116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Specht, Daniel F.
Daniel F. Specht, 63, of McGregor, died as a result of a farm accident on July 8, 2013.
Dan was born May 29, 1950, in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Max and Loretta Thalacker Specht. His education began in a one room school followed by graduation from Monticello High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Northern Iowa. Dan lived and farmed near McGregor from 1973 until the time of his death.
Dan was a passionate conservationist who employed farming practices that promoted diverse plant species as well as habitat for song birds and other wildlife. His love of fishing and hunting gave him joy in his recreation.
Dan was prolific in his ideas and constant in his support for sustainable farming practices, serving as a board member on the Land Stewardship Project (LSP), Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), Award Committee for Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education (SARE), and the USDA Task Force on the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone. He testified often in Washington, D.C., providing expertise on conservation, sustainable agricultural practices, and farming issues related to systemic change in policy. His leadership in agricultural issues spanned local, regional, statewide and national arenas.
Dan was a leader and visionary who gave voice to a human food production system that would fit into the natural world and would add to the value of what is done in the process.
Because Dan gave freely of his experience and expertise, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial funds be sent to Practical Farmers of Iowa, earmarking the beginning farmer-grazier program, in memory of Dan Specht and his profound knowledge and contribution to sustainable farming and living and, as Dan would say, “how it all fits together.”
Dan is survived by his four siblings, David Specht, New Lisbon, Wis., Elizabeth (Steve) Johnson, Monticello, Paul (Kim) Specht, Monticello, and Philip (Sharon) Specht, McGregor; many nieces and nephews; and his very close friend, Mary Damm.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Nathan Specht.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, led by the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Edinger.
Condolences may be left with .
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona is in charge of arrangements.
Published July 15, 2013 in The Gazette
Daily Newsletters