Dr. William Rainbow (1930-2021)

RAINBOW, CLARK, SHORT

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/14/2021 at 17:44:40

DR. WILLIAM "BUD" RAINBOW Chandler, Ariz. William Clark "Bud" Rainbow passed away Saturday Dec. 11, 2021, in Chandler, Ariz. The third of seven children, Bud was born March 2, 1930, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Ivan Clark and Mae Rosetta (Short) Rainbow. He attended the "lab school" at the Iowa Normal School (now UNI) through fifth grade, at which time his family moved to Anoka, Minn. He completed high school there, where he competed in football, basketball, baseball and track, earning a record 13 varsity letters. Bud attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls from 1948-1952 playing quarterback on a football scholarship. It was while there he met the love of his life, Joy Emmons. They wed on Dec. 30, 1949, in Cedar Falls. Bud completed his bachelor's degree in education in 1952 and subsequently taught in the Iowa communities of Rolfe and Toledo before settling in Cedar Rapids in 1955 to teach at Franklin High School. When Washington High School opened in 1957, he was pleased to take the position as assistant football coach and taught driver's education as well. In 1961, Bud was offered the head football coaching position at Washington High School. That fall, the Washington Warriors won the Mississippi Valley Conference football title and Bud was awarded conference coach of the year. Bud's quest to further his education resulted in a master's in education at Michigan State University in 1965. Bud earned a doctorate in education at the University of Iowa in 1969. Beginning in the fall of 1969, Bud took various administrative positions in the Cedar Rapids Community School District, before becoming director of cecondary education in 1979, where he remained until retiring in 1990. Bud's greatest professional accomplishment was the hiring and mentoring of many outstanding teachers and administrators. It gave him great joy to see so many of these people grow and prosper in their careers, and to see their many contributions in educating young people. Throughout his career and into his retirement, Bud received many honors such as the Anoka High School Hall of Fame, the Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the University of Northern Iowa Community Involvement award. Bud also remained physically active throughout his life, winning local and regional golf competitions including a putting competition in the retirement community where he lived in Arizona. Bud is survived by five children, Gary (Peggy) Rainbow of Madison, Wis., Mark (Barbara) Rainbow of Fairfield, Iowa, Peter (June) Rainbow of Robins, Iowa, Joel (Diane) Rainbow of Mesa, Ariz., and Kate (Nate) Marsceau of Marion, Iowa. Bud had 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Virginia Dahlheimer of Anoka, Minn., Jack Rainbow of Pomona, Calif., Jim (Bonnie) Rainbow of Anoka, Minn., Marilyn Washburn of Anoka, Minn., Doug Rainbow of Port Sainte-Lucie, Fla., and Don (Marlyse) Rainbow of Coon Rapids, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Mae Rainbow; and his beloved wife, Joy. A Celebration of Life will held in April, with details to be announced later.
Published by The Gazette on Dec. 14, 2021.