Ivan Springstead, age 100, Cambridge, WI, passed away peacefully Feb 9, 2021 surrounded by family. He was born to parents Ivan and Ora (Sloat) Springtstead, Dec 20, 1920 in Port Huron, MI. The oldest of 6 children with a strong work ethic, he often held odd jobs to help the family make ends meet. He graduated from Port Huron High School and was later the first college graduate in his family, receiving a degree from George Williams College, Chicago, IL.
Ivan enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and completed flight training school in Ames, IA. His top 10% class rank qualified him for lighter than air school in Lakehurst, NJ where he received his commission to pilot blimps. Stationed at Moffett Field, CA he flew airships over the Pacific with convoy duty, patrolling and air & sea rescue, gaining special Presidential commendation for rescuing downed pilots. He retired as a Lieutenant.
At a college dance on a spring afternoon in 1941, he met the love of life, Elizabeth Ruth Pyatt. They married Nov 4, 1943 in Detroit, MI and left immediately for his Naval assignment in California. For 77 years, they danced, raised 2 sons, lived all over the US and took long Sunday-after-church-drives that maddened their children.
Ivan’s career was with the YMCA. Through the Y he & Betty led trips to Europe, Mexico, train trips across the US and directed summer Y camps. He served as Y Director in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Beloit, Washington, DC and as International Director. He retired as Director of the Silver Springs, MD Y in 1986. His passion for the Y was only equal to his passion for building. Ivan & Betty built 7 homes and he oversaw the fundraising and building of 2 YMCA’s - the DC Capitol Y and Beloit Y. The Beloit Y with its olympic sized pool was the first family YMCA in Wisconsin allowing women.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Betty; son David (Tina), Cambridge, WI; son John (Jeri), Mazomanie,WI; 7 grandchildren, Kerry (Greg) Pope; Kristine (Randy) Hilgart; Brian (Shilo) Springstead; Kevin (Chelsie) Springstead; Theran (Erin) Springstead; Nathan (Trisha) Springstead; and Karsten (Lizzy) Springstead; plus 15 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters Joyce Scott (Tyler, TX); Sue Brown (Rochester, MI); and Sharon (Ray) Phillips (Jackson, MI).
He was preceded in death by an infant twin brother at birth, Alvin; brother Orville (over Germany 1944), sister Mary Boughner (1972); parents Ivan & Ora and brothers-in-law, Harley Boughner, Orville Brown and Mike Scott.
Ivan enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and completed flight training school in Ames, IA. His top 10% class rank qualified him for lighter than air school in Lakehurst, NJ where he received his commission to pilot blimps. Stationed at Moffett Field, CA he flew airships over the Pacific with convoy duty, patrolling and air & sea rescue, gaining special Presidential commendation for rescuing downed pilots. He retired as a Lieutenant.
At a college dance on a spring afternoon in 1941, he met the love of life, Elizabeth Ruth Pyatt. They married Nov 4, 1943 in Detroit, MI and left immediately for his Naval assignment in California. For 77 years, they danced, raised 2 sons, lived all over the US and took long Sunday-after-church-drives that maddened their children.
Ivan’s career was with the YMCA. Through the Y he & Betty led trips to Europe, Mexico, train trips across the US and directed summer Y camps. He served as Y Director in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Beloit, Washington, DC and as International Director. He retired as Director of the Silver Springs, MD Y in 1986. His passion for the Y was only equal to his passion for building. Ivan & Betty built 7 homes and he oversaw the fundraising and building of 2 YMCA’s - the DC Capitol Y and Beloit Y. The Beloit Y with its olympic sized pool was the first family YMCA in Wisconsin allowing women.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Betty; son David (Tina), Cambridge, WI; son John (Jeri), Mazomanie,WI; 7 grandchildren, Kerry (Greg) Pope; Kristine (Randy) Hilgart; Brian (Shilo) Springstead; Kevin (Chelsie) Springstead; Theran (Erin) Springstead; Nathan (Trisha) Springstead; and Karsten (Lizzy) Springstead; plus 15 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters Joyce Scott (Tyler, TX); Sue Brown (Rochester, MI); and Sharon (Ray) Phillips (Jackson, MI).
He was preceded in death by an infant twin brother at birth, Alvin; brother Orville (over Germany 1944), sister Mary Boughner (1972); parents Ivan & Ora and brothers-in-law, Harley Boughner, Orville Brown and Mike Scott.
Ivan Springstead, age 100, Cambridge, WI, passed away peacefully Feb 9, 2021 surrounded by family. He was born to parents Ivan and Ora (Sloat) Springtstead, Dec 20, 1920 in Port Huron, MI. The oldest of 6 children with a strong work ethic, he often held odd jobs to help the family make ends meet. He graduated from Port Huron High School and was later the first college graduate in his family, receiving a degree from George Williams College, Chicago, IL.
Ivan enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and completed flight training school in Ames, IA. His top 10% class rank qualified him for lighter than air school in Lakehurst, NJ where he received his commission to pilot blimps. Stationed at Moffett Field, CA he flew airships over the Pacific with convoy duty, patrolling and air & sea rescue, gaining special Presidential commendation for rescuing downed pilots. He retired as a Lieutenant.
At a college dance on a spring afternoon in 1941, he met the love of life, Elizabeth Ruth Pyatt. They married Nov 4, 1943 in Detroit, MI and left immediately for his Naval assignment in California. For 77 years, they danced, raised 2 sons, lived all over the US and took long Sunday-after-church-drives that maddened their children.
Ivan’s career was with the YMCA. Through the Y he & Betty led trips to Europe, Mexico, train trips across the US and directed summer Y camps. He served as Y Director in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Beloit, Washington, DC and as International Director. He retired as Director of the Silver Springs, MD Y in 1986. His passion for the Y was only equal to his passion for building. Ivan & Betty built 7 homes and he oversaw the fundraising and building of 2 YMCA’s - the DC Capitol Y and Beloit Y. The Beloit Y with its olympic sized pool was the first family YMCA in Wisconsin allowing women.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Betty; son David (Tina), Cambridge, WI; son John (Jeri), Mazomanie,WI; 7 grandchildren, Kerry (Greg) Pope; Kristine (Randy) Hilgart; Brian (Shilo) Springstead; Kevin (Chelsie) Springstead; Theran (Erin) Springstead; Nathan (Trisha) Springstead; and Karsten (Lizzy) Springstead; plus 15 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters Joyce Scott (Tyler, TX); Sue Brown (Rochester, MI); and Sharon (Ray) Phillips (Jackson, MI).
He was preceded in death by an infant twin brother at birth, Alvin; brother Orville (over Germany 1944), sister Mary Boughner (1972); parents Ivan & Ora and brothers-in-law, Harley Boughner, Orville Brown and Mike Scott.
Ivan enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and completed flight training school in Ames, IA. His top 10% class rank qualified him for lighter than air school in Lakehurst, NJ where he received his commission to pilot blimps. Stationed at Moffett Field, CA he flew airships over the Pacific with convoy duty, patrolling and air & sea rescue, gaining special Presidential commendation for rescuing downed pilots. He retired as a Lieutenant.
At a college dance on a spring afternoon in 1941, he met the love of life, Elizabeth Ruth Pyatt. They married Nov 4, 1943 in Detroit, MI and left immediately for his Naval assignment in California. For 77 years, they danced, raised 2 sons, lived all over the US and took long Sunday-after-church-drives that maddened their children.
Ivan’s career was with the YMCA. Through the Y he & Betty led trips to Europe, Mexico, train trips across the US and directed summer Y camps. He served as Y Director in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Beloit, Washington, DC and as International Director. He retired as Director of the Silver Springs, MD Y in 1986. His passion for the Y was only equal to his passion for building. Ivan & Betty built 7 homes and he oversaw the fundraising and building of 2 YMCA’s - the DC Capitol Y and Beloit Y. The Beloit Y with its olympic sized pool was the first family YMCA in Wisconsin allowing women.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Betty; son David (Tina), Cambridge, WI; son John (Jeri), Mazomanie,WI; 7 grandchildren, Kerry (Greg) Pope; Kristine (Randy) Hilgart; Brian (Shilo) Springstead; Kevin (Chelsie) Springstead; Theran (Erin) Springstead; Nathan (Trisha) Springstead; and Karsten (Lizzy) Springstead; plus 15 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters Joyce Scott (Tyler, TX); Sue Brown (Rochester, MI); and Sharon (Ray) Phillips (Jackson, MI).
He was preceded in death by an infant twin brother at birth, Alvin; brother Orville (over Germany 1944), sister Mary Boughner (1972); parents Ivan & Ora and brothers-in-law, Harley Boughner, Orville Brown and Mike Scott.
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