grave import

Obituary

Harry Y. Baxter, 82, of Burlington died Friday, March 8, 2013 at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. Born September 29, 1930 in Burlington, he was the son of Raymond W. and Katherine “Kate” Wickham Baxter. Harry was a graduate of Burlington High School class of 1948. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952 with a degree in Business and joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served until 1954.

On October 2, 1954 he married Elaine Bland from Washington D.C. in Oak Park, Illinois. They moved to San Francisco, California where he worked for Wells Fargo Bank and joined the Army Reserve. They moved to Burlington in 1956 and Harry started a long career working as a stock and commodities broker at the firm of Schoff & Baxter founded by his father and uncle. He became owner and president following his father’s death. He was a long time member of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Stock Exchange. KBUR listeners will remember hearing Harry give the daily stock and commodities closing report.

Harry continued his military career and served for 28 years in the U.S. Army on active and reserve duty. He commanded the 495th Engineer Battalion of Southeast Iowa from 1973 to 1977. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. After retiring from Schoff & Baxter, he worked part time in the office of the Des Moines County Veterans Affairs Office.

Harry also devoted a great deal of his time to working in politics on behalf of the Democratic Party. He served as Chairman of the Des Moines County Democratic Party from 1970 to 1980 and served on the Democratic State Central Committee. He was active at the national level, most notably as an early supporter of Jimmy Carter’s bid for the Presidency. In 1975 he hosted the first campaign event in Iowa for Carter. In 1976 Harry was elected as a Carter delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 1978 President Carter recognized Harry’s commitment to a strong military and appointed him to the Board of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. Harry served as Vice Chairman in 1978 and Chairman in 1980. He was proud to have been Chairman of the Board the year that the first women cadets graduated from the Academy.

Harry was a political partner to his wife, former Iowa Secretary of State Elaine Baxter, in her political career. He played a key role in her many campaigns for local, state and national offices.

Another of Harry’s concerns was improving housing for senior citizens and for many years he served on the Board of the Burlington Low Rent Housing Agency as a Board Member and Chairman. In recognition of his efforts, he was presented the Leland McCosh award for outstanding public service to Greater Southeast Iowa.

Harry enjoyed playing tennis most of his life. For many years he was a member of the New Crystal Lake Club and the Burlington Golf Club where he served as president in 1970. He was an avid fan of tennis, golf, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, R. Wickham Baxter and sister-in-law Janet Baxter. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elaine, his two sons Harry W. of Miami Beach, Florida and John of New York, New York, his daughter, Katherine (Kate) Baxter Anderson, her husband Art and their children John and Will of Dallas, Texas. Also surviving are two nieces and their families.

Funeral services for Harry Y. Baxter will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in Prugh’s Chapel. Pastor Jane Willan will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa. Military rites will be conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. in Prugh’s Chapel. A memorial has been established for The Crapo Park Foundation and the Des Moines County Historical Society.