Memorial

George Warren Hidinger, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died January 3, 2009, at his home. Services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday in Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Jay Jentink officiating. Graveside services and entombment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at 2 PM on Friday. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday and at the church after 9:30 AM on Friday.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Marjorie, and son and daughter-in-law, James and Jill Hidinger, and daughter Barbara Hidinger, all of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are four grandchildren, all of Cedar Rapids – Justin, Andrea and Eric Osmundson, and Heather Losch. Great grandchildren include Noah and Eden Losch, and Kiley Mayland. He was preceded in death by his parents of Oelwein, Iowa, his brother Fred of Waterloo, and his brother Francis of Sun City, Arizona.

George was born February 22, 1921 in Oelwein, Iowa, to Fred and Myrtle Faust Hidinger. He married Marjorie Barb in Iowa City on August 10, 1947.

In high school in Oelwein, his athletic abilities were evident in football, basketball and track, where he set the school high jump record. His music abilities won him a music scholarship to Coe College in Cedar Rapids. At Coe, in addition to playing in the band for four years, he earned athletic scholarships in football and track. His football abilities caught the interest of several professional football teams who sent him invitational letters, but at that time world events set a different course, as it did for many young men. Upon graduation from Coe in 1942 with a B.A. degree in mathematics and physical education, he enlisted as an officer in the U.S Marine Corps.

His officer candidate training took place at Quantico, Virginia. He spent time at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina and Camp Elliott in San Diego before seeing action on New Caledonia, New Guinea, Pelelieu and New Britain. He served as the Executive Officer for D Battery, with the first Marine Division. He was home on leave when Japan surrendered, and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant. In 1954 he helped establish the Cedar Rapids chapter of the Marine Corps Reserve. He resigned from the Marine Corps for good in 1955 as a Major.

Leaving the Marine Corps he enrolled at the University of Iowa, earning a Master's Degree in 1947. It was here, in the Placement office, he met the love of his life, Marjorie Barb. Later, he did additional graduate work at the University of Iowa, Hamilton College, Baldwin-Wallace College, Knox College, University of Illinois and the University of Southern California.

The next 37 years were devoted to a career in public school education. His first teaching and coaching job was in Sumner, Iowa, where his last football team went undefeated. In 1951 he accepted the position of physical education teacher and head football coach at Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids. In 1957, when Jefferson and Washington High Schools were opened, he became the first football coach at Jefferson High School. In 1961 he became Athletics Director, as well as teaching courses in mathematics.

Under his care, the athletics program at Jefferson grew from nine boys sports to 21 boys and girls sports. In 1968 he helped form the Iowa State Athletic Directors Association, serving as its first secretary-treasurer. He became its third president in 1971. He has filled many roles in Iowa high school athletics, and in 1975 was named Iowa Athletic Director of the Year. Other accomplishments include overseeing the creation of the Iowa state high school football play-offs; fittingly, Jefferson won the first state title in 1973. He served on the Iowa Girls High School Athletics Gymnastics Advisory Committee until retirement. He retired in 1983 as Associate Principal.

His individual awards are too numerous to list, but he was especially proud to be inducted to these organizations: Coe College Athletic Hall of Fame, Jefferson High School Hall of Fame, State Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, Jefferson Booster Club Hall of Fame, Jefferson Track Hall of Fame. In addition, the class of 1977 voted to name the Jefferson High School Athlete of the Year Award in his honor.

He has been a very active member of Calvary Baptist Church since 1953 in many different capacities including Sunday School teacher, trustee and deacon. For many years he conducted services at local nursing homes and spent many hours visiting and uplifting the infirmed and elderly.

George loved spending time with the friends he had made over the years - his Marine Corps buddies, high school athletic directors and coaches from across the state, and his church friends. He especially cherished his family – Marjorie, who has attended more high school athletic events than there are cornstalks in Iowa, was the rock in his life. Together they made Jesus Christ the center of their lives and set unwavering examples for their family and friends. His home was centered around Christ, uplifting others, and columbia blue and white.

George Hidinger, aside from his impressive list of accomplishments, may well be remembered best as a humble, honorable man, whose integrity was beyond reproach and whose example has set the standard as the way to live one's life. He has left a large hole in our hearts.

A memorial fund has been established.