John Warren Romkey
Born: August 15th, 1930
Died: July 21st, 2011
Obituary
John Warren "Jack" Romkey, 80, died Thursday, July 21, 2011, in his home at Bickford Cottage. Born Aug. 15, 1930, in Burlington, he was the son of Glenn and Lucille Lord Romkey. He married Willa Oswalt in Galesburg, Ill., in 1954. Later he married Mary Lou Gulick Boyd in El Paso, Texas, in 1971. Mr. Romkey's lifelong passion was flying. He earned his pilot's license at an early age. He owned and flew a succession of contemporary and vintage airplanes, including a World War II-era Stearman biplane. After earning certification to fly business jets, he sometimes piloted Sen. Tom Harkin and Iowa Hawkeyes football coach Hayden Fry around the country. After attending Wentworth Military and University of Iowa, he served with honor in the Army as a paratrooper captain, including combat in Korea. He was a 50-year member of the OX5 Club, an organization of pilots who have flown vintage aircraft powered with OX5 engines; the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; the Antique Aircraft Association; Rotary International; and the Burlington Country Club. Patriotism was important to him, and when he was a boy, he volunteered his pet dog, Duke, a Doberman, to the war effort. This dog served with distinction with the Marines during World War II, and is credited for saving the life of his handler, whom he was given to after the war. He was an avid sportsman with a special love for dogs and ducks. For many years, he kept a houseboat and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family on the Mississippi River. He had a quick wit, a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. Survivors include five children, Mike Tomkey of Bettendorf, Robbin Voice of Davenport, Kurt Romkey of St. Peters, Mo., Melissa Boisen of Lawrence, Kan., and Melinda Alexander of College Park, Ga.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, father, mother, step-mother, and one sister. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Prugh's Chapel, where family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral service for Mr. Romkey will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Prugh's Chapel, with the Rev. Thomas Janikowski officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice and Des Moines County Humane Society