Charles H. McDonald

Charles H. McDonald, 83, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2022. Chuck was born on September 12, 1938 in Evanston, Illinois to Grant and Anita McDonald. He lived in Crystal Lake, Illinois during his entire boyhood and graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School in 1956. From there he attended Drake University where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega.

Chuck started dating his future wife Louise Proctor while still in high school. After dating for five years, they married on August 13, 1960 and shared 62 years of happy marriage. They had two children – Steve and Cindy.

Chuck graduated from Drake and went on to obtain an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. He then entered the US Air Force and was stationed in Amarillo, Texas for three years and at Randolph AFB in San Antonio for a year. Chuck continued his affiliation with the Air National Guard where he served for 27 years and retired as a Colonel.

Chuck returned to Des Moines in 1965 and took a job with Meredith Corporation. In 1973 he went to work for Allied Group (now Nationwide Insurance) where he served for 27 years as Vice President of Human Resources.

During his working years he served as president of two professional human resources organizations, president of the Board of Employee and Family Resources, as well as having a leadership role in various other organizations.

Chuck was always an aviation enthusiast, and at the age of 50, he became a private pilot. He then bought an airplane – a Cessna 172 – which he had for 20 years. He served in US Civil Air Patrol from 1991 to 2006 as Squadron Commander, Wing Vice Commander, and mission pilot. He was a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and EAA.

After retiring in 1999, Chuck became very active in the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group where he served until his death as executive director. He was very proud to have organized an air show (Fly Iowa) for 21 years in a different town in Iowa, including this year on August 6 in Iowa Falls. He also provided youth aerospace education seminars to over 4,000 Iowa youngsters. This year IAPG created a scholarship for a young person to take flying lessons which has been named the Chuck McDonald Aviation Training Scholarship.

Chuck was a member of the Air Force Association, Quiet Birdmen, Des Moines Golf & Country Club, and West Des Moines United Methodist Church. He also served as a US Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison Officer. He enjoyed a vodka martini, a good steak, root beer floats, and time spent with his adored wife and family.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Louise; his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Sally McDonald of Mason, OH; and his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Jeff Geier of Chicago; his brother, Phil McDonald of Colorado Springs, CO; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Michael and Charlie McDonald and Alex and David Geier.

Chuck’s legacy would be the time and effort he put into the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group. He was active until about a week before he passed away. He was dedicated to his family, expressed gratitude for his many blessings and had a zest for life. He truly lived until he died!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines, West Des Moines United Methodist Church, or to IAPG Aviation Training Scholarship Fund.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation on Friday, September 9, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m. and the funeral services on Saturday, September 10 at 12:00 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

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