Howard R. Shanks (1937-2009)
SHANKS, HART, DEGRAW, MAJORS
Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 4/17/2009 at 21:55:06
THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, April 16, 2009.
Howard R. Shanks, 71, of Ames, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009. The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames. A reception will follow the service at Wesley Hall.
Howard Russell Shanks was born Aug. 25, 1937, in Floyd County, to Russell and Winifred (Hart) Shanks. Howard graduated from Nora Springs High School in 1955, received a bachelor’s. degree in physics from Iowa State University in 1959, and an master’s degree in physics from the South Dakota School of Mines.
On Dec. 23, 1956, Howard married Laura Irene DeGraw. They were blessed with three children, Kevin (Rita) Shanks, of Denver, Colo., Brent (Jacqueline) Shanks, of Ames, and Kimberly (Shawn) Majors, of Ankeny.
By vocation, he worked for 45 years as a research physicist in the Ames Laboratory and at the Microelectronics Research Center. During this time, he particularly enjoyed mentoring graduate students and junior scientists. His career focused on thermo-conductivity in metal alloys, amorphous semiconductors and materials for use in solar energy and GPS systems. His research resulted in numerous papers and patents.
By avocation, he was a historian, a paleontologist, a mineralogist, a genealogist and a “tractorologist.” He was a member of the Floyd County Historical Society, the Nora Springs Historical Society, the Ames Rock and Mineral Club, the Midwest Federation of the Gemological Society, the Iowa Genealogical Society and the Cedar Valley Engine Club. Most recently, he had been working with the Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, N.M., to donate his lifelong collection of fossils to the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum.
He also was committed to his community. As a member of Collegiate United Methodist Church, he served as a trustee and as a member of other committees. He also was an active member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, the Friendship Force of Central Iowa, the Iowa State University Alumni Association and the Dutch Oven coffee group.
He is survived by his wife, Laura; two sons, Kevin (Rita) Shanks and Brent (Jacqueline) Shanks; one daughter, Kimberly (Shawn ) Majors; one brother, Michael (Colleen) Shanks; and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Israel Family Hospice House, Collegiate/Wesley Foundation Endowment Fund or Youth and Shelter Services.
The Shanks family appreciates the outpouring of love and support that has been received during this difficult time.
Adams Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
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