Ivan Byrd

IVAN HAROLD (AL) BYRD

Cedar Rapids

Ivan Harold (Al) Byrd died peacefully from natural causes on Dec. 17, 2017, with family by his side.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Parish Center, Cedar Rapids. A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.

Ivan was born Nov. 21, 1923, the only child of Hallie Ivan and Laura Belle (Smith) Byrd, on the Smith family farm outside of Olin, Iowa. Growing up, he was into hunting and fishing on the nearby Wapsipinicon River. He graduated from Olin High School, then entered the U.S. Army. Ivan served in Company C, 312th Engineer Battalion. He was awarded an African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in the Ahr River region 20 miles south of Remagen, Germany.

After he returned home from recuperation from his injuries, he studied at Iowa State University and Buena Vista College. He worked for the forestry service in Idaho. He then moved to Cedar Rapids, where he met the love of his life, Katherine Marie Schmuecker, from Watkins. After they wed, he went to work for Arthur Collins at Collins Radio. He was the highest classification machinist in the model shop. Ivan machined parts for communication devices that became part of the space race. The parts he created were sent up in the Mercury, Apollo and Gemini missions, as well as the Space Shuttle. He was very proud of being part of the "space race."

He said the best things he created were in his basement shop. He created archery equipment and fishing lures; he also designed, built and modified firearms. Ivan always was trying to modify what was already out there. He said, "They started with an idea and I improved it."

Ivan loved outdoor sports. He was one of the original members of the Waltonian Archers. He always was a great storyteller, though he seldom told jokes. He had a story for all occasions. He was a teacher, starting with his children in learning to read and think logically, assisting other workers at Collins in learning trigonometry, or trying to teach people how to cook. Dad never met anyone that he didn't consider a friend. He will be missed by many.

Ivan leaves to honor his memory, William (Sherry) of Asbury, Iowa, Joseph (Deborah) of Cedar Rapids, Barbara (Gary) Klawiter of Toddville and Janice (Justin) See of Palo. He leaves nine grandchildren, a stepgranddaughter, 20 great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, Edward and James Schmuecker; his sister-in-law, Virginia Becker; their children and his cousins.

Ivan was preceded in death by his wife of almost 58 years, Katherine (Bobby); his infant daughter, Mary Kay; son, John Andrew; his parents; his in-laws, Alfred and Loretta Schmuecker; and in-laws, Colleen Callan and Melvin Schmuecker.

The family would like to thank the staff at West Ridge Care Center for their superior care, comfort and caring for Dad. And also to the churches that ministered to Dad: St. Patrick's Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Jude's Parish.

Please share your support and memories with Ivan's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.