Henry L. Suverkrup |
| Posted 2018-10-12 by Pat R |
| Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, September 19, 2018, p. A-5 Henry Suverkrup July 6, 1926 - Aug. 26, 2018 A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. Henry was born July 6, 1926, to Henry and Rose Suverkrup in Dubuque, Iowa. He attended Audubon Elementary, Jefferson Jr. High, Dubuque Senior and graduated from the University of Dubuque with a bachelor's degree in administration. He received his master's in administration at NAU, plus 33 post-graduate doctoral hours at ASU. He served in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga during WWII and completed OCS for the US Marines. He married Frieda in 1953 and they moved to Yuma, where he became the superintendent of schools for the Crane School District from 1956-1980. Hank committed his life to education, the community, service organizations and his career as superintendent of schools. If he had a hobby it was reading books (always highlighting) that furthered his knowledge of new educational trends or wisdom in educating our youths and adults, management techniques and his faith in God. He was, as they say, a self-made man. Nothing was handed to him. He worked tirelessly to build Crane School District from its original one school up to three schools. He received the honor of one of the schools being named the HL Suverkrup School. He then became the director of operations, Phoenix, for the Greater Phoenix Curriculum and Instructional Developmental Services Operation consisting of 13 elementary school districts and Phoenix Union High School District. He was elected Superintendent of Schools, County of Yuma, from 1982-1985. Hank and Frieda left their home of 27 years in Yuma to accept the position of superintendent of schools in Wickenburg from 1985 to 1990. After retirement he did certified coaching for the Wallace Foundation/Arizona Department of Education, supervised administrative interns for NAU and was a licensed Methodist minister, taught graduate classes in management, MBA, and public policy for Webster University, University of Dubuque and Northern Arizona University. Henry was highly respected as a professor and facilitator for his method of open discussion; encouraging students to engage and learn from each other, finding common ground and respect even though they had diverse opinions. Even up until the age of 92, he held a bible study twice a week. Some of his other leadership positions are as follows: domestic violence and addiction certification, two terms on the Wickenburg school district governing board, Arizona State Personnel Commission, Reality Therapy-Certified Counselor trainer, listed in Who's Who Among Educational Administrators, Inducted into the Yuma County Educators Hall of Fame and appointed board member and president of the Wellik Foundation. He was also president of Wickenburg Rotary Club, Arizona School Superintendents, Arizona County School Superintendents, Yuma Fine Arts Association, Yuma Christian Business Men's Committee and board of directors of the Yuma Chamber of Commerce. His family was also proud of him for riding his bicycle across his home state of Iowa, twice, as part of Ragbrai; the 479 mile race across Iowa. His number one thing in life was being a public servant and he wouldn't have been able to accomplish that without the support of his wife, Frieda. He was also a faithful husband and father and fine example of leadership and community involvement. Henry is survived by his children Troy Suverkrup and Kim (Max) Wennet; his two grandsons Troy Wennet and Tyler (Alexa) Wennet; niece Cheryl (Bob) Esmail and daughter Emily; brother-in-law Robert (Mabel) Witte, their children and grandchildren; brother-in-law Walt (Edna) Hedricks and son; sister-in-law Charlotte Vanderbilt and her children and grandchildren. Henry passed away at home in Cottonwood, at age 92 among family and four days before Frieda and Hank's 65 wedding anniversary. He is preceded in death by his wife Frieda Suverkrup; his sister Betty Morgan and her husband Ken; his parents Rose and Henry Suverkrup; his sister-in-law Edna Hedrick, brother-in-law Russ Vanderbilt and nephew Michael Vanderbilt. Services will be held in Dubuque, Iowa, at Saint John's Lutheran Church where Henry was baptized, confirmed and attended during summer visits to see family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hank Suverkrup Scholarship Fund, 6792 E. Telegraph Street, Yuma, AZ 85365. Condolences may be sent in care of Greer's Mortuary of Sedona, 2725 W. SR 89 A, Sedona, AZ 86336 See Also: Find A Grave |
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