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Harlan W. Van Gerpen
Harlan Van Gerpen was born on a South Dakota farm, attended 1 room grade school and graduated from Avon, South Dakota High School. He entered the military at age of 18, trained as a Meteorologist g...view moreHarlan Van Gerpen was born on a South Dakota farm, attended 1 room grade school and graduated from Avon, South Dakota High School. He entered the military at age of 18, trained as a Meteorologist graduating from University of Chicago.
In 1944, Harlan transferred to Airways Control and was assigned to Marseille, France. Working with German POWs and rescuing a lady on a large lake were memories he treasured. He returned to the U.S after 42 months of service.
Thinking his military career behind him, Harlan taught high school for one year and then attended college to earn both a Bachelor and Master degree in Electrical Engineering. He was recalled to military service during the Korean War and served 16 months.
Deere and Co. in Waterloo, Iowa became Harlan’s employer for the next 27 years. He wrote the Gear Design software in 1956, a first worldwide. At the time of his retirement in 1982, he was Manager of Technical Services. Retirement was short as in the next 23 years were spent as a partner in Van Gerpen/Reece Consulting with gear designing.
Committing time to public service, Harlan was elected to the Hawkeye Community College Board of Directors and served for the next 16 years, two years as president. He resigned after being elected to the Iowa legislature and served on the State Board of Education. He continues to be a member of the Foundation Board today.
Love of travel prompted Harlan to serve internationally with his engineering expertise in Albania and India. He also traveled extensively with his, Betty, touring the different continents, and flying around the world. Renewing an acquaintance, after 51 years, with a former German POW he had supervised during WWII, was a remark able event.
Harlan and Betty have 5 wonderful children who they have passed on a love of family, travel, and serving others.view less