Charles Edwin Railsback (1930-2010)

RAILSBACK, MARK, STEVENSON

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 5/16/2010 at 10:00:12

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, May 12, 2010.

Charles Edwin Railsback died May 5, 2010, at his home in Green Hills retirement community in Ames, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15, at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames.

Charles was born Aug. 25, 1930, to Floyd Chester and Addie Belle Railsback (née Mark), of Gallatin, Mo. He graduated from Gallatin High School in 1948, earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Central Methodist College of Missouri in 1952, and then served in the Army’s 10th Division band at Fort Riley, Kan., and in the Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C.

At Central Methodist, he met Patsy Ruth Stevenson, of Ferguson, Mo., and they married June 26, 1954. After his military service, Charles and Pat moved to Iowa City, where they raised three children, Lynn (1955), Steven (1957) and Philip (1959), all surviving, and cared for Addie, who lived with them until her death in 1975. In Iowa City, Charles began his career as a fourth-grade teacher, became principal of Longfellow School, and joined Iowa City’s central school administration while also earning master’s and doctorate degrees in elementary education at the University of Iowa. In 1969, the family moved to La Grange, Ill., where he was an assistant superintendent of Elementary School District 102 until 1980. After a year as superintendent of elementary schools in Oak Park, Ill., and a year teaching at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, he joined the faculty of Iowa State University’s Department of Professional Studies in the College of Education. After retiring in 1996, he supervised student teachers for several years and enjoyed many years of travel, gardening and volunteer service. In 2004, Pat and Charles celebrated their 50th anniversary by lovingly renewing their wedding vows.

His proudest accomplishments were the many ways that he advanced the practice of elementary education, especially in reading. His fondest memories included the many outstanding colleagues and students he had in Iowa City, La Grange and at Iowa State. To many of us, though, his greatest achievements were his lifelong integrity, commitment to equality among races, social classes, and genders, hard work, warm friendliness, dry humor and wry smile, and the way he tried every day to make each bit of the world he encountered a better place.

The family thanks the many people who helped make Charles’ final years as enjoyable as possible, especially Dr. Rupal Amin, the staff and members of Collegiate Presbyterian Church, the staff and residents of Green Hills, Heartland Adult Day Center, and the staff of WesleyLife Home and Hospice care.

Pat and Charles have requested donations in his memory to Collegiate Presbyterian (cpcames.org), Heartland Senior Services (www.heartlandseniorservices.com), the Iowa Wildlife Center (www.iowawildlifecenter.org), or other charities.

http://www.amestrib.com/
 

Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen