Saydel Alumni Legacy Awards

Following high school, Kirk earned a degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and then a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Kirk joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease in 1982 and is now a partner. He is a highly regarded patent attorney registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Kirk specializes in patent protection in numerous areas. He also provides litigation support on all intellectual property issues. Kirk has written and published numerous articles and law reviews on intellectual property law and speaks across the world on important intellectual property issues. He was the Chair of the Advisory Board (2017-2019) for LEGUS International Network of Law Firms with over 70 law firm members around the globe. Kirk is rated as AV Preeminent® by LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

Civically minded, Kirk has been actively involved in many organizations over this career, including establishing a Foundation at the High School that awards annual scholarships. Other organizations that Kirk has actively been involved with, include:

Des Moines YMCA Camp including being named twice as the Des Moines YMCA Camp Volunteer of the Year

Highland Memory Gardens

University of Iowa College of Law

Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers

Iowa State University Alumni Marching Band

Kirk and his wife, Jo Renee, reside in the Saydel District.

Beth (Wood) Shelton ‘97, is a proud product of three generations who have attended Saydel. Beth was a four-sport athlete, later returning to coach and volunteer in basketball, softball, and Girl Scouts throughout the community. She also served on the Saydel school board, continuing her commitment to the district that shaped her.

Beth serves as CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, leading operations for 13,000 members across three states. In 2024, she was named a National Remarkable Woman by Nexstar Media and featured on the Jennifer Hudson Show.

She holds a BA from Simpson College and an MBA from Drake University—both of which named her an Alumni of Achievement—and was invited to deliver the 2024 commencement address for Simpson College. Beth recently completed the Artificial Intelligence certificate through MIT.

A three-time collegiate MVP, lifelong amputee, and passionate advocate for wellbeing and innovation, Beth has been invited to stages from coast to coast, from the National Academy of Sciences to the Walmart Women’s Empowerment Summit, and been featured on platforms including The Today Show, Good Morning America, USA Today, and Working Mother Magazine.

Beth enjoys cheering for her three children, Grace, Millie & Dane from the bleachers across many Saydel events

Doug grew up in the Saylorville area, the oldest of three children. After High School, he attended Iowa State University, earning his BS in Computer Engineering in 1980, an MS in Electrical Engineering in 1982, and a Ph.D in Computer Engineering in 1985.

Doug currently holds three titles—University Professor, Sunil & Sujata Gaitonde Professorship in Cybersecurity, and Director of the Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach (CyIO) located at Iowa State, created in 2000. Doug was instrumental in the start-up of the Center, which has become a nationally recognized authority in cybersecurity research, teaching and outreach. It represents multiple departments at Iowa State, to respond to the needs of students and funding agencies. The Center has obtained the designation of National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Education by the National Security Agency multiple times.

Doug has been professionally published numerous times on topics related to Cybersecurity, IT, Engineering, and related topics. You might have seen him on the local news from time to time, as he is often interviewed when there is any type of security breach locally or nationally. He has become a nationally recognized expert in his field.

Doug is also a skilled carpenter and has built additions to his home and done expansive remodeling in his spare time. He and his wife, Glenna, reside in Ames.

Shawna is the youngest of five children, all of whom attended the Saydel schools. Her parents were “Lefty” Robinson, an amateur diesel truck racer, and his Lois, who were both active in racing and promotion. Shawna was inspired at an early age to pursue racing, by many of the big-name racers of her childhood, and grew up driving minibikes, motorcycles, and snowmobiles.

Shawna started competing at a young age, and after graduating high school, began racing semi-tractors, where she achieved early success with 30 victories and was named Rookie Driver of the Year in The Great American Truck Racing Series. Several years later, she started competing in stock car racing where she became the first woman to win a top-level NASCAR sanctioned race and finished a career-high third place in the points standing.

Shawna was a competitor in all three NASCAR national touring series, as well as the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series and the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series, where she was twice voted the Series Most Popular Driver. She was also named Rookie of the Year during her Dash Series days and was the first woman to qualify first (earning a pole position) for a race. Shawna is one of 16 women to participate in the NASCAR Cup Series, and one of only two women to race and complete the Daytona 500. She became a leader in the world of racing for women, breaking barriers and knocking down stereotypes.

Shawna is now a successful business owner of Happy Chair, a custom furniture business. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her two teenage children.

Don is founder and chairman emeritus of Casey’s General Stores, who now operate more than 2000 convenience stores. Many of us here remember the very first few Casey’s stores that appeared in our District. A native Iowan, Don started the business in 1968, and since then the company has grown to encompass a 16-state market area, with annual sales of more than 7 billion dollars. The company employs over 36,000 people. Don has been inducted into the Convenience Store Industry Hall of Fame and has received the Small Business Administrations Iowa Entrepreneurial Success Award.

Don has many notable accomplishments over his career—far too many to mention. Some of those include:

Past director of Wells Fargo Bank, National By-Products and the Greater Des Moines Foundation

Founding member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Keep Iowa Beautiful, and Bridges of Iowa, Inc.

Past board member of the Mid-Iowa Boy Scouts of America and was recognized in 1998 with the Distinguished Iowa Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts Council. He also served on boards with On With Life and Beuna Vista University

Don has maintained a philanthropic nature over his successful career and continues to give back to communities across the state through the Donald F. and Charlene K. Lamberti Foundation, providing grants to various organizations. He and his wife, Charlene, continue to reside in Ankeny.

Following high school, Bob entered the US Army in May of 1966, and spent 22 years as a commissioned Second Lieutenant, commanding from entry level up through Battalion. Bob attended numerous military and civilian schools and earned a BS degree in Management from Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina. His impressive military service included tours of duty in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Kuwait.

Upon retiring from the Army, Bob joined Casey’s General Stores and began his work as a Facilities Manager at the Corporate Headquarters on January 1, 1989. Bob eventually served as the Chief Executive Officer of Caseys from June of 2006 to April of 2016. He was instrumental in modernizing the company’s operations, introducing innovative technologies, and expanding its product offerings. His leadership style emphasized collaboration and empowering teams. Further, Bob’s commitment to sustainability has also been evident, as Casey's has implemented environmentally friendly practices under his leadership.

Bob is also known for his dedication to philanthropic efforts, supporting causes such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief initiatives in the communities Casey's serves. Bob has been married to his wife, Janice since 1967, and resides in Pleasant Hill.

George attended the Saydel Schools and left school to work for the family business, then a family truck gardening operation, which later Goode Greenhouses. He worked along side his father, Joe, and mother, Helen. George eventually became owner of the greenhouse, which continues as a thriving business within the Saydel School District.

The greenhouse employed numerous students from Saydel, who would ride the bus to the greenhouse after school, and would also work weekends in the busy Spring season. George worked around a student’s school activities and game schedules for student athletes, allowing them to have a part-time job. Employees were like family to George. Further, Goode Greenhouse frequently donated to school fundraisers and provided support to school athletic programs and the music boosters.

George became a pillar of the community. He ran for Saydel School Board in the 70's and was elected. He served on the Saydel School Board for 12 years, several of those years holding the position of President. He was a member of Bethany Church, Allied Florist of Des Moines, Society of Iowa Florist and a member of the Saylor Township Fire Department.

George passed away in September of 2022. George’s two sons, Rick and Jim, continue to oversee the greenhouse and were Saydel grads as well, along with their children and grandchildren.

Rich grew up in Norwoodville, the middle child of three. As a student at Saydel, he was active in wrestling, football and track. After graduating with the Class of 1974, he spent two years serving as custodian at the High School to earn money to pay his way through college. Many of us remember Rich sweeping the halls of the high school after hours and emptying trash cans.

Rich earned his teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa, and then taught at Saydel for a number of years. He coached football, wrestling, boys and girls track and cross country.

Rich was the founder and commissioner of the Saydel Alumni Softball Tournament, which ran for 20 years beginning in the mid-80s. Many of us here tonight participated in that tournament year to year, looking forward to competing against other classes in a friendly rivalry. It was an extremely successful annual Labor Day weekend event raising over ten thousand dollars for the school and boosting spirit and connectivity among several hundred alumni, and boosting Saydel pride.

Rich was well known among the Saydel community for his energetic, upbeat attitude. Rich was a lifelong loyal and active supporter of Saydel and would always go the extra mile to help and mentor his students and players.

Rich died tragically in a car accident at age 47 in January of 2004. He was a Saydel treasure and is sorely missed.

John Gurwell was a fixture in the Saydel Community for many years, with four boys attending the Saydel Schools and actively participating in multiple sports. John was well known among young boys, as he coached for Saydel Little League for 19 years and touched many lives through baseball by instilling life lessons about hard work, determination and perseverance. His teams often won the league title.

Saydel High School coaches would often attend games where John’s teams were playing, scouting for players that would eventually play for the high school. Those coaches include Jim Gebhart, Don Mauro, and Lou Yacinich. John’s passion for coaching and baseball was unrivaled. One former player recalled, “The Indians winning streak was over three regular seasons. Coach Gurwell was an amazing and fierce competitor. The Indians were the New York Yankees of Saydel Little Leage.”

In addition to little league, John joined the fire department in 1958 and eventually became a trustee, and then head trustee for Saylor Township. John was instrumental in helping to purchase land, and then charged with building the new fire station now located at NE 54th and 2nd Avenue from an old outdated facility on 49th and 2nd Avenue. John was a superintendent for Wietz Construction, so had the experience to oversee the project. John was also active in opposing and stopping the annexation of Saydel Township into the Des Moines area.

John died in 1984 from a brain tumor at the age of 56. At the funeral service, it was standing room only, upstairs and down. He was honored by the Saylorville Fire Department that day, with the flag at half mast, fire trucks out, and the entire fire department saluting the processional. John will long be remembered as a pillar in our community.

Mary grew up just north of the high school, and attended Saydel High School from 1965 to 1968. She was an academically gifted student, and her class valedictorian. Mary received a State of Iowa Science Award her Senior year, as well as a Firestone Scholarship her first four years of college. She also lettered in tennis while in high school.

Mary attended Northwest Missouri State from 1968 to 1970, and Iowa State University from 1970 to 1974 where she earned both her master’s degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DMV). During her tenure in college, Mary earned multiple other grants and scholarships, a testament to her dedication to academics and her career field. She also became an instructor at Iowa State University from 1974 to 1977. Mary became a dedicated veterinarian in a field that back then, was largely male dominated.

She eventually opened her own vet clinic, Sheltering Arms Veterinarian Clinic, from 1980 to 1986. where she became known as a very compassionate and caring vet, teaching pet owners to be loving, how to care for their sick pets, and do what she could to prolong the life of family pets. Mary would often take strays into her clinic and provide free vet care. She was often frustrated with pet owners who would not spay or neuter their animals to prevent overpopulation.

Mary was honored in the Who’s Who of 1986 for her work. She was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. Mary gave back as a volunteer in many ways. She became an advisor to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, many times paying for medicine and working long hours as a volunteer.

She was the first vet to go on television with KCCI’s Dolph Pulliam to encourage pet adoption. She also enjoyed lecturing in elementary schools about health topics related to pets. Mary wrote numerous articles in various periodicals between 1972 and 1980, all of which were published. Some of the topics she researched and wrote about were on parasites and other diseases that affected animal health. Mary passed away in February of 1986 but her dedication to her field will be long remembered.

Lynette was born in Alaska and made her way to Des Moines via Austin, Texas, and Sacramento, California, as her father held various USDA positions. The family eventually settled just north of Cornell Elementary, and Lynette became a 1983 Saydel graduate. Her mother also taught in the Saydel district for numerous years. Lynette received her undergraduate degree from Augustana, attended the University of Iowa College of Law from 1988 to 1989, and earned her JD from Drake University on 1991.

Lynette joined the Rasmussen Group in 1993, following two years working as an attorney for a local firm. Currently as Chief Culture and Community Officer, as well as serving as General Counsel for the Rasmussen Group, she plays a key role in fostering company culture and strengthening community engagement. Lynette is an active leader in numerous industry and community organizations and has been recognized with multiple honors for her contributions and service. Lynette has served on the Augustana College Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Danish American Heritage Society.

Lynette is the Honorary Consul for Denmark for the State of Iowa having been appointed that designation from Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark on March 1, 2010. Lynette also served for six years on the Board of Directors for Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Lynette is also a member of the Rotary Club in Des Moines and of Lutheran Memorial Church. She was named a Woman of Influence in Iowa in 2014. Lynette and Kurt reside in Johnston, and have three children, Sanna, Karl, and Maren.

Kurt is another Saydel Alum that grew up in the Saylorville area and is a 1983 Graduate. Kurt married Lynette Skow, our next recipient and another 1983 Saydel graduate, after high school. Each of them has experienced stellar business careers, while raising their three children and enjoying international travel throughout their careers. Kurt Rasmussen is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Culture and Community Officer of the Rasmussen Group, an 114+ year family business founded by his great-grandfather, T.

C. Jensen, in 1912. Growing up in the Des Moines area, Kurt worked in the family business from a young age, gaining firsthand experience across various roles. After graduating from Grand View College in 1988, he began his full-time career within the Rasmussen Group companies. In 2003, Kurt became President of the Rasmussen Group, leading the organization for over 16 years before being elected Chairman of the Board in 2019.

His leadership has played a vital role in the company's continued growth and success. As Chief Culture and Community Officer, he is dedicated to fostering a strong company culture and deepening community engagement. Kurt was also inducted into the Associated General Contractors of Iowa Hall of Fame. Beyond his work at the Rasmussen Group, Kurt has served on numerous boards and nonprofit organizations, including Anawim Housing, YMCA Camp, Museum of Danish America, Grand View University, and Luther Memorial Church.

He is a past Chairman of the Board for Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and a past President of the Associated General Contractors of Iowa. He and Lynette have made generous donations to Grand View College and other nonprofit organizations throughout their careers. Kurt and Lynette have been pillars of the community for many years and are exemplary role models for all Saydel graduates.

Pat grew up in the Saylorville area of the Saydel school district, one of seven children. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball during his high school years. Following graduation from High School, he enlisted in the Army, serving three years while stationed in Hawaii. Following his military service, Pat returned to Iowa and earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Simpson College, where he also played football.

He later pursued his master’s from Drake University in Public Administration. After a decade of learning the warehousing and distribution business from the ground up, Pat founded PDM in 1996, initially as a small trucking company in Des Moines, and since that time, the PDM has evolved into a diverse operation consisting of packaging, warehousing, transportation and product distribution. In 1997, PDM ventured into the warehousing market by purchasing its first building in Boone, Iowa.

In 1999, PDM acquired a food grade packaging company. Over time this segment of the business grew to packaging millions of pounds of oil annually, and now currently packages soybean, canola, olive, and sunflower oils. Since entering the packaging market, PDM has expanded into industrial and animal feed packaging. Today PDM offers a private label program and packages several national product lines. It also manufactures and distributes products that include ReadySet Tote and Custom Corrugated Material.

Giving back has always been a big part of who Pat is—from helping family members and friends through the years financially, to his primary focus with Trailhead International. Trailhead builds churches in third world countries connecting people with Christian values and beliefs. He is a current board member and has traveled extensively, exploring new church sites and supporting youth athletic programs. Each church is given extensive community and financial support through this organization.

Locally, Pat has been actively involved with Dallas County Clothes Closet, now a part of Way Point Umbrella, which provides a food pantry, free clothing, and health care for individuals throughout Dallas County. Pat continues to support the Clive Community and Joppa--a Des Moines--based non-profit whose goal is to begin to build homes for the homeless Iowans in Central Iowa. Pat currently resides in Waukee and has three children--sons Ben and Matthew, and daughter Megan.

Nick grew up in the Norwoodville area of the Saydel school district, one of four children. In high school, Nick participated in numerous sports and school organizations and was a standout student academically. Following graduation from High School, Nick attended Iowa State University for his undergraduate degree, and the University of Iowa for his Law Degree. Nick began his career with the Davis Law firm, and eventually became a senior partner.

His primary focus has been on business organizations and transactions including real estate syndications, commercial financing, and tax planning. Nick’s experience grew to include representing clients in public, private, non-profit and governmental clients in various industries including subsidized and conventional housing, commercial real estate, construction, and financial services. After leaving the Davis firm, Nick became Vice President, and then President, of BH Management Services LLC and BH Equities LLC. In 2020, Nick joined the Drake Law School as the Director and Clinical Professor of Law.

He also continued for the Dentons, Davis, and Brown Law firm as Special Counsel. Nick is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Polk County Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Nick’s Community Involvement has included being a Board Member and Treasurer for Hawthorn Hill which provides emergency family shelter, and Bidwell Riverside Center which is a local food pantry and child development center. He also is a past board member of Generations, the Polk County Meals on Wheels program.

Nick has also served as counsel for various charitable organizations and non-profits over the years. The Saydel Alumni Association would like to extend a special thanks to Nick for his help in establishing our organization as a non-profit, and researching other issues for us, all Pro Bono. Nick has also done other work for the District, which is very much appreciated. Nick has a large blended family, and continues to reside in the Des Moines area with his wife Deb.

Many of us here tonight have likely had some contact with this educator over the years, Chuck Knight. Chuck graduated from UNI in 1967 with a degree in Business Education, and his first teaching job was at Saydel. He later attended Northwest Missouri State during the summers in the early 1970’s to get his master’s in administration. His career at Saydel began in 1967-1968 academic year. He taught Distributive Education in the mornings and placed students on the job and then supervised them at their job site in the afternoon.

Chuck was also the Assistant Wrestling Coach until he was named Assistant Principal in 1973. He stayed with the Saydel Schools until 1978 and became a fixture for those who were attending school at that time. When Chuck was at Saydel from 1967 to 1978, his wife, Bev worked as an Associate at Woodside and Norwoodville. Brad and Bev had two sons, Brad and Kipp, who both started school in the Saydel district, and attended Cornell through 5th grade. Finding babysitters for Brad was always easy, with both students and parents helping to watch him when needed.

There was also always great cooperation between staff members at Saydel. Some of Chucks best memories were working with John Mills, Brad Stolz, and Jon Moeller—their son Brad called them his “Uncles”. Jim Gebhart was not only a best friend, but a neighbor. A couple of tragedies that occurred during his tenure were the fire in the Saydel gym, and a student struck by lightning in front of the building. But there are also the fun memories—like when Larry Dean hung pelts all over Mrs.

Hann’s home economics classroom—she was not amused. Chuck took a position with the North Polk Schools in 1978 and was eventually named the Junior/Senior High School Principal. He was with North Polk for 14 years. In 1991, Chuck and Bev moved to New Sharon, and he became the Superintendent of Schools. He held that position for 11 years and then tried to retire in 2002. Fortunately for Saydel, that retirement only lasted about two weeks. The Saydel Board called Chuck and asked him to do a one-year interim as Superintendent.

That one-year period turned into 4 years, serving in that role from 2002-2003 school year to 2005-2006. When Chuck was asked to fill in, five of the seven board members were former students! Chuck and Bev say Saydel is “home” for them. Saydel kids are their kids—kids, parents, and staff became friends and more like family. Chuck and Bev now enjoy 4 grandchildren, along with their sons. They continue to attend Saydel functions and are regulars at many Class Reunions and other events.

Bill graduated from Woodside School (the precursor to Saydel High Schools) in 1948, where he had many Athletic achievements. Following graduation, Bill and his wife Vel, built their home in the Saydel District in 1964, and Bill lived in that home until he passed away recently. Bill was 95 years old when he passed away on April 2nd (after being nominated by his daughter, Sheri, for this award). Fittingly, Bill chose to be buried at Pine Hill Cemetery, along with his wife, within the Saydel School District.

Bill clearly loved and embraced the Saydel School District. Bill started out as a plumber and then ran a family-owned business (Goode's/Miklus) selling produce in the Des Moines area. He and his wife owned and operated the Country Market for 25 years. Bill's business was consistently donating to Saydel Little League teams, and other organizations associated with Saydel Schools that were looking for donations. He was very generous in supporting Saydel in any way he could.

He was actively involved with Little League and raised his three children—Randy, Sheri, and Gary in the district. Bill served on the Saydel School Board for 11 years, and held the title of President for two of those years. He volunteered for the Saylorville Township Fire Department for approximately 10 years. He was very active in his church, Highland Park Christian Church for many years. Bill served as a Deacon, Trustee, and on the Kitchen Committee.

He and his wife Vel also volunteered at the church helping with painting and other repairs that were needed. Bill was a lifetime member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #33. He was a charter member of the Za Ga Zing Shrine Bag Pipe Band for many years. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Croatian Fraternal Slavic Center, and VFW #9662. Bill will be deeply missed by those that knew and loved him.