Center on Aging

In Memorial

Sam Becker: UI LEAP Advisory Board President, Member, and Friend

Sam Becker has been called Mr. University of Iowa. In his obituary, The Iowa City Press Citizen cited that this nickname came from his decades-long commitment to the university; Sam was a teacher, scholar, and philanthropist. He earned three degrees from UI in the 1940s and ‘50s and was a professor, chairman of the communication studies department and UI interim provost.

UI LEAP knew him as their president, past president, board member, and friend. For UI LEAP, we would add commitment to his nickname.

Counting the ways in which Sam committed to our program are too numerous to describe. Perhaps the best example was his presence at our September 2012 advisory board meeting. After the meeting, members had the opportunity to converse with Sam. He was saddened that he had not been able to help out more with our program in the past few weeks. That was Sam, always committed, always willing to help out. We will miss his quick wit, wisdom, humble, and soft-spoken manner. Sam passed away November 2012.

George Wine: UI LEAP Advisory Board member and friend   

There has been much written about George Wine from the field of sports.  He was only the second Sports Information Director in the history of Hawkeye football. George was with the Hawkeyes during a period of great growth and success for the university and the athletics department.  He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors Hall of Fame in 1985. 

George was also a devoted UI LEAP Advisory Board member till his passing in 2012.  We want to acknowledge his support and, of course, humor during his tenure with us.