (1925–2023), oldest living Heisman Trophy winner 

Johnny Lujack was a quarterback who was honored with the Heisman Trophy while playing for Notre Dame in 1947 and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. 

Jim Post (1939–2022), “Reach out of the Darkness” singer

Jim Post was half of the duo Friend & Lover, known for their 1968 hit, “Reach out of the Darkness.”

Iowa Tornado Victims (2022)

Seven people were killed as tornadoes struck central Iowa on Saturday, March 5. Several others are injured.

Hayden Fry (1929–2019), longtime University of Iowa football coach

Hayden Fry was the beloved football coach at the University of Iowa for 20 seasons, from 1979 to 1998.

Al Haynes (1931–2019), heroic pilot of United Flight 232

After engine and hydraulic failure, he helped guide his DC-10 to a miraculous emergency landing.

Gerry Murray (1920–2019), roller derby star

Gerry Murray was a roller derby starin the sports early days who returned as a grandmother in her 50s.

Julie Adams (1926–2019), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” actress

Julie Adams, the actress best remembered for her work in “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was 92.

Robert James Waller (1939 - 2017), The Bridges of Madison County author

Writer Robert James Waller penned the 1992 best-seller “The Bridges of Madison County.” 

Iowa Police Officers

Two police officers were killed early Wednesday in what was described as two separate ambush attacks in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, according to CNN. According to police, it started around 1:05 a.m. Wednesday in Urbandale, Iowa. Officers responding to a shots-fired call found an officer dead in his vehicle, a police spokesman said. About 20 minutes later, a second officer was found dead in his vehicle. The identities of the officers were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Patricia Barry (1922 - 2016), soap opera star

The veteran soap opera actress appeared on “Days of Our Lives,” “All My Children,” and “Guiding Light.”

W.P. Kinsella (1935 - 2016), author inspired Field of Dreams

W.P. Kinsella, Canadian author whose writing inspired “Field of Dreams,” died on Friday, September 16, 2016, in Hope, British Columbia, according to multiple news sources. He was 81.

James Alan McPherson (1943–2016), Pulitzer Prize-winning author

Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Alan McPherson died July 27, 2016. He was 72.

Kyle Calloway (1987 - 2016), Buffalo Bills offensive tackle

Kyle Calloway, a former professional football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills, died July 2, 2016, after he was struck by a train while jogging near the railroad tracks in Vail, Arizona. He was 29.

Late State Fair Participants

These people all found success at their local State Fair.

Aldo Leopold's Wilderness

Pioneering conservationist Aldo Leopold advocated ecologically responsible land management before it was cool.