John A. Bath

John A. Bath, 100, of Ames, died on May 23rd at Israel Family Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family. He had lived in Ames since 1946 and at Green Hills Retirement Community since 2007, where he served on committees, enjoyed independent living and many social activities. He was born on the family farm near Brownville, Nebraska, on September 28, 1910, and was raised there by his parents, Minnie and John, along with 8 brothers and sisters. Many great stories of those growing up years have become family lore, including his experience of attending a rural, one-room school. He graduated from nearby Peru High School and Peru State College in Peru, NE. His education continued at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he earned both his Master's in School Administration and a Ph.D in Educational Psychology. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942, and served in various locations including the Aleutian Islands. In 1944, he married Virginia (Ginger) Barnard of Lincoln and they moved to Ames in 1946 when John joined the faculty of Iowa State University. He retired as a Professor of Psychology in 1981. He and Ginger raised three children in Ames: Gary, Betsy and Karen. Bo...[more]

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John and Ginger were active in school, church and community activities. She preceded him in death in June of 1972 and Karen in April of this year. In 1974, he married Elaine Woodard of Ames. John was a member of Friday noon Kiwanis, where he held a perfect attendance record for 62 years and served in a variety of positions, including president. He belonged to the American Psychological Association, the Midwest Psychological Association and was a devoted member of the United Church of Christ-Congregational. He was an ardent supporter of education at all levels. He equipped the Student Resource Center at Peru College with a room for students who need extra academic support, funded an endowment for graduate students in educational psychology at the University of Nebraska and the Dr. John A. Bath Graduate Fellowship for graduate psychology students at ISU. During his frequent visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he never failed to ask about their studies, interests and latest accomplishments. He also loved the ISU Cyclone Athletic Program and held season football tickets for many years and basketball tickets through this past season. He was a devoted fan, attending many other athletic events as well. John's 100th year was one big celebration, including a WWII Veterans trip to Washington, D.C., a family reunion weekend in SE Nebraska, and many 100th parties hosted by his family, church, colleagues and friends. He was an inspiration to all who knew him for his love of life, family, friends, nature, education and his unfailing faith. One of his favorite places on earth was the YMCA Camp in Estes Park, CO, where he first served as a college delegate in 1929 and returned there again and again for many trips with his family. The hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park are stamped with his footprints. He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 siblings, wife Ginger and daughter Karen. Surviving are his son Gary (Carol) Bath of Gainesville, GA and daughter Betsy (Carlos) Jayne of Des Moines; six grandchildren: Hope (Shawn) Adamski, Jenny Bath and her partner Beth Rogers, Addison Bath, Angela (Jeff) Ihry, Lisa (Mike) Krugler, and Michael Armstrong and his fiancee Sasha Mangrum. Eight great-grandchildren: Kash Adamski, Jared, Connor, Max and Jack Ihry, Shawn, Peyton and Ashlyn Krugler, along with his special nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Elaine and her daughter, Kris Woodard and son, Craig (Janis) Woodard and their daughters Mackenzie and Kelsey. A family visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26th from 5 - 7 P.M. and a Celebration of Life service on Friday, May 27th, at 1:30 P.M., both at the United Church of Christ-Congregational at 6th & Kellogg in Ames. Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ-Congregational or the Israel Family Hospice House