David Forkenbrock

David Forkenbrock graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961 and was extremely proud of having been born and raised in Thief River Falls.  He considered himself to have been exceedingly well prepared in English language skills by the late Ms.Thora Skomedal. After graduation David attended the University of Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1965.   He attended Wayne State University and received his Master’s Degree in 1973 and then went on to the University of Michigan where he earned his Doctorate Degree in 1977.  

David became a nationally recognized transportation researcher and a prominent University of Iowa faculty member where he worked for thirty years, serving as professor in the departments of Urban and Regional Planning and Civil and Environmental Engineering.  He also served as chair of Urban and Regional Planning, chair of the Faculty Senate budget committee, and head of a campus-side effort to improve interdisciplinary research.

David’s many years of service to the University of Iowa and his vision in founding the Public Policy Center resulted in a center that brought together researchers from a variety of fields and disciplines to impact policy at local, state, and national levels through sound academic scholarship. He served as the Center’s director until his retirement in July 2007. David was an elected member of the American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows and a lifetime member of the National Academy of Sciences.  Following his retirement, he continued to serve as a professor emeritus at the Public Policy Center.

In addition to his academic achievements, David had a distinguished 20-year military career.  He served three tours of duty with the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam as a navigator and was discharged with honors in 1970 with the rank of Captain.  In 1971, he joined the 305th Air Rescue and Refueling Squadron at Selfridge ANGB, Mount Clemens, Michigan, serving as navigator and retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1986.  

David wrote numerous works and articles in his field and was recognized by his peers throughout the country.  Whether he worked with students, colleagues, or strangers he always gave his best.  David passed away on January 11, 2008 at his home in Iowa City, following a lengthy illness.  He is survived by his wife Dorina and their two sons.  David’s fondness for his hometown and his early years in Thief River Falls was mentioned by a co-worker.  This individual felt that he knew the town well through David’s frequent and passionate stories about growing up in Thief River Falls.  David who was a nationally recognized scholar certainly deserves to be honored by the hometown he loved so well as a member of the Prowler Hall of Fame.