Daniel A. Dreckman 1953-2005

NEWKIRK, DRECKMAN

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 8/21/2005 at 11:27:48

Daniel A. Dreckman, 52 of Iowa City died Thursday, August 18, 2005 at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Lensing Funeral Service-605 Kirkwood Ave. A Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1:00 pm at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Iowa City Animal Shelter or the American Cancer Society.

Dan was born July 3, 1953 in Iowa City the son of Ambrose and Mona (Newkirk) Dreckman. He graduated from Regina High School in 1971. He attended Kirkwood and Mount Mercy College and studied police science. Dan married Christine Plumer on December 28, 1974, they later divorced. They had one daughter, Jennifer.

Dan began working for the Iowa City Police Department in 1972 as a front desk clerk. He worked for several years for the Johnson County Sheriffs Department as a radio dispatcher and deputy. On December 1, 1976 Dan was hired as an Iowa City Police officer, a position he held until his retirement on September 15, 2004.

During his career, Dan chose to work in the community as a uniformed patrol officer. He loved working the street as a patrolman and made it known that he felt most effective in that role. He was a mentor and source of vast legal and procedural knowledge for younger officers. Dan received several awards and police department commendations during his career, including the Dick Lee Award in 2001. He served as president of the police labor relations organization, and was intensely involved in police union politics for over 20 years. Dan loved and had deep loyalty and dedication to his job, the people he worked with and the community he served.

Dan enjoyed many things: cooking, gardening, fishing with his daughter, train and battleship history, enjoying his many pets and spending time with family and friends. He took great pleasure from sharing the flowers and vegetables from his garden with everyone he encountered.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Dreckman of Iowa City, special friend Sue Newman of Iowa City, sisters and brothers; Brigit Leeney and her husband Gene of Oxford, Monica Louvar and her husband Robert of Belvedere, Illinois, Patrick Dreckman and his wife Mary of Ludlow, Washington and Michael Dreckman of Iowa City. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Hannah, all of Iowa City.

On -lne condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com