Jerry Bookin-Weiner shares news about Rex Harvey services:
There is now a link for the official obituary and place to leave condolence messages for Rex Harvey.
On the website there is a place to leave condolence messages for the family, who have asked that their personal email addresses not be shared.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 10 a.m. Central Time in his hometown of Redfield, Iowa, about 45 minutes from the Des Moines (DSM) Airport. There will be a visitation the previous evening. Full details are in the obituary.
A Rex Harvey Memorial Track & Field Scholarship has been set up by the family in-lieu of sending flowers. The intent is that the beneficiaries be masters athletes. Donations may be made at this website.
May Rex’s memory be a blessing….
Here’s the obituary text, in case the link fails.
Rex Harvey, 73, of Redfield, Iowa, passed Sunday, December 22, 2019, in Prescott, Arizona of a heart attack. Rex was born to Leo Marvel Harvey, and Anna Alice Rote, July 6, 1946, in Dexter, Iowa. Rex is survived by his wife of fifty years, Joan Harvey. His younger brother Ki Harvey (Patricia Harvey). His two children, Jared Lara-Harvey (Peter Lara-Harvey), and Keelie Jena (Alok Jena). As well as two grandchildren, Aiden Jena and Conner Jena.
Rex attended Dexfield High School, where he helped his track and field team win two state championships under the legendary coach Dean Roe. He then earned a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University, where he attended on an athletic track and field scholarship. During which he participated in four U.S. NCAA Division I Championships. Rex was a Vietnam War Veteran, who served as a Captain in the United States Airforce. As a member of the US Military track and field team he represented the United States at many international competitions, as well as the 1972 & 1976 US Olympic Trials in the Decathlon. He went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management at the University of Southern California. During his many years as an engineer, he designed and holds several patents for nozzles. He ended his career as a Research Development Engineer at Parker Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio.
Rex continued his track career as a masters competitor, during which he won 13 straight national decathlon championships, as well as several world championships in the decathlon, pole vault, and as a member of several relay teams. He was inducted into the USATF Masters Hall of Fame in 2000. Rex was an integral part of developing age-graded tables for scoring masters track and field athletic performances. He was elected to two terms as Vice President Stadia of World Masters Athletics (WMA). He currently was serving as the President of USATF Masters Track & Field.
A visitation will be held Friday, January 31st, from 6-8 PM at the Redfield United Methodist Church, 715 Jefferson St, Redfield, Iowa 50233. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, February 1st, at 10:00 AM at Redfield United Methodist Church. Burial will be at East Linn Cemetery followed by a luncheon served by the Women’s Auxiliary at the America Legion Post 261, 1116 Thomas St, Redfield, IA 50233. Arrangements are by Johnson Family Funeral Home, Dexter, Iowa.
A Rex Harvey Memorial Track & Field Scholarship has been set up by the family in lieu of sending flowers.
Contribute to support independent track and field journalism:
Just saw that another Masters Track and Field Hall of Fame athlete has passed. Mel Larsen (class of 2000) died December 8 in Ames, Iowa at age 95. A memorial service was held December 14. Mel was a great sprinter, hurdler and long jumper and it was an honor to have competed against him a number of times. Condolences to him and his family. May he rest in peace.
Some past bio info on Mel Larsen can be found on the website link below.
Prayers for his family and friends.
https://pscbobcats.com/news/2017/8/29/general-peru-state-salutes-its-hall-of-fame-members-melvin-larsen.aspx
One more Mel Larsen weblink below
https://pscbobcats.com/hof.aspx?hof=6
The obituary on Mel may be seen online at “Melvin Larsen Obituary Ames Iowa”.
TRACK MEET OF LIFE
In the big track meet of life we are all entered in different events. Some find themselves in the sprints and run a short race before moving on. Others find themselves in a marathon that can last a century or more.
Some find themselves in the hurdles or steeplechase with a seemingly unending series of barriers or jumps to overcome.
Whether short or long, one thing is certain, a finish line awaits us all.
While we set off when the starting gun sounds, we do not know where or when the finish line will suddenly appear.
And yet, during the race, Rex Harvey and Mel Larsen had family and friends and others to cheer them on. Rex and Mel served as an inspiration for the rest of us to do our best, because our race isn’t over yet.