Arthur M. Fischbeck

MASON CITY: Arthur M. Fischbeck, 93, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 28 2014 at the Good Shepherd Health Center, with his wife Mary by his side. A celebration of Art’s life will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Avenue. Friends, family and the North Iowa community are invited to attend. Inurnment services will take place in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed in Art’s name to the Mason City Public Library Archives or the First Presbyterian Church. Arthur M. Fischbeck was born, February 22, 1920 to Ralph W. and Helen (Osler) Fischbeck in Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from MCHS in 1937, MC Junior College in 1939 and University of Iowa in 1941. Art began working for New England Life Insurance in Boston and enlisted in the army in 1942. He served in Alaska, Germany and France, achieving the rank of 1st lieutenant. Following the war, Art returned to Mason City to join his father in the insurance business. In 1947 he married Mary Lee Weiss. In 1947 he and his family moved to and worked in Iowa City in Mary’s family’s flower business. In 1952, they returned to Mason City and he took over his late father’s independent insurance agency. In 1957 he joined Dick Romey, who became his very good friend as well as business partner. In 1978, following Dick Romey’s retirement, Art and Dick Price formed a partnership, later merging with First Insurance as he gradually retired in 1988. He maintained his license until 2012. Art was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon and elder and on the local session and regional Presbytery. Active in the community throughout his life serving on the boards of: Good Shepard Geriatric Center, KCMR Radio, Crime Stoppers, Kinney Pioneer Museum, NIACC Alumni Association, Band Festival Committee, M.C. Historical Preservation Overlay District Commission, M.C. Sesquicentennial Executive Committee And as Board Chair of: YMCA, Mason City Council of Churches, Girl Scouts Camp Tanglefoot, Mason City Public Library, Noon Kiwanis, Mason City Country Club, Mason City Chamber of Commerce; co-chaired the Cerro Gordo County Sesquicentennial Commission and the first Downtown Redevelopment Commission. His Honors include: 1967- Y man of the Year (Y.M.C.A.) 1988-Friend of Preservation (River City Society for Historic Preservation), 1988-Distinguished Citizen Award (M.C. Chamber of Commerce), 1990-Grand Marshall Band Festival Parade, 1994-Service Above Self Award (Noon Rotary Club), 1995-Distinguished Alumni Award (M.C. High School), 1996-N. I. Mercy Health Center Silver Distinction Award, 1999-Distinguished Alumni Award (NIACC Alumni Association), 2004-Shining Star Award (City of Mason City). Art’s primary interest/obsession for 50 years was Mason City history. From his collection of photos from the negatives of his friend Safford Lock to his research of the (Meredith and Dixie) Willson Family, he would not stop researching until he was satisfied he had answered all lingering questions. In many cases he could recollect people, places or events from memory or know exactly where to find the information. He was proud to be officially designated Mason City’s Unofficial Historian by the City Council in 1988. Art co-edited 3 pictorial histories of Mason City, and contributed to at least 4 more. He compiled several, unpublished histories for the Library Archives. He was often interviewed by local news media, as well as, for documentaries and authors with national outlets. Art may be remembered most, by people in the community, for his slide-show talks to service clubs, class reunions and grade schools. His post-retirement association with the Mason City Public Library Archives was a proud passion for him. He has left the majority of his collection of pictures there for the citizens of his beloved Mason City to access. Married to Mary for almost 67 years, they enjoyed traveling, dancing, golfing, bridge and their many friends. He was a devoted husband and father. Left to proudly cherish his memory is his wife Mary, daughter, Sue Ann (Tom) Reisdorph, of Franklin NC, son, Bill (Marilee), of El Cajon, CA, son, John (Donna) of Mason City, 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Also, a sister-in-law, Beth Brown, of Cedar Rapids, IA., and 7 nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Helen Brown, brother, Ralph O. Fischbeck, sister, Dorothy Smith, and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Fischbeck.