John Bernard Forkenbrock

John Bernard Forkenbrock, 80 of Solon, Iowa, formerly Ashburn, Virginia, passed away to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the funeral home with a luncheon to follow. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page for John, under “videos,” starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025. Inurnment will be held at Brandon Cemetery on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Whether he was John, “Fork”, Dad, or Grandpa, he was everything to those who knew him. John was born on November 6, 1944, in New Hampton, Iowa, to Joseph “Barney” and Lucille (Winter) Forkenbrock. Born on election day, with his mom voting absentee while in labor, he was destined for Washington D.C. He graduated from New Hampton HS and earned his degrees from the University of Northern Iowa. John’s career began as a teacher at West Central for 8 years (1966 – 1974). There, he taught U.S. History, Government, and Sociology. John was passionate about supporting issues that mattered most to him, and he became active in the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), Government Affairs Committee as an active teacher fighting for collective bargaining rights for public employees. As well as an active member of the Fayette County Democratic Party, which led to him working on Michael T. Blouin’s campaign trail for Congress (1974), with a job promised in Washington if he won the election.

During his time teaching, he met the love of his life, Patricia Anne Stirm, and they were married January 25, 1975, in La Porte City, Iowa, and left for Washington, D.C., “their honeymoon” the very next day. What was thought to be maybe two (2) years in the D.C. area turned into a beautiful life in Northern Virginia for almost 50 years. Raising two children together, God continued to guide John through life, opening doors for him to always do what he loved. Helping others through education and always being there for his family (soccer coach, team manager, baseball, #1 dad).

John worked on Capitol Hill from 1975-1979, with the latter years on the House Education and Labor Committee. He then served in the Carter administration from 1979-1981. He ran his own consulting business from 1982-1988, before becoming Executive Director of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), a role he held from 1988-2015, continuing to go back and help as needed through 2022. All while also consulting with the National Indian Impacted Schools Association (NIISA) up until his passing. John was dedicated and personally invested in all he did, a teacher at heart, always finding opportunities to guide the interns, teach college classes at the Washington Center, Washington D.C., share his historical knowledge with local history clubs, and engage in public speaking opportunities for education & children.

John was a very special person. He loved God, his family, his work family, and baseball (specifically the Yankees and the Nationals when they came to D.C., but only because they are in a different league). He never missed opening day while living in Virginia. He enjoyed cheering for the Washington Commanders & D.C. United. His daughter ignited his love for soccer, and he served as the in-stadium PA announcer for all D.C. United home games at RFK Stadium for 8 years, even getting to announce at FedEx Field for an International Friendly match. He was an avid reader with daily bible readings, historical, government, and Christian books of choice. He had even been in the process of writing his own book.

In his last years, he and his wife moved to Solon, Iowa, to be close to their grandchildren and cherished every moment. They became his world. He absolutely loved to travel with his wife, having almost hit all the states and some international travel. Together, they had a love for the National Parks. John was a devoted Christian, such a caring, compassionate person, who always told it like it is and was ready to lend a helping hand. He was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn, Virginia, and currently attends Antioch Christian Church in Marion, Iowa, attending weekly bible studies.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Patty Forkenbrock of Solon; children, Ryan (Erik) Holt, Jamison (Corinne) Forkenbrock, Noelle (Rick) Kostecki, and Nicolle (Gilbert) Reyna; 5 grandchildren; and brother, Jim Forkenbrock.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be directed to charities or organizations that were close to John’s heart, including The American Indian College Fund, The Impacted Schools of South Dakota “John Forkenbrock Scholarship”, Antioch Christian Church, and the University of Northern Iowa Foundation.