McNee, John C. (1925-2004)

MCNEE, MILLER, LAW

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/17/2023 at 14:17:59

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Thursday, September 23, 2004

John C. McNee, 79, of Ames died Sept. 22, 2004. Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 27 at the Collegiate Presbyterian Church with Rev. Larry Mitchell officiating. The body will be cremated. Burial will be 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27 in the Iowa State University Cemetery with full military honors.

John was born Aug. 20, 1925 in Blairsburg, the son of J.H. and Elsie (Miller) McNee. He was a graduate of the Blairsburg High School. He married Dorothy Law on Sept. 18, 1944 in Ft. Dodge.

He served as an Infantry Sergeant during World War II in the European Theater of Operation and received the infantry combat badge, four battle stars and the bronze medal for meritorious achievement in ground combat.

John graduated from Cornell College in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received a Master of Arts degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan in 1951 and a Master of Arts in Science degree from Iowa State University in Economic History in 1960.

He was a member of the Iowa State Faculty for 37 years, retiring August 1, 1988 as Professor Emeritus and Assistant Director for Public Services at the Iowa State University Parks Library. John was active professionally at both the state (Iowa Library Association) and national (American Library Association) level of which he was a life-time member.

He served on the Faculty Council and was an active member of the American Association of University Professors. He was the first president of the Iowa State University chapter of the Iowa Higher Education Association. John was a materials selection consultant to both industry and educational institutions and represented Iowa State on many North Central Association evaluations of the Iowa high schools.

John worked closely with minority groups on campus to locate, finance and purchase property to serve as a Black Cultural Center. He was chair of the first Martin Luther King Scholarship Drive on campus and served on the Board of Directors of the Black Cultural Center.

He was selected for membership in the Cardinal Key Honorary in recognition of his many years of service to the undergraduate student body.

He was a member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors, a member of the Curators Association for the Brunnier Art Museum, a member of the Order of the Knoll and a life-time member of the National Cyclone Club and Memorial Union.