Obituaries : Craig Alan Dilley

Craig Alan Dilley

ANKENY - Craig Alan Dilley, 48, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2014, due to a one-car accident on Highway 330 in Jasper County, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2014, at Windsor Methodist Church, 6222 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 9, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, 1212 1st Avenue, Vinton, Iowa.

Craig was born on January 8, 1966, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of John Franklin and Patricia Ann Morrissey Dilley. His family moved to Marlinton, West Virginia, where Craig graduated from high school.

Craig attended Marshall University in West Virginia and then enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1987-1991. He served as the Department Head of Weather Observing Operations from 1989-1991 at the Tonopah Test Range, located on the Ellis Air Force Base in Nevada. He received the John Levitow Leadership Award in 1989.

Craig received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1993 (Magna cum laude) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. From Iowa State University he received his B.S. (Magna cum laude, 1995), M.S. (With Distinction, 1999) and PhD (2007) in Horticulture. During his time at ISU, he held positions of Research Associate II, Graduate Research Assistant and Instructor in the Horticulture department. He received the Iowa State University VEISHA Outstanding Faculty Award (2005) and the Iowa State University Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award (2007).

Craig most recently worked as Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Des Moines Area Community College. He also taught courses in Field Ecology, Conservation Biology, Botany, Sustainable Living and Human Biology. He loved teaching and thought it was important to include humor in his classes.

In 1999, he married Erika Elizabeth Hodgson in Ames, Iowa. Twin daughters Gretta Edith and Sophia Lucile were born to them on June 30, 2002. They later divorced.

Craig had many talents - drawing, guitar, collecting books and humor. He enjoyed everything in nature. He was an extremely caring, compassionate and humble person. He was also a wonderful father.

He is survived by his parents, John Dilley of Marlinton, WV, and Patricia (Richard) Fowler of Louisa, VA; his daughters, Gretta & Sophia Dilley, and their mother, Erika Hodgson of Vinton, IA; his brother, John W. Dilley of Oxnard, CA; his sister, Pamela (Jackie) Moore of Marlinton, WV; his half-brother, Dustin Fowler of Louisa, VA; many nieces & nephews; and his former in-laws and friends, Jim & Jacquie Hodgson of Vinton, IA.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Craig and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.