AMES, Iowa — Dallas L. Kibbe, Ames, Iowa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at the Israel Family Hospice House, Ames. He was 80.
Dallas was born June 14, 1941, in St. Louis, Mo., to Horace L. and Marie Louise (Salling) Kibbe. He was raised on the family farm in Osage City, where he and his younger brother, Jan, learned to work the land, tend animals and drive tractors. He grew up without in-home electricity or running water until his high school years.
He met the love of his life, Rebecca Ann Peterson, in the sixth grade. They were married July 20, 1963. She died Oct. 5, 2005, in Cedar Rapids.
Dallas attended Kansas State University to study electrical engineering in the fall of 1959. In 1961, he voluntarily joined the U.S. Navy and served four years. During his military service, he led an intelligence gathering team in multiple overseas venues, escaped being captured, and helped to recommission the U.S.S. Chicago. He returned to college after his service, and completed his degree in 1968.
After graduating college, he and Rebecca moved to Cedar Rapids, where he would spend the next 33 years working for Collins Avionics, later Rockwell Collins. It was there that he excelled in flight test projects and leading large groups and divisions of the company. He was an accomplished pilot, holding commercial and instrument ratings. At Collins, he flew multiple large, four-engine jet aircraft, including one of the two Boeing 707s used to serve the role of Air Force One. He also led many international marketing programs and traveled the world many times over doing so. While there, he also completed the course work for a master’s in electrical engineering program at Iowa State University, and received a master’s in business administration from the University of Iowa.
Dallas, as well as Rebecca, loved music. They performed together in the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale for many years, and sang in the Westminster Presbyterian Church choir, where Rebecca also served as organist, and made worship music a part of their daily lives.
His truest passions were his children, Jennifer, Robert and April. His career was busy, but always secondary to any dance recital, drumline show, band or choral performance, and everything in between. He taught his son how to restore cars at a young age, beginning with his 1964 Chevelle. Nothing was more important to him than his children. A few years after Rebecca’s passing, Dallas relocated to Ames, where he stayed involved in his grandchildren’s activities, even as his health declined. He willed himself forward for the joy of seeing his family. Though many labels could be applied to his life’s accomplishments, all he really wanted to be was that of a family man.
Dallas was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Marie Louise; his wife, Rebecca; and his brother, Johannes “Jan” Kibbe.
He is survived by his son, Robert Kibbe (Laura), Ames; two daughters, Jennifer Kittrell (Chad), Cedar Rapids, and April Brown (Mark), Ankeny; five grandchildren, Emily, Dallas, Noelle, Audrey and Rowan-Michael; a sister-in-law, Sharon Kibbe, Topeka; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wallace and Freda Proctor, Kansas City; five nephews, Nicholas Proctor (Stephanie), Peter Proctor (Jennifer), Jon Proctor (Bridget), Craig Kibbe (Shelby), and Chad Kibbe; and a niece, Janelle Cruz (Sal).
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at Christ Community Church, Ames, Iowa. After the service, a short classic car cruise honored Dallas. Burial with military funeral honors was 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in Union Cemetery, Osage City.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be left at AdamsSoderstrum.com.
