Donald Rhoades Sr.
Army Air Corps
1942-1945 WWII
Donald “Dusty” Rhoades Sr. was a student attending Morningside College in Sioux City, IA at the time he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp to become a B-17 Bomber Pilot. Like many individuals of his generation he chose to serve his country and by doing so he left behind his first born child with his second child soon to arrive. Dusty sought his wife Shirley’s approval before he made the decision to enlist, which she agreed to support knowing the sacrifice and commitment she would need to make to support his decision until he returned to complete the education he had begun prior to enlistment. He returned home to Sioux City after completing his enlistment during which he flew multiple bombing missions from England to Germany with the great fortune of not being “shot-down” unlike many others in his squadron. Dusty was known to never turn-down a mission, but always gained the support of his crew before making the decision to accept a mission knowing that they would return home sooner to their families if they accepted all missions assigned.
Dusty completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. He was a teacher and coach in Bronson, Iowa before completing a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Iowa. He and family moved to Corning, Iowa where he served as the school’s Principal and Coach until he became the Veteran’s Certifying Official at the University of Iowa. Dusty eventually became Registrar at the University of Iowa during the 60’s and early 70’s when he accepted an offer from the University of Oregon to serve as their Registrar until eventually returning to Des Moines, Iowa to complete his tenure in Higher Education at Drake University. Upon retirement Dusty and Shirley (wife of 70 years) returned to Iowa City where he peacefully passed away in the community he always considered to be “home”.
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