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D. Hugh Drake
D. Hugh Drake
West Des Moines
D. Hugh Drake, 87, of West Des Moines, IA, was born on December 5, 1936, in Lincoln, NE, to Ralph and Ruth Hawk Drake. He passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA.
Hugh graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1955 and the University of Iowa in 1960 and received his Master’s Degree at Colorado State.
He pursued athletics in high school and college, playing on the ‘57 and ‘59 winning Rose Bowl teams. His ‘58 team earned a share of the national championship. After graduating, he played one season for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League.
Hugh was the line coach at Upper Iowa University and then taught and coached football, track and
wrestling at high schools in Estherville, Grundy Center, Des Moines East, and Des Moines Lincoln.
Besides Hawkeye football games, golfing, and line dancing, he and Rosemary enjoyed many summers at Sun Valley Lake, IA, and winters in Mesa, AZ.
Hugh is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosemary; a daughter, Nancy Sparby, and husband Michael of Northfield, MN; a son, Tom Drake, of West Des Moines; and two granddaughters, Gabriel Sparby and Sofia Sparby. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.
The family would like to thank Kavanagh House for the excellent care he received while there.
A private family service will be held in the columbarium garden at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, West Des Moines.
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