116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Alan D. Havlicek
Alan D. Havlicek
Cedar Rapids
Alan D. ‘Heemie’ Havlicek passed away at the Veterans Administration Community Living Center in Des Moines, Iowa on October 1, 2024 at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer.
Al was born in Ely, Iowa on October 9, 1945 to Glen and Amelia (Zvacek) Havlicek. He attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, and proudly served our country in the United States Navy on the USS Josephus Daniels, a Belknap-class Destroyer/Leader ship, which served in Europe and Cuba during times of political crisis.
Upon his honorable discharge in 1967, he worked as an ironworker with the Ironworkers Union Local 89 in Cedar Rapids which was his greatest source of pride and where he felt most comfortable. He was well respected in the Union and felt his greatest achievement in life was in his membership. He proudly recognized his Union brothers as his family and spent his later years supporting the younger members and caring for the older members and their families when times were tough or their health declined.
Al enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping on sandbars of the Cedar and Wapsipinicon rivers and a cold Miller High Life beer (or three). He was a regular attendee of all the events sponsored at his Union Hall like those involving the Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations. Al also enjoyed rooting for the Raiders and the Iowa Hawkeyes - though he allowed his sons to take them in betting - and watching old Westerns and war movies over and over again.
Alan is survived by his two sons, Matt of West Des Moines, Iowa; Mark (Beth) of Clive, Iowa; and five grandchildren. He is also survived by the woman he may have loved and respected most of all, Jane Severeid, who he affectionately called ‘Grandma’. Al is predeceased by his parents, Glen and Amelia Havlicek and siblings; Irma Jackson and David Havlicek.
The family would like to thank the many people who helped him over the years - particularly neighbor Julie and his closest friends, Seth and Steve who were always there for him, and were the last to visit him and made him smile.
A private military burial will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family who will make a charitable donation to a Veteran’s organization in his name.
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