Duane Nollsch

DUANE NOLLSCH

Iowa City

Duane Arthur Nollsch, 90, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., in Iowa City, with Pastor John Raab officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Private family burial will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Iowa City or the Mercy hospice unit of Mercy Iowa City.

Duane Arthur Nollsch was born Jan. 22, 1924, son of Arthur B. and Clara M. Nollsch, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was raised in Marion. Duane graduated from Marion High School in 1941. He was elected to the National Honor Society. Nollsch was awarded two varsity letters each in basketball and golf.

Duane went to work as a clerk in the Iowa division offices of the Milwaukee Railroad. After a short time in the United States Navy, he was granted an honorable medical discharge in June 1943. He then enrolled in the engineering college at the University of Iowa and received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in June 1947. While at the university, he was elected to Tau Beta Phi, the honorary engineering fraternity, and to Eta Kappa Nu, the honorary electrical engineering fraternity.

Nollsch joined General Electric Co. as a test engineer working at various plants. He went off test as a control engineer in the locomotive and car equipment control division of GE in Erie, Pa. He moved to Iowa City in July 1950 to become the power plant engineer at the University of Iowa. In 1963, he was promoted to superintendent of Buildings and Grounds (later designated director of the physical plant) at the university. He held this position until he retired in April 1986.

Duane married the love of his life, Mildred Horner, on Feb. 1, 1948, at First Methodist Church in Marion. The couple enjoyed 64 wonderful years together as husband and wife. Mildred passed away on their 64th wedding anniversary.

Duane was an avid golfer. He began playing golf at age 11 and continued playing regularly through age 86. He was fortunate to play many of the fine courses in the United States. His two favorite courses were the Cedar Rapids Country Club and the Finkbine course at the University of Iowa. Duane shot his age, 77, on July 4, 2001, at Finkbine. He had his only hole-in-one at the age of 82.

Duane was a member of First United Methodist Church, Iowa City Host Noon Lions Club, Herbert Hoover Chapter of the Iowa Engineering Society, and an emeritus member of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges.

Survivors include his four children, Nancy (Bob) Holmes, Jackie (Paul) Kapke, Daniel Nollsch and David (Leslie) Nollsch; seven grandchildren, Nathan (Jennifer), Beth (Russell), Rachel (Jordan), Daniel (Sarah), Jennifer (James), Travis and Matthew; and a great-granddaughter, Lyla.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Millie, in 2012; and an infant son, Douglas.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.