Kermit Tannatt

Kermit Tannatt passed away on September 9, 2011, after a brief struggle with cancer. Kermit lived his entire life in Iowa, and was born in Greenfield, Iowa, on April 18, 1921. Kermit served as the first director of Athletics and Physical Education for the Southeast Polk Community School District (K-12) beginning in 1963. Kermit worked with the architects in the planning of the athletics and physical education facilities at SEP and was instrumental in hosting the first Iowa High School Girls State Track and Field Meet at SEP. Kermit retired in 1986.

Kermit graduated from Greenfield High School, and received a B.S. degree from Simpson College and M.S. degree from Drake University. He also completed additional hours in Administration at Drake University and Iowa State University.

World War II brought an interruption to Kermit’s college education in 1942, as he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served his country for four years as a front nose gunner. Kermit was stationed in England serving on the crew of a B-24 liberator, and flew on fifty bombing missions over Germany, parachuting once and landing in Belgium when his plane was shot down.

In the years prior to moving to Southeast Polk Kermit was athletic director, coach, and teacher at high schools in Gladbrook, Manning, and Charles City, Iowa.

In 1973 Kermit was elected to the Simpson College Hall of Fame. He received many Athletic Director of the Year awards from esteemed organizations. He supervised recreational therapy classes for handicapped people, recreational learn to swim programs, and summer swim programs. In 1978 Kermit was named Iowa Athletic Director of the Year, Regional finalist and National 2nd place Athletic Director.

Kermit was a charter member of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, serving as president in 1972. Kermit was also a member of the National Association of Athletic Directors, the American Association of Physical Education, Recreation and Health, Governor’s State Youth Council, City Athletic Directors Organization, Scottish Masons, co-athletic director of the Shrine Bowl and a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Kermit is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jean Tannatt; his daughter, Sharman (Richard) Kahn of Columbia, MD; grandson, Doug Kahn of Columbia, MD; brother-in-law, Boyd Van Horn; many nieces and nephews, and other loving relatives and many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Tannatt; brothers, Ken Tannatt, Keith Tannatt, and Gaylord Tannatt; and his parents, Eugene and Hazel Tannatt.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. A memorial service, celebrating Kermit’s life, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, at First Presbyterian Church, 3100 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Kerm Tannatt Memorial Fund c/o Southeast Polk Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 166, Altoona, Iowa 50009, or to First Presbyterian Church, 3100 Easton Blvd, Des Moines 50317.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print