Representative Rudy Van Drie View All Years

RUDY VAN DRIE

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Rudy Van Drie, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Rudy Van Drie was born at Ashton, Iowa, January 5, 1931, the son of Gerrit and Sophia Van Drie. He graduated from Ocheyedan High School, Ocheyedan, Iowa, and Northwestern Junior College, Orange City, Iowa, in 1951.

Mr. Van Drie served in the infantry during the Korean Conflict and returned to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Iowa in 1955. He moved to Ames and was associated for several years in clothing store enterprises.

On August 1, 1958, Mr. Van Drie married Gladys VanderWolde of Amherst, South Dakota. They had two daughters, Karen and Karla.

Mr. Van Drie established the Ames Advertiser in 1958 and was owner and publisher for the past 18 years. During those years, Mr. Van Drie expanded his business operations to include ownership and publishing of the Boone County Flyer and was a partner in the Knoxville Reminder. He served as president of the Iowa Shoppers Association and was, at the time of his death, president-elect of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and national president of the National Association of Advertising Publications.

Mr. Van Drie was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from Story County and served from 1966 to 1968 during the Sixty-second and the Sixty-third General Assemblies. He was Assistant Majority Leader in 1969 and 1970. In 1970 Mr. Van Drie was elected to the Iowa Senate from the 17th Senatorial District, including portions of Story, Jasper and Polk Counties, and served during the Sixty-fourth General Assembly.

While Mr. Van Drie served as State Senator, he was actively involved in supporting the parents responsibility bill and in securing the line-item appropriation for the Veterinary Medicine Building at Iowa State University. During his tenure in the Legislature, Mr. Van Drie earned the reputation as an energetic and dedicated friend of the employees of the Iowa Highway Commission.

Mr. Van Drie died at Ames on October 13, 1976, at the age of 45. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother, three brothers and two sisters.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-seventh General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable Rudy Van Drie, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the Senate by this resolution would express its appreciation of his service to his community, state and nation and tender its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate, and that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

JOHN S. MURRAY, Chairperson

DAVID M. READINGER

EARL M.WILLITS

Committee

The resolution was unanimously adopted.