Bart Rule

Barton Dean Rule was born on July 16, 1947, in Denison, Iowa to Gilbert and Clarice (Wagner) Rule. He grew up on the family farm near Dunlap and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1966. Bart attended St. Benedicts College in Atchison, Kansas and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history in 1970. He then joined the American Peace Corps and was stationed in a village of 1200 people in Northern India. During his time in India he worked in dairy development to improve the milk output of cows. He also built a six room school house for his village with funds collected from American school children. In 1972, Bart returned to Iowa and spent four years in the Iowa Senate as a Chief of Staff to Democratic leaders Senator Jim Schaben of Dunlap and Senator George Kinley of Des Moines. For ten years Bart was Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities. He was also the Harrison County Treasurer for a short time. In later years Bart managed fund raising campaigns around the country for churches, schools, hospitals and other nonprofit organizations. During his life Bart was always active in Democratic politics. His first campaign was in 1968 when he worked for Bobby Kennedy for President. His last was as Harrison County co-chairman for Hillary Clinton in 2008. He was very active in the Iowa campaigns for President Jimmy Carter and attended the White house reception for Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Bart was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, and served on the Dunlap Library Board. He loved to read history and political books, stay current with politics, play cards and he enjoyed a round of golf every now and then. Bart enjoyed sharing stories of his many adventures and experiences with his friends. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Bart died on Thursday, April 2, 2015, at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center after a battle with cancer at the age of 67 years, eight months and 17 days.

Bart was preceded in death by his father Gilbert Rule. He is survived by his mother, Clarice Rule of Dunlap, Iowa; two brothers, Craig Rule of Brighton, Colorado and Alan Rule and his wife Debbie of Nixa, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.