SIOUX CITY -- A former Sioux Cityan well-known for his work at Morningside College and with several local charitable foundations has died.
Donald E. Poppen, 76, died Tuesday in Gilbert, Ariz., after a long battle with cancer.
The Morningside graduate worked for his alma mater for 33 years in a number of capacities including, admissions recruiter, teacher, vice president, dean of student affairs and senior vice president for institutional advancement.
"We always kind of kidded him that if he ever cut himself he would bleed maroon because he was a graduate of Morningside and had worked there for so many years," said Fred Erbes, of Sioux City.
Erbes, assistant vice president for gift planning at the college, worked under Poppen in the admissions and institutional advancement and alumni relations departments. They became friends and went on several fishing trips and also played golf together.
Ruth M. Hamilton recalls Poppen as being a "very jovial" and "hardworking" man.
Hamilton, whose late husband, Robert Wood Green, taught at Morningside, got to know Poppen as a student while chaperoning dances and attending other campus events.
Poppen excelled in basketball, baseball and golf at Morningside College.
Upon graduating from the college in 1957, he served as an officer with the Coast Guard from 1958 to 1961.
Poppen attended Northern Illinois University, majoring in psychology and counseling. He also earned his PhD in college administration from Northern Colorado University.
Poppen married Audrey Smeins in June of 1957, and they had two daughters, Dawn and Suzanne.
In 1961, Poppen began his long career with Morningside College.
"He was very well-liked by alumni and his students," said Hamilton who also worked with Poppen at Morningside.
After retiring from Morningside, Poppen developed and was executive director for the Kind World Foundation and Messengers of Healing Winds Foundation.
He was active in the Sioux City community, serving on the board of directors for various institutions and organizations including Goodwill Industries, Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Siouxland and the Humane Society for Northwest Iowa.
Even after Poppen moved to Chandler, Ariz., Erbes said he kept up with what was going on at Morningside College.
Erbes visited Poppen in the hospital in March after he had fallen and hit his head. Although Erbes noticed his friend was getting weaker, he said the two had a great conversation reminiscing about the college.
"He was a real promoter and someone who really cared about the institution," he said.
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