Ross Patton “Pat” Apgar was born on May 29, 1922, in Marshalltown to Ross Edward and Emma Apgar. Older sister Mary welcomed the arrival of Pat and his twin sister, Patricia, on that day. Interestingly, Pat’s parents actually met at a Marshalltown Country Club dance, located by the Iowa River, on the evening that R. E. Apgar moved to town and finalized the purchase of an existing portrait photography business from T. A. Brown. October 1, 1911, was the origin of Apgar Photography Studio, located upstairs on the NW corner of Center and Main Streets.

In high school, Pat was active in drama, journalism, football and marching band. His first passion, to strive to be the best, was baton twirling to lead the marching band. It was a predominately male activity in those days with regional competitions and prize money. He achieved individual National Superior ratings in 1938, 1939 and 1940. Pat hitchhiked to competitions in Omaha, Mason City (Merideth Wilson Festival), Minneapolis, and Soldiers Field, Chicago, to perform in front of 85,000 spectators. Pat was the first person in the country to twirl three batons at the same time. He graduated from high school in 1940 and enrolled at Iowa State College in Ames, where he was a drum major and baton twirler and led the marching band for four years. At college, Pat was a photo editor of a campus publication, Beta Theta Pi fraternity, engineering school major, ROTC.

Pat served in the Army for a total of 8 1/2 years active service and was Honorably Discharged as 1st Lieutenant. He enlisted into ROTC at college, was called to active duty WWII April, 1943 and completed OCS in June 1944. Pat was an instructor of Field Engineering courses at Ft. Belvoir, VA, located near Washington D.C. His specialty was teaching other engineering officer candidates about enemy land mines, minefield techniques, booby traps, explosives and obstacle demolitions through June 1946. Pat auditioned and was welcomed as the Drum Major and exhibition Baton Twirler with the Washington Redskins Marching Band for every home game in 1944 and 1945. His signature starting move would be to cue the music, lead the band onto the field by throwing two batons high into the air on one side of the goal posts and catch them in full stride on the other side. Not an easy feat. It abruptly ended one Monday morning when his commanding officer, who was seated close to the field and recognized his face, saw Pat dressed in the provided Native American outfit and threatened discharge for not being in proper military uniform.

Pat was placed on active reserve after WWII wind down. He went back to ISU to finish his civil engineering major. He met his future bride, Dorothy, on campus. She was a graduate teaching assistant in the Home Economics Dept. Not being shy, Pat enrolled in her class so she would notice him. It worked as they dated and were united in marriage on May 9, 1948, on the family farm in Kansas. Pat was welcomed by his father to join into the family photography business and graduated from the Progressive School of Photography in New Haven, CT. He moved back to Marshalltown until the Army recalled him back into active service in September 1950. Three assignments involved refresher training and one year later Pat was off to South Korea as an advisor to the South Korean Army; teaching their engineers about landmines, explosives, booby traps, bridging and fortifications. Pat’s father, R.E., had suffered a stroke, survived and Pat came home on leave and the Army allowed him to be inactive and take over the family business and then officially discharged in 1953.

Dorothy and Pat had purchased some land, built a house and started their family. Two sons, John Apgar, born in 1953, and Tom Apgar in 1955. Pat also put his energy into building up the family photography business into full service portrait and commercial photography; specializing in high school seniors, family groups, weddings, children, as well as legal and product photography for numerous manufacturing companies in town. Enhancing his artistic abilities and passion for perfection, he entered portraits into regional judging events yearly. Pat twice received the Medlar Award for the best portrait of the Year in Iowa, judged by other professionals. Dramatic lighting, posing and interesting subjects were chosen to tell a story. These are treasured classic images created in a style rarely seen today. Pat amassed hundreds of Merits of Excellence for prints professionally judged over the years and he achieved Prof. Photog. of America awards of Certified Prof. Photog. in 1956, Master of Photography in 1956, Photographic Craftsman in 1960. In addition, he developed two programs, seniors and children, where he was in demand as a regional and national speaker presenting to professional photography conventions. International PP of A panel judging in the 70’s and 80’s. More importantly, Pat was serving and pleasing the photography needs of families in central Iowa. Genuinely building trust, loyalty, and relationships with families with the help of a large fulltime staff at the Studio.

Sons John and Tom were both college grads, Betas, and pursued their own careers. John, public relations manager in the communications division of Motorola, was on his way up the corporate ladder when he tragically passed from a prolonged battle with a rare cancer at age 28. Brother John requested Tom to “take care of our parents and consider coming into the family photography business.” Thank You, John. In December 1981, Tom became the 3rd generation to gladly perpetuate the family business. Thanks to Pat, Tuck, Darrel and others for mentoring Tom and for all your years of loyalty to Apgar Studio. In 1987, Tom purchased the business from Pat after inventorying and amortizing every camera, lens, light, pencil and paper clip. The business continued to prosper and serve central Iowa families. Pat stopped creating photos within a couple of years and was able to travel with Dorothy and enjoy retirement. They welcomed the neighborhood kids to play in the yard, come visit at any time, and mutually enjoy an abundance of productive activities. Pat and Dorothy made a lot of friendships and loved every minute.

Volleyball. Giving back. Perhaps his greatest passions! Pat learned the game in the military and loved the skill sets required, physically and especially mentally, where you can out-finesse your opponents. Pat actively played well into his 60’s. He played on the YMCA league for over 30 years, always recruiting and encouraging new players to the sport. Pat got son Tom’s generation involved and they had fun. It was a summertime, every Friday night tradition (open to all), to come to Pat’s outdoor, hard surface volleyball court, complete with lights and play from 5:00 p.m. until whenever we finally pooped out. Keg beer and often Dorothy’s sandwiches were included. In the winter, Y league and every Thanksgiving night was the conversion of the indoor tennis court into a volleyball court, of course, Pat developed the system. He enjoyed playing and welcomed all. Iowa Girls High School volleyball programs were gaining momentum in the 1980’s, but not in Marshalltown. So Pat Apgar convinced MHS athletic director, George Funk, to convert, reluctantly, the hallowed basketball court into accommodating girls’ volleyball and it would become a big sport some day. Pat learned a math teaching position was open and recruited Bruce Vopova to apply and start the girls program in 1984. Several years later, MHS girls’ volleyball won a state championship.

Apgar Volleyball Club, started in the winter 1985, sponsored yearly by Pat and Tom, administered by Coach Vopova and many volunteers was a statewide AAU competition girls’ ages 10 -18, junior development program designed to welcome and motivate young girls into this great sport, teaching them skills and encouraging improvement. Girls learned to compete, sacrifice, succeed, socialize, and have fun. For 32 years, Apgar Volleyball Club positively impacted 100 + girls per year teaching volleyball skills that evolve into life skills. Over the years, Pat helped fund new volleyball court equipment at MHS, Miller M.S., Community College, YMCA and outdoor court at the city park. He was proud to be honored by MHS in 2001, naming the Pat Apgar Invitational Volleyball Tournament held annually.

Pat was proud to be a Rotarian for 72 years, son of a founding member. He served on many boards over the years, YMCA, JayCees, Chamber, Scouting, and the local hospital. He was a lifetime member of Elmwood, son of a charter lifetime member. Thank you to Pat’s caregivers at home and the wonderful three months at The Willows. His mind and soul were healthy, but his body was tired. Time for rest and peace.

Pat Apgar is survived by son Tom. Reunited in death with Dorothy and John.