1920 - 2021
CAMBRIDGE - Ivan Springstead, aged 100, Cambridge, Wis.passed away peacefully Feb. 9, 2021, surrounded by family. He was bornto parents Ivan and Ora (Sloat) Springtstead, Dec. 20, 1920, in PortHuron, Mich. The oldest of six children, with a strong work ethic heoften held odd jobs to help the family make ends meet. He graduatedfrom Port Huron High School and was later the rst college graduate inhis family, receiving a degree from George Williams College, Chicago,Ill.
Ivan enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and completed ight trainingschool in Ames, Iowa. His top 10 percent class rank qualied him forlighter than air school in Lakehurst, N.J., where he received hiscommission to pilot blimps. Stationed at Moffett Field, Calif., he ewairships over the Pacic with convoy duty, patrolling and air & searescue, gaining special Presidential commendation for rescuing downedpilots. He retired as a Lieutenant.
Ivan started boxing at the neighborhood gym when he was in Jr. High.In high school he joined the golden gloves and won all but his rstmatch. A champion boxer in the Navy, he needed a nose operation towear a pilot's oxygen equipment and the doctor said "No more boxing,you'll nd your nose all over your face."
At a college dance on a spring afternoon in 1941, he met the love of life,Elizabeth Ruth Pyatt. They married Nov. 4, 1943, in Detroit, Mich., andleft immediately for his Naval assignment in California. For 77 years,they danced, raised two sons, lived all over the U.S., and took longSunday-after-church-drives that maddened their children.
Ivan's career was with the YMCA. Through the Y he & Betty led trips toEurope, Mexico, train trips across the U.S. and directed summer Ycamps. He served as Y Director in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee,Beloit, Washington, D.C., and as International Director. He retired asDirector of the Silver Springs, MD Y in 1986. His passion for the Y wasonly equal to his passion for building. Ivan & Betty built seven homes,and he oversaw the fundraising and building of 2 YMCA's- the D.C.Capitol Y and Beloit Y. The Beloit Y with its Olympic-sized pool was therst family YMCA in Wisconsin, allowing women.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Betty; son David (Tina),Cambridge, Wis; son John (Jeri), Mazomanie, Wis; seven grandchildren,Kerry (Greg) Pope, Kristine (Randy) Hilgart, Brian (Shilo) Springstead,Kevin (Chelsie) Springstead, Theran (Erin) Springstead, Nathan (Trisha)Springstead, and Karsten (Lizzy) Springstead; plus 15 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters, Joyce Scott (Tyler,
Texas), Sue Brown (Rochester, Mich), and Sharon (Ray) Phillips(Jackson, Mich.).
He was preceded in death by an infant twin brother at birth, Alvin;brother Orville (over Germany 1944), sister Mary Boughner (1972);parents Ivan & Ora and brothers-in-law, Harley Boughner, OrvilleBrown and Mike Scott.
A private service and burial will be held @ Willerup Methodist Churchand Cemetery, Cambridge, Wis. A celebration of life will be held at alater date. Memorials in Ivan's name may be mailed to the University ofWisconsin, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, US Bank Lock Box PO Box78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807 or online
www.supportuw.org
Published by Madison.com on Feb. 16, 2021.
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