Dr. Earl Bridgewater
June 11, 2022
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Service Details
Dr. Earl Bridgewater, 92 of Des Moines, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 11th, 2022.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, June 15th, at 11:00 a.m. at Wakonda Christian Church, 3938 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Ia. The family will greet friends on Tuesday, June 14th from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the church. Earl will be laid to rest with military honors at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at a later date.
Earl is survived by his loving wife, Ann. In 1955, Earl and Ann McNeill were married. On June 5th, 2022, they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. They had three children: David (Cindy) of Norwalk, Gary (Diane) of Johnston, Lisa (Curt) of Urbandale, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Earl is also survived by a brother, Eldon (Mary) of Blairstown, IA and a sister-in-law, Macy of Des Moines, IA, and brother-in-law LaVerne Lowrance of Maryville, MO. Earl was preceded in death by his, parents, older brother Ralph and younger sister Margaret.
Earl was born in Hopkins, Missouri on May 1, 1930, the son of Ivan & Verda Bridgewater. He grew up on the family farm and received both elementary and secondary education there.
Following his high school graduation, he enrolled in Northwest Missouri State and earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Science in 1955. Subsequently, he earned his Master’s in Educational Administration at Colorado State University in Greeley, Colorado, in 1957 and later his PhD at Iowa State University in Educational Administration.
Earl served in the military during the Korean War from 1952 – 1954.
Dr Earl has been a professional educator for 56 plus years. They included 5-1/2 years in Eagleville and Albany, Missouri, and 37 years in Des Moines beginning as a History and Economics Teacher at North High School and ending as Associate Superintendent in 1995. Other positions in Des Moines were Vice Principal at Washington Irving, Kurtz & Lincoln; Principal at Washington Irving, Brody & East High; and Personnel Director for the Des Moines Schools. From 1996 – 2012 Earl served as a teacher and Administrator for the Iowa Viterbo University Master’s Program, La Crosse, WI. Additionally, he conducted numerous consultant studies for various school districts. For the past 25 years he has served as a member of the Heartland Area Education Board as well as serving as a board member for the Iowa Area Education Agencies for 15 years.
The blueprint for Earl’s life included Faith, Family, Friends, and Education. He will be remembered for his generous heart and playful sense of humor. Also, his love of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats. He will be deeply missed by his family.
Memorials may be directed to Wakonda Christian Church.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Norene Bunt
06/25/2022
Earl's family has my sincere sympathy! I enjoyed working with Earl during my five years at Viterbo University's West Des Moines Campus. Earl was wise, kind, and positive. He was truly the model of a dedicated, life-long professional educator. He will be missed by many!
Lou Howell
06/21/2022
He was definitely THE best! I will always treasure the fun and impact he added to my life.
He loved his wife and family so much!
Ray Baker
06/18/2022
Gary Bridgewater and family.I was very sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Viterbo University Iowa Center
06/15/2022
In loving memory from prior, current and future staff of Viterbo University Iowa Center.
Dedicated to serving Iowa's PK-12 educators in the manner which our founder Dr. Bridgewater would have us do. Miss you!
God Bless!
Sally Jo Fisher
06/15/2022
Dear Ann,
It was an honor and pleasure to have had Earl as Vice Principal during my teaching career at Lincoln. I admired his joyous manner as a friend and administrator! My heart is with you and your family today and in the weeks to come. Take care!
milbra green davis
06/15/2022
To the family, my sincere prayers and condolence, Mr Bridgewater was the man to talk to during my years at East, a very kind soul. May he RIH.
Jerry and Marilynn Wadden
06/14/2022
Dr. Bridgewater was one of the most welcoming, encouraging, motivating, and understanding people in our lives. And one of the wisest. He was everyone's friend and always so kind. He will be missed by us and hundreds of others. Rest in peace.
Christine Valenti
06/14/2022
Ann and family;
I was so sad to hear of Earls passing. To be a fellow servant-leader with Earl for so many years has left many wonderful memories for me. I remember all of the time, effort, compassion he put in to every graduate candidate he served at Viterbo. His calming presence and the sharing of many years of educational knowledge at Viterbo meetings had a great affect on everyone. He will be remembered and missed by many people. What a legacy he has left.
My sympathies to all of you-the loved ones in his life.
Connie Capehart
06/14/2022
My condolences to the Bridgewater family. Mr Bridgewater was the principal at Des Moines East High School when I was there and I graduated in 1972. He was a friendly man. I worked in the registrars office
And he always came in and said good morning to us. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Larry & Betty Martindale
06/14/2022
Dear Ann, David, Gary, Lisa, Eldon, and family:
Betty and I are so saddened to hear of the passing of our good friend Earl Bridgewater. Earl was our social studies and Econ teacher at North High school and was admired greatly by fellow students. He always took the time to listen to students and showed that he sincerely cared for us individually. When we became educators within the DMPS, Earl was always supportive and encouraging to us and talked about his days as a young teacher with us at NHS. I dont think either of us ever attended a reunion of our class in which Earl wasnt there supporting and catching up with his former students and their families. Earls contribution to the DMPS, Heartland Area Education Agency, Viterbo University, and his role in recruiting and advising administrators and superintendents for schools districts is legendary. To say that Earl will be missed by so many students, colleagues, friends and family would be an understatement. There is no one we know that was more proud and caring of his family and his 11 grandchildren than Earl and Ann. Our thoughts and prayers will be with each of you in the days that lie ahead.
Jim & Judi VerHoef
06/14/2022
We both loved Mr. Bridgewater. Judi Jones was Judi's maiden name. I was in a tough spot in my life and he said, "Jim you will be okay you are alright." He always encouraged both of us. He came to our class of 1960 reunions and we always made sure we saw each other. God you got yourself a wonderful man. Thank you for allowing Earl Bridgewater to be in our lives. To the family: May God provide you with memories of a life wonderfully lived. In Jesus name Amen
Raymond Tillmon Porterfield
06/14/2022
Served on committee with Earl to select scholarship recipient of Luke Skelton Scholarship.My daughter married Kimbal Mothershead. Condolences from the Mothersheads. RIP-
Deb McMahon
06/14/2022
One of my favorite memories was during negotiations. I was a member of DMEA and was representing the teachers. He was on the administrative side. The moment was especially tense. And Earl had a bag of M&Ms. He tried to open them quietly but was having difficulty. All of a sudden he pulled the bag open and the M&Ms scattered all over our table! It diffused the tension for the moment.
Mark Long and Family
06/14/2022
We were so sad to hear of Earl's passing. He was a wonderful educator and a he and Ann, dear friends to our family. My dad, Sam, valued Earl as a colleague and a friend. Our most sincere condolences to Ann and family from Mark, Beth, Doug, Tammy and Doris.
JAMES SANDIN
06/14/2022
An incomparable man of impeccable integrity whom I was proud to know as my principal at EHS, and with whom I had the privilege of meeting in his office while a student there. God, bless Ann and the entire Bridgewater family. Amen.