CHANDLER, Lee C. 1904-1957

CHANDLER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/13/2019 at 09:15:26

Lee Chandler, State Bank Head, Dies Suddenly

Suffered Heart Attack Following Two Weeks Illness and Death Came Unexpectedly

Lee C. Chandler, who for eighteen years was head of the Iowa Savings Bank at Dike, and who helped to organize it and who was appointed Superintendent of Iowa banks by Governor Loveless 6 months ago, died suddenly and unexpectedly in Des Moines at ten o'clock Monday night. He and his wife returned two weeks ago from a trip to the East where they attended a national convention of bankers. He became ill shortly after the return from the eastern trip and was hospitalized. He was believed to be recovering satisfactorily from his illness when he was stricken. A heart attack was the cause of his death--while he was in the Methodist hospital.

Funeral Services Thursday
Funeral services will be in Des Moines at nine o'clock Thursday morning, after which the body will be brought to Dike where services will be held in the Methodist church at two o'clock. Burial will be in the Dike cemetery.

Had Long and Successful Career In Bank Field
Mr. Chandler had a long and successful career in the banking field. He was associated with banks in different capacities for 33 years, starting as a bookkeeper. For eleven years he was employed by the State Banking Department in the liquidating and the receivership department. It was while he was in this field and helping to liquidate two banks at Dike that he decided to go into business there and to make that town his home.

Organized Dike Bank
In 1939 he gave up his position with the state department and helped to organize the Iowa Savings Bank at Dike. The bank under his leadership won the united confidence of the people of the Dike community and it has had a constant growth. No man ever won the confidence of the people of the community as completely as did Lee Chandler and none have felt that this confidence was misplaced.

Called To State Department
Mr. Chandler's long and successful experience in banking had gained him a wide acquaintance with bakers throughout the state and his ability as a banker and as an executive officer was called to the attention of Governor Loveless who asked him to become the head of the state banking department. While Mr. Chandler deeply regretted leaving his post at the Iowa Savings Bank at Dike and the community of which he had become so important a part, he could not decline the honor of being asked to become the head of the State's Banking Department. The Governor made the appointment last February and it was accepted and he and his family moved to Des Moines in May.

Sudden Death Shock to Family and Many Friends
Mr. Chandler's sudden death came as a shock to his family and to his many friends over the state, especially in Grundy county. He had only reached the prime of life and had appeared to be in perfect physical condition up to his late illness.

Governor Has High Praise
Gov. Herschel C. Loveless, who said he will attend the Des Moines memorial service and plans to go to Dike for the funeral, lauded Chandler as a "devoted public servant who brought to state government a vast knowledge of banking."

"To his family and many personal friends," the governor said, "I extend my deepest sympathy. The Dike community and the entire state share in the sorrow over the untimely loss of Lee Chandler."

The State Banking Department at Des Moines will be closed on Thursday for the funeral services.

Was An Active Civic Leader
During his years at Dike, Mr. Chandler took a very active interest in community affairs. He served as town clerk for 8 years, on the board of education for seven years, was a member of the Grundy county board of education, was Grundy county Savings Bond chairman two years, member of the Grundy county Selective Service board for four years, was a member of the executive board of the Wapsipinicon Area Council of the Boy Scouts, a past president of the Dike Chamber of Commerce, the Grundy County Bankers Association, and was a former Group Secretary and chairman of Group 7 of the Iowa Bankers Assn. He also had been a steward and trustee of the Dike Methodist church.

Rated High In Politics
Mr. Chandler for many years took an active interest in politics and he ranked high throughout the state as a leader of his party.

Appointed To Executive Committee Natl Bank Assn
While in New York attending the meeting of the National Bankers Association of Supervisors of State Bankers he was appointed as a member of the executive committee.

Was a Native of Wisconsin
Mr. Chandler was 53 years old. He was a native of Wisconsin. He was born at Three Lakes, Wisconsin. At an early age he came with his parents to Iowa. He graduated from high school at Buffalo Center. Later he attended the State University of Iowa for three years after which he took his first job in a bank.

Wife and Son Survive
Immediate survivors are his wife, Margaret and son, Richard, Des Moines. Other surviving members of his family are a sister, Mrs. Lyle Anderson of Garden City, Minn.; three brothers, Ralph of Pittsburg, California and Gordon and Lowell of Martinez, California.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 17 October 1957, pg 1, 8