Tribute2003 Robert Bob Helmick, a highly regarded leader of local and international legal, cultural and sports communities, died of complications of a stroke on April 14. Helmick, 66, was a long-time supporter of Terrace Hill and a past chair of the Terrace Hill Commission.
Bob had a unique sense of architecture, art and public places, and Terrace Hill encompasses all of those arenas. He had a love for, and interest in, the building and the institutionthat is Terrace Hill, said Bob Josten, a colleague and fellow Terrace Hill Foundation board member.
Don Byers, a past president of the Terrace Hill Foundation, said, Bob found a way to bring the Commission, Foundation and Society together to present a singular voice to address the needs of Terrace Hill and present them to the legislature. Accomplishing that kind of harmony and peace enabled Terrace Hill to achieve significant steps in the restoration process.
In working with Bob, I always found him to be available and to be a good listener, said former Society President Dottie Butts.
Over the years, Helmick developed a vibrant legal practice dedicated to assisting the state of Iowa and its cities, counties, school districts and public agencies in financing their many needs. He lent his creative talents in the drafting of many of the laws in the state of Iowa relating to public financing, including the City Code, the Iowa Finance Authority (formerly, the Iowa Housing Finance Authority), the law establishing the Iowa Agricultural Development Authority, and more recently, the Vision Iowa Act and the Tobacco Settlement Authority Act.
Helmick also committed substantial time and energy to amateur sports at the national and international level. A water polo enthusiast, he was a founding member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 1984, served as president of the United States Olympic Committee from 1985 to 1991, and was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1985 to 1991.
Butts added, Bobs love for Terrace Hill was illustrated when I visited with his children at the hospital. When talking about their father, they told me that of all his interests, his greatest joy came from his work with Terrace Hill. He frequently took his grandchildren for a visit to the mansion and a stroll through the gardens.
Terrace Hill the Commission, Foundation and Society are indebted to Bob Helmick for his years of dedication and support. We extend our condolences to his family and friends we, too, feel the loss.
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