MERLE BUD ROSS

Bud graduated from Loras College where he excelled in both basketball and baseball. He played professional baseball in the White Sox organization, making it to Triple A with Memphis. In 1955, he started his career in insurance at what was then the Showalter and Ross Agency, later renamed Ross, English and Associates Insurance.

During his entire insurance career, Bud always emphasized continuing professional education. He received his CPCU designation in 1976 and was a regular participant at Dr. Vaughan’s insurance schools in Iowa City. He was well known throughout 14 Midwest states as an insurance instructor, always willing to share his time and knowledge.

Bud was very active in the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa for many years, including serving as president in 1982. He received IIAl’s Chairman Award for his tireless work as chair of their education committee, their Agent of the Year Award, and a Presidential Citation for Outstanding Service to the industry and American agency system.

Bud’s civic contributions include serving as mayor of Dyersville, participating in the formation of the Western Dubuque Community School District and serving as its first chair, and participating in the movement to start a hospital in Dyersville. After seven years of hard work and fundraising, Dyersville Community Hospital opened in 1969 and is currently thriving as Mercy Medical Center, Dyersville.

Bud has received the Outstanding Dyersville Boss of the Year Award, the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, and was elected to the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame.

Bud retired in 1998 after 43 years of remarkable service to the independent agency system and his community. While Bud has given incalculable hours to his community and the insurance industry, he always put family first. He and his wife Jane have been blessed with 10 children, 28 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.