Albert Jennings Obituary

Albert “Al” Laurence Jennings, 89

Albert Laurence Jennings was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 2, 1934, to Lillian Witt Jennings and William Allen (W.A.) Jennings. He passed away September 22, 2024, just 10 days shy of his 90th birthday. Al married Ann Louise Woodard on June 10, 1956. Together they had four children - John, Bob, Julie, and Heidi. He and Ann lived in the house he proudly built on the north side of Des Moines for 65 years until they moved to Brio of Johnston during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his senior year at North High School (’52), he met Ann at a church youth group. He went on to graduate with a degree in Engineering (’56) from Iowa State University and married Ann the very next day, becoming inseparable companions in all their adventures. He started his 64-year professional career at EFCO Corp., formerly Economy Forms, June 11, 1956. He was in senior management, including the CEO and Chairman of the Board, 1980-2020, during a time when the company grew worldwide as a leader in the steel forms for concrete construction industry. He was Chair Emeritus having never missed a board meeting until his final weeks. EFCO, founded by his father W.A. Jennings, is headquartered on the northeast side of Des Moines. The 90-year-old, four generation family business specializes in engineering, forming, and shoring in the concrete construction industry while employing over 1,200 employees in 12 countries. Al played key roles in the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) serving as Chairman (1986-87) and was on the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Board of Directors for 20 years.

Al was a firm believer in working hard and playing hard; a vacation only meant a change of pace, even if it meant faster. Avid travelers, he and Ann saw much of the world but not without visiting an EFCO building, bridge, or stadium job along the way. For most of his adult life, he enjoyed attending sporting events and participating in tennis, snow skiing (over 55 years), sailing on Saylorville Lake, and scuba diving (30+ years). Al was very proud of the underwater videos he made of the many sea creatures he encountered around the globe, and enjoyed sharing these with friends and family. Not until 2000 did Al start slower paced weekends at Lake Panorama, still located close enough for him to drive to the office.

Loyal to their alma mater, Al and Ann attended Iowa State University alumni activities and sporting events. They had season tickets for over six decades of football, both men’s and women’s basketball, and followed the teams to the Big 12 tournaments. His many volunteer positions and awards received at ISU included: Life Time Member of the Foundation Board of Governors, Alumni Medal for Devoted Service (1982), Achievement Foundation Board of Directors (1984), Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering (1994), and Order of the Knoll Campanile Award (2004). When the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center was built in Ames, Al was part of the initial investment group to head up the construction. The group later gifted the complex to the ISU Foundation. When the time came, Al formed Friends of ISU which repurchased and continues to operate the hotel welcoming and serving visitors to the University and the Greater Ames Community. He was Forever a Cyclone!

Al and Ann believed in education and the importance of enhancing their community. They made sacrifices and were very generous, providing scholarships to make it possible for many students to attend college. In 1996, long-time friend Senator Charles Grassley asked Al to be a founding member of a coalition to combat high-risk youth behavior, currently called Partnership for a Healthy Iowa. This remained a passion of Al’s.

Al is survived by four children - John (Cristiane) of Orlando, FL, Bob (Janet) of West Des Moines, IA and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Julie Walter (Dave) of Johnston, IA and Heidi Kluzak (Rick) of Taylors Falls, MN.

Also survived by eleven grandchildren - April Maszy of McKinney, TX, Tim (Karrie) of Orlando, FL, and Aspen, Orlando, FL. Tom (Kaci) of Bettendorf, IA, and Dan (Courtney) of West Des Moines, IA. Scott Walter (Anne) of Des Moines, IA, Steven Walter (Sarah) of Ames, IA, Eric Walter (Allie) of Johnston, IA, and EmmaGrace Stochl (Noah) of Kaiserslautern, Germany. Peter Kluzak (Brittni) of Los Angeles, CA, and Simon Kluzak of St. Croix Falls, WI.

Al and Ann were blessed with 17 great grandchildren - survived by Elizabeth and Alice Maszy of McKinney. London and Violet Jennings of Orlando. Emerson and Hensley Jennings of Bettendorf. Brooklyn and Rowe Jennings of West Des Moines. Mae, Eva, Boe, Emi and Lea Walter of Ames. Ruby and Emery Walter of Johnston. Owen and Josie Stochl of Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Al is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jeanne (Ralph) of Johnston, IA, and younger brother, Donald (Nancy), of Altoona, IA.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Ann of 66 years; his parents; older sister Georgene Petersen (Richard, “Dick”); older brother, Ralph, and great grandson, Leo Walter.

The family is grateful for the caregivers at Brio of Johnston and Wesley Life Hospice, Nancy and Don Jennings, and Dick Calkins for their kindness toward Al. Please consider making a donation in Al’s honor to endow the North High School Jennings Scholarship Fund. Mail to: Polar Bear Scholarship Fund, 501 Holcomb Ave., Des Moines, IA 50313, please designate for the Jennings Scholarship.

The family will host a Celebration of Life open house for all to attend on Al’s 90th Birthday, October 2, 2024, 5:00-7:00 pm at the Concrete Construction & Forming Institute on the EFCO Campus, 1800 NE Broadway Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313. Please refer to the internet for road construction updates.

Private burial will be at Glendale Cemetery. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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