Herbert D. Pownall, Herb born June 1922, died August 17, 2017. He, first of four children, Margaret, Lorna and Eugene to Paul C. and Helen (Battey) Pownall, college graduates who farmed in Cedar County Iowa. Herb married Quita C. Crandall 1950. Children, Paul H. and Cony L. along with Cony’s daughters Caryn W. Mielke (Jake) and Kristyn L. Wykert enriched his life.
He went to small Midwest town schools and to Boy’s State where he learned about use of political action. Graduated high school 1940, worked on farm, enrolled at Iowa State College as a freshman. He enlisted Private in US Army after Pearl Harbor attack 1942. Rose to Personnel Sgt. Major, at 2nd Army Air Force Base, El Paso, TX, discharged at war’s end 1946.
Early on, he found courteous, positive behavior coupled with orderliness, attention to detail, and inquiry covered his private nature. All served him well in challenging adventures. These included college, Army service and in early 1946 he was a sea-going UNRRA cowboy sailing as Supervisor with a Veterinarian & 30 attendants of 800 head of bred dairy heifers for war-torn European farmers and later again in 1947 to China.
He returned 1948 to Iowa State study, campus politics, photo notoriety, and Editor of a complex college yearbook, the “Bomb”. He worked summers for Jackson Hole pioneer artist and photographer, Harrison R. Crandall and fell in love with and married the boss’s artist daughter, Quita in 1950. Graduated from Iowa State 1951 in Ag Econ & Tech Journalism. He worked at Crandall Studios summers 1947-1957. Herb started University of Wyoming Photo Service in 1958, was 1968 Easter Island Expedition photographer and retired from UW Agricultural Extension Service, Media Specialist 1988.
His Wyoming Legislative life started with a ski slope acquaintance with a Teton County neighbor rancher’s son, Harry Barker, who had been House Chief Clerk and wanted to run for State office next term. Republican leaders chose Herb for the job in 1957. It was not a document-based task. Word of mouth from former staff and seasoned Legislators guided him. He told Mr. Speaker, Lee Keith, of a need for a manual of procedure. Reply, “Write one.” Herb started a much used guide in his 32 years as Chief Clerk.
Queries to members, staff, officials, and media people on Rules, Laws, and procedures, brought many notes to be organized and were printed – as “House Employee’s Procedure Manual”. With praise and use by both House and Senate, it grew through several amended editions as, “The Wyoming Manual of Legislative Procedures”. A valued core in regular use and later, as on-line technology blended old ways under changing staffs and management, in transition to modern computer aided systems and ways. He retired 1988.
Family circumstances resulted in both Herb’s and Quita’s mothers, late in their lives, living with Pownalls southeast of Laramie. Herb found interest and involvement in senior citizen living and Laramie Housing Inc. This non-profit Corp. was founded in 1984 aimed to establish a nonprofit senior’s housing capability in Laramie. After exploratory years, land acquisition, bonding approval, financial structure, residential style, and municipal clearances, it successfully incorporated and gifted the “Regency Retirement Residence of Laramie, Inc.”. Herb served as President of both boards at different times until retirement in 2014. Deafness and unstable physical balance made him home bound in his later years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be at 3 PM Friday, Aug. 25th at the United Presbyterian Church at 11th and Grand.
My condolences to the family. Years ago two of the good guys Herb and Spike Spackman, mentored my budding photojournalism efforts. Herb will always be remembered for his positive, optimistic attitude and his kindness to all. Over the years he never failed to greet me with a grin, a handshake, and by name. He was a decent man and a class act.
Dear Quita and family, My condolences to all of you. This is really sad news. I first met Herb, along with Paul, on the 1968 Easter Island project where he was a wonderful field companion and excellent teacher of photography. His photos of Rano Raraku statues (with me as scale) still hang in my house! A few meetings after that in Laramie allowed us to reminisce about the island. We will all miss his very upbeat and congenial presence. Bill Ayres
To Quita and the Pownall Family: With great sympathy to this family we knew and loved very much. We remember Herb with such fondness during the years we lived in Laramie. A great family and a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.
Our sincere condolences to all of you
To the family of Herb Pownall, I'm sorry for your loss. I first became aware of Herb from his HumaNature podcast interview last fall about his seagoing cowboy experience. I am the author of the seagoing cowboy website and blog, having spent the past fifteen years researching, writing, and speaking about this history. It has been on my to-do list to call Herb and learn more about his experience; however, I have not gotten that done and now the opportunity has passed. I did so enjoy hearing him tell of his trip to Germany on HumaNature. The seagoing cowboys were a special group of people who performed a wonderful service to humanity after World War II, and Herb was one of them. I'm sorry I never had the opportunity to meet him.
Dear Quita and family- With great sadness I share my feelings with you but with great memories dating back to 1957 when he and you were my landlord and life-long friends who I admired for being so good to me as my substitute “parents” and friends. Until a few months we stayed in contact and his help , support , character and common interests together with you as a teammate left a life-long fond memory book in my memory bank. Love Dieter
I worked with Herb with the Wyoming Extension Service. He helped with the 4-H "Jr. Legislature" for years and taught many 4-H members how a bill became law in Wyoming. I always admired his upbeat, encouraging manner. After reading his obituary, I kept thinking to myself, "What a wonderful life!"