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Howard Charles Heemstra
December 22, 1928 - July 22, 2011
Howard Charles Heemstra, age 82, died on July 22, 2011 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA. Howard was born in Orange City, Iowa on December 22, 1928 to Jacob and Hannah Heemstra. He was a graduate of Northwestern Academy (1946) and Northwestern Junior College (1948) in Orange City and received a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Iowa State University in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 - 1954 as part of the Engineer Research and Development Laboratory in Ft. Belvoir, VA. Following his honorable discharge, Howard enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Bloomfield, MI, where he received his Master of Architecture degree in 1958.
For the next 12 years he worked as a registered architect for several firms on projects in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. He was most proud of his contributions as project architect of the award winning C. Y. Stephens Auditorium built on the Iowa State University campus in 1969. This building was selected as Iowa's "Building of the Century" in 2004 by the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
In 1966 Howard was asked to join the faculty of the Iowa State University architecture department as an assistant professor and attained the position of full professor in 1976. He was committed to his students and was recognized by the College of Design in 2002 with his selection for the Academic Advising Award. He devoted 37 years to his professional career at Iowa State University and officially retired in 2003 but continued working part-time for several years. Following his retirement he was named "Professor Emeritus".
In addition he was gifted in painting, sketching, sculpting, and was a professional photographer as well. He enjoyed jazz music, movies, reading, and dining out with friends.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Hannah and Jacob; brother, Frank; sister-in-law Marion; and sister-in-law Jean. Surviving family members include: brothers, John G. Heemstra, Yankton, SD; Raymond Heemstra (Maxine), Bartlesville, OK; nephews Timothy Heemstra (Linda), Gage, OK; John J. Heemstra (Joan), Mitchell, SD; and nieces Betsy Drulard (Tom) Lakewood, CO; Virginia McGregor, Fountain Hills, AZ; Kristeen Kirchgasler (Mike), Rapid City SD; and Laura Matthews (Stephan), Bedford, TX.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 12 at 7:00 pm at the Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010. Burial will take place in West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City IA on Saturday, August 13 at 1:00 pm. Memorials may be sent to the Hannah Heemstra Scholarship at Northwestern College, 101 7th St. SW, Orange City, IA, 51041.
Online condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Mr. Heemstra was a dedicated individual and as a former studen I am filled with gratitude for the insights he gave towards Architecture and photography.
I remember when Uncle Howard sent me a photograph of C. Y. Stephens Auditorium on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. He told me that he had been one of the architects on this project and that the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects had named it Iowa’s “Building of The Century.†He was so proud of this accomplishment and rightfully so!
A straight forward to the point Professional... As a student after a quarter-ending critique session in a private moment Mr.Heemstra asked me if I had any hobbies. When I listed a few he said "Pick One" because architecture wasn't it. I was surprised into silence and often reflected on that comment.It made my self analysis over the years much more realistic as I tried to determine what he saw or didn't see in me. I have been a practicing architect in higher education and healthcare since that time and often remember Mr.Heemstra for his passion for the profession. I was able to communicate that to him a few years back and to thank him.
Uncle Howard always had a twinkle in his eyes when he joked and teased - and he liked to joke and tease. And I will remember him as the coolest uncle.
Howard Heemstra from Timothy Ray Grandon on Vimeo.
Howard was my father's colleague for many years. I didn't know Howard as well as some, but in the few conversations I had with him, I recognized him as unique. An original.
Uncle Howard could play a "mean boogie woogie." As a child, I enjoyed listening to his improvisations. I always wondered how he could do it without looking at the music sheets.
I taught with Howard at ISU from 1972 to 1976 and remember him as one of the interesting minds in the Dept of Architecture. Always ready for a new idea. Students loved him
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Ames, IA 50010
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