John Ackerman

John H. Ackerman, 92, of Hiawatha, Iowa, formerly of Santa Rosa, California, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, at the Hiawatha Care Center. In honor of his wishes, a private family celebration will take place in July. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. John was born on June 23, 1924, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John J. and Emma (Averhoff) Ackerman. He graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1946, after returning from World War II as he was drafted into the US Army in 1943. John served with the 5th Portable Surgical Hospital in major Pacific invasions into New Guinea, East Indies, Philippines Leyte and Luzon, Okinawa, and ultimately Japan. He was a Medical Technician, Company Clerk, and Chief Clerk in the administrative section supervising 33 men who maintained soldier's records, affairs, and correspondence. After finishing high school, he took accounting classes at the University of Northern Iowa before later graduating with an accounting degree from UCLA. He retired as a Certified Public Accountant and Office Manager with Hood & Strong LLP in San Francisco. John lived a full and exciting life. After growing up in Iowa and spending a few years in Chicago, he found his home in California, namely Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa. He is the last of his San Francisco era friends to pass away. John moved back to Iowa in 2012, after health concerns prompted him to be closer to his family. He enjoyed fine dining, nice cars, especially Audi and Cadillac, flower gardening and volunteering in his community and church. John was a faithful member of First Church of Christ Scientist, where he served on the Sunday Counting Committee. He loved finding a good deal when shopping and had an eye for simple, pretty things as long as they were not too expensive! John was also an arts and culture aficionado. He created beautiful oil painting and caulk art and his numerous travels found him in England, Italy and France, while frequently vacationing in Hawaii. John will be remembered and loved for his honesty and idiosyncrasies. He was the 'cool California uncle' to his nieces and nephews. His personal character and good nature was enduring and while he enjoyed company, he was also a personal man who enjoyed quietly walking in his garden and the trails in the park. His surviving family includes a sister, Louise (James) Bachman of Hazelton, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Richard) Ackerman of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Lois (Victor) Ackerman of Dysart, Iowa; and nieces and nephews, Patty, John, Mike, Diane, Robert, Linda, Rick, Susan, Randy, Gary, Victor, Ralph, Stan, Joyce, and Gary. John was preceded in death by his dear friend, companion and partner, Everett Bell; his parents; brothers, Richard, Donald, Victor, and Martin; sisters, Helen and Lucille; nephews, Bruce and David; and niece, Johnette.