Comments delivered at Iowa State University's induction of Denny onto the Gold Star Wall in the Memorial Union on Veteran's Day November 11, 2008.
DONALD DENNIS WEYKER
Donald Dennis Weyker was born October 8, 1946 in Marshalltown. Since his Dad was named Donald too, he went by Denny.
Denny had an older brother, Gary, who also served in Vietnam, and we regret that Gary and both his parents have passed away. The details we have about Denny’s life were generously provided by high school friends and former neighbors of the Weyker family.
Max Kvidera was a school classmate and he said this about Denny, “In addition to being blessed with an infectious smile and a wonderful, carefree attitude, "Weyk" was a fervent fan of the Beach Boys. Every time I visited the Weyker household, it was rocking with "409" or "Little Deuce Coupe" or "In My Room" or "Surfer Girl." This was before karioke, but Denny could perform and sing every tune by heart. I was a big Beach Boys fan as well, but I couldn't hold a candle to him. He looked the part, too, with blonde hair and penny loafers covering sockless feet.
“Weyk was a genuine friend who showed empathy to his buddies and their problems. I remember a few times when he provided great advice for succeeding with the opposite sex. We also spent many summer nights driving around in his car, sharing stories about girls, future plans and our friends.”
Another old friend confirmed his love of the Beach Boys, and remembered riding around town with “Be True to Your School” and “I Get Around” blaring on the car radio.
Patrick Neff, a high school chum, remembered Denny’s favorite movie – “Nevada Smith” starring Steve McQueen. When Pat and Denny went to see it at the drive-in, Denny had already seen it so many times he could recite the dialogue which totally ruined the film for Pat! Pat also remembers him on stage at a dance at the community college, belting out “Louie Louie” just like the Kingsman who made it famous. Patrick described Denny as an “animated” person who wore his emotions on his sleeve.
Another classmate, Darlene Tomhave, says ” Denny was a doll. He had white/blonde hair, blue eyes, and a baby face. And he was such a kid at heart. When he was 20, he looked 14. I would imagine if he were alive today, he would be 62 going on 32.
Denny’s family attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church and he attended St. Mary’s School through his junior year of high school. At St. Mary’s, he played football and golf, and was a caddy at the Elmwood Country Club. When he transferred to Marshalltown High School for his senior year, he continued with golf and was also active in the YMCA. He graduated from Marshalltown High in 1964.
He attended Marshalltown Community College for two years and then transferred to Iowa State to major in Urban Planning. He was in Ames from September 1966 to May 1967.
Susan Bakken remembers Denny too. She says, “We were friends in high school, at Marshalltown Community College and then at Iowa State. We were both there our junior year. We were excited about going to ISU after being at a community college. Denny joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity as there were quite a few members from Marshalltown. We did enjoy Friday afternoon parties. Denny was a happy, fun loving person. He was handsome and the girls liked him. Everyone one had a good time with him and he always had a smile on his face. At the end of spring quarter 1967, we packed up and headed back to Marshalltown. It was a beautiful spring day as we left the campus and I remember leaving the Sig Ep house. I know Denny was afraid of what grades he might get. If grades were not good, then it was off to Vietnam.”
Denny left school after that spring quarter and worked on the railroad as a Chicago and Northwestern brakeman until he left for the Army in February 1968.
Classmate Susan said, “I am not sure how it happened but we spent New Year’s Eve 1967 together. We were with my parents and some of their friends. Denny liked to be with our friends, but had a good time with people my parent’s age. We went to the old Elks club in Marshalltown and danced to a live band. Denny liked to dance and we had a great time. That was the last time I saw him.”
After basic training, he arrived in Vietnam on November 4, 1968. He was a clerk typist, a Specialist 4, and served as a secretary to two colonels and a general – a clerical job that seemed “safe”.
On December 5, 1968, his base camp at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam came under a mortar fire and he died in the attack. He was 22 years old.
Friend, Max Kvidera [ki VEE dra] said, “My world hurt when I heard he had been killed in Vietnam. It hurt again, many years later, when I found his name on the Vietnam Veterans wall in Washington, D.C. I think about him often.”
Susan Bakken concurs, “I have fond memories of him and especially of that New Year’s Eve we spent together. A few years ago, a small replica of the Vietnam memorial came to a cemetery near where I live. I did a rubbing of his name and then again when I visited the Wall in Washington DC. When I think of him, I remember his care free spirit and love of life. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about a dear friend.”
I rember seeing Denny in the hall and thought he was cute and always nice. I felt his loss in Vietnam was tragic for his family and all who cared about him. But he went where he had to go..... Rest in peace, Denny.
Denny was my lab partner in Science. We had so much fun. He did all the gross stuff I didn't want to do and I did all the paperwork he didn't want to do. We made a good team. I was devastated when I heard about his tragic death in Viet Nam. What a terrible waste....what a wonderful guy.
I didn't know Dennis very well but I definitely remember him singing Louie Louie at a dance. I wouldn't have had enough nerve to do it but he did a great job with it. I have always remembered that with fondness. I wasn't aware of where he was killed but oddly enough I was stationed at bien hoa in 72 and 73.
Glenn Moore, I didn't know Denny well either. But I do remember the incident you're talking about! Just being around him made me smile. It was a sad day when we lost him.
Chaperoned a 4-H trip to DC years later and got in trouble for spending too much time at the VN Monument. We we're just supposed to walk by it. The powers that be we're upset that I was lagging behind instead of eating lunch. I was trying to get rubbings of Bill McKibben, Denny and Dave Rutgers. Guess the leader hadn't lost anyone in the War because she was not sympathetic. RIP guys. You are not forgotten.
Denny was my lab partner in Mr. Vana's Biology class. I didn't know him until then but immediately had a huge crush on him. He was so sweet and so much fun and did all the frog disecting and gross stuff form me, What an awesome guy he was! I will always remember him fondly.
Denny was a great guy, funny and always had a smile on his face. We played on a Y.M.C.A. basketball team together and travelled to several games throughout central Iowa. One in particular was a two day tournament in Cedar Rapids. We stayed over Saturday night in an old hotel down town.Luckily we didn't get in trouble and had a lot of fun.
When I came home on leave from the Air Force for Christmas 1968, I found out that he had been killed. I just couldn't believe he was taken so young.
I attended his funeral and it was one of the saddest I've ever been to, especially with it being during Christmas. I think of him often and wonder what is life could have been.
H. Victor "Vic" Hellberg
Comments delivered at Iowa State University's induction of Denny onto the Gold Star Wall in the Memorial Union on Veteran's Day November 11, 2008.
DONALD DENNIS WEYKER
Donald Dennis Weyker was born October 8, 1946 in Marshalltown. Since his Dad was named Donald too, he went by Denny.
Denny had an older brother, Gary, who also served in Vietnam, and we regret that Gary and both his parents have passed away. The details we have about Denny’s life were generously provided by high school friends and former neighbors of the Weyker family.
Max Kvidera was a school classmate and he said this about Denny, “In addition to being blessed with an infectious smile and a wonderful, carefree attitude, "Weyk" was a fervent fan of the Beach Boys. Every time I visited the Weyker household, it was rocking with "409" or "Little Deuce Coupe" or "In My Room" or "Surfer Girl." This was before karioke, but Denny could perform and sing every tune by heart. I was a big Beach Boys fan as well, but I couldn't hold a candle to him. He looked the part, too, with blonde hair and penny loafers covering sockless feet.
“Weyk was a genuine friend who showed empathy to his buddies and their problems. I remember a few times when he provided great advice for succeeding with the opposite sex. We also spent many summer nights driving around in his car, sharing stories about girls, future plans and our friends.”
Another old friend confirmed his love of the Beach Boys, and remembered riding around town with “Be True to Your School” and “I Get Around” blaring on the car radio.
Patrick Neff, a high school chum, remembered Denny’s favorite movie – “Nevada Smith” starring Steve McQueen. When Pat and Denny went to see it at the drive-in, Denny had already seen it so many times he could recite the dialogue which totally ruined the film for Pat! Pat also remembers him on stage at a dance at the community college, belting out “Louie Louie” just like the Kingsman who made it famous. Patrick described Denny as an “animated” person who wore his emotions on his sleeve.
Another classmate, Darlene Tomhave, says ” Denny was a doll. He had white/blonde hair, blue eyes, and a baby face. And he was such a kid at heart. When he was 20, he looked 14. I would imagine if he were alive today, he would be 62 going on 32.
Denny’s family attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church and he attended St. Mary’s School through his junior year of high school. At St. Mary’s, he played football and golf, and was a caddy at the Elmwood Country Club. When he transferred to Marshalltown High School for his senior year, he continued with golf and was also active in the YMCA. He graduated from Marshalltown High in 1964.
He attended Marshalltown Community College for two years and then transferred to Iowa State to major in Urban Planning. He was in Ames from September 1966 to May 1967.
Susan Bakken remembers Denny too. She says, “We were friends in high school, at Marshalltown Community College and then at Iowa State. We were both there our junior year. We were excited about going to ISU after being at a community college. Denny joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity as there were quite a few members from Marshalltown. We did enjoy Friday afternoon parties. Denny was a happy, fun loving person. He was handsome and the girls liked him. Everyone one had a good time with him and he always had a smile on his face. At the end of spring quarter 1967, we packed up and headed back to Marshalltown. It was a beautiful spring day as we left the campus and I remember leaving the Sig Ep house. I know Denny was afraid of what grades he might get. If grades were not good, then it was off to Vietnam.”
Denny left school after that spring quarter and worked on the railroad as a Chicago and Northwestern brakeman until he left for the Army in February 1968.
Classmate Susan said, “I am not sure how it happened but we spent New Year’s Eve 1967 together. We were with my parents and some of their friends. Denny liked to be with our friends, but had a good time with people my parent’s age. We went to the old Elks club in Marshalltown and danced to a live band. Denny liked to dance and we had a great time. That was the last time I saw him.”
After basic training, he arrived in Vietnam on November 4, 1968. He was a clerk typist, a Specialist 4, and served as a secretary to two colonels and a general – a clerical job that seemed “safe”.
On December 5, 1968, his base camp at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam came under a mortar fire and he died in the attack. He was 22 years old.
Friend, Max Kvidera [ki VEE dra] said, “My world hurt when I heard he had been killed in Vietnam. It hurt again, many years later, when I found his name on the Vietnam Veterans wall in Washington, D.C. I think about him often.”
Susan Bakken concurs, “I have fond memories of him and especially of that New Year’s Eve we spent together. A few years ago, a small replica of the Vietnam memorial came to a cemetery near where I live. I did a rubbing of his name and then again when I visited the Wall in Washington DC. When I think of him, I remember his care free spirit and love of life. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about a dear friend.”
Karen Anderson
I rember seeing Denny in the hall and thought he was cute and always nice. I felt his loss in Vietnam was tragic for his family and all who cared about him. But he went where he had to go..... Rest in peace, Denny.
Pamela Paul (Ryner-Ford)
Denny was my lab partner in Science. We had so much fun. He did all the gross stuff I didn't want to do and I did all the paperwork he didn't want to do. We made a good team. I was devastated when I heard about his tragic death in Viet Nam. What a terrible waste....what a wonderful guy.
Glen Moore
I didn't know Dennis very well but I definitely remember him singing Louie Louie at a dance. I wouldn't have had enough nerve to do it but he did a great job with it. I have always remembered that with fondness. I wasn't aware of where he was killed but oddly enough I was stationed at bien hoa in 72 and 73.Sharon "Kc" Collins (Hummel)
Glenn Moore, I didn't know Denny well either. But I do remember the incident you're talking about! Just being around him made me smile. It was a sad day when we lost him.Chaperoned a 4-H trip to DC years later and got in trouble for spending too much time at the VN Monument. We we're just supposed to walk by it. The powers that be we're upset that I was lagging behind instead of eating lunch. I was trying to get rubbings of Bill McKibben, Denny and Dave Rutgers. Guess the leader hadn't lost anyone in the War because she was not sympathetic. RIP guys. You are not forgotten.
Pamela Paul (Ryner-Ford)
Denny was my lab partner in Mr. Vana's Biology class. I didn't know him until then but immediately had a huge crush on him. He was so sweet and so much fun and did all the frog disecting and gross stuff form me, What an awesome guy he was! I will always remember him fondly.
Micheal Himes
Denny was a great guy, funny and always had a smile on his face. We played on a Y.M.C.A. basketball team together and travelled to several games throughout central Iowa. One in particular was a two day tournament in Cedar Rapids. We stayed over Saturday night in an old hotel down town.Luckily we didn't get in trouble and had a lot of fun.
When I came home on leave from the Air Force for Christmas 1968, I found out that he had been killed. I just couldn't believe he was taken so young.
I attended his funeral and it was one of the saddest I've ever been to, especially with it being during Christmas. I think of him often and wonder what is life could have been.