In anticipation of the Apgar Family Water Plaza opening on June 6 at 11am in the Linn Creek District, this is part 1 in the final in a series of 3 articles documenting the legacy of the Apgar Family in Marshalltown.

For 3 generations the family documented, and therefore preserved, key moments in the lives of individuals and the community itself. Through Tom Apgar’s extraordinarily generous gift, the Apgar name will continue to be associated with memory making moments and community pride.

Pat and Dorothy Apgar were parents to 2 boys, John Edwards, born March, 1953, and Thomas ‘Tom’ Patton, born January, 1955. The family were Episcopalian, and attended St. Paul’s in Marshalltown, adopting the values of their faith which included productive pursuits, dedication to family and contributing to the greater good. They believed strongly in ‘work first, play later’ and instilled in their boys the tenets of their faith.

Less than 2 years apart in age, John and Tom did nearly everything together. Tom calls John ‘the best older brother anyone could ever hope for’.

Scouting was a hugely influential force in their lives and after progressing through Boy Scouts, each earned Eagle Scout status. They were very active outside of scouting as well, participating in the Y swim team and volleyball, which was a deep passion of their father’s.

As the family were members of Elmwood Country Club, the boys had access to the golf course and pool. But enjoying such amenities was not allowed until daily chores were completed. And chores they did have! Tom remembers trimming trees, mowing the large family property, washing windows.

The Apgar’s did not believe in spoiling their sons and when either placed in a swimming competition through the YM-YWCA (as then known), ‘rewards’ were bestowed in keeping with performance. A 3rd place designation meant the family had hot dogs for dinner, 2nd place, the meal was upgraded to hamburgers and 1st place brought steak to the table.

As they grew, the brothers remained active in physical activities. Tom was a golfer and swimmer, and John pursued swimming and football. John was a lifeguard at Riverview pool from 1970-1971, and for several years, both were lifeguards at Crosby Pool. John later became the manager at Crosby.

Tom credits their parents with gifting them educational and personal freedom. He said, “My folks were so cool”. They wanted the boys to go to college, they paid for it. They wanted them to pursue what they wanted to and to be happy. There was never any expectation for either to take on the family photography business, but Pat and Dorothy were clear they wanted both of them to pursue college. And they did.

John attended the University of Iowa, College of Business, earning a degree in Public Relations/Marketing.

After college, John began working for Motorola Corp., in Schaumburg, Illinois. Recognized by the Vice President for exceptional personal and communication skills, John quickly rose through the corporate ranks and at age 27 was the PR manager for the communications division. He traveled the world promoting Motorola and was instrumental in developing innovative wireless systems, most notably for the blind skier Sheila Holzworth, who went on to win 2 gold medals and a silver medal at the 1984 Winter Paralympics.

Tom also attended the University of Iowa, College of Business, majoring in insurance. Upon graduating, he accepted a position with Marshalltown insurance agents Loras Neuroth and Dean Vaughn. And though Tom was ‘marginally okay’ at being an insurance agent, he was not keen on doing cold calls; not a fan of the rejections.

Most unfortunately, early in his career with Motorola, John was diagnosed with a rare, recurring cancer; a free forming tumor that despite major chemotherapy over 18 mos., kept recurring. He came home to be with his family for his final months, vacillating between home care and hospitalization. Understandably, the family spent as much time as possible with him during these months. John Edwards Apgar died October 16th, 1981, aged, 28 years, and is buried in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery.

Riverview Pool was rebuilt and reopened in 1982, shortly after John’s passing, and given his history on swimming teams and at city pools, Emily Cartwright and John Norris Sr., both heavily involved in the rebuild, approached the Apgar Family for permission to name the pool after John. And so, the rebuilt pool became the John Apgar Memorial Pool. The Apgar pool was closed in 2002 as Marshalltown Parks & Recreation was embarking on a new Aquatics Center.

During the tender time of John’s demise, he ‘planted the seed’ that Tom might join, and assume, the family business. Pat was in his early 60’s at this time and had already achieved everything professionally that he’d set out to do. John thought that if Tom took over the business it would give their father a ‘way out’ and still maintain the family legacy. At the time, the conversation was just between the brothers. Pat and Dorothy did not know what John had proposed. And Tom promised his brother he would consider such.

To read the full articles visit: https://artsandculturealliance.org/portfolio/apgar-family-water-plaza/.

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Nancy Jeanne Adams is a local artist based in Marshalltown.