Ivan Franz Dusek

Ivan Dusek, 86, of Willmar, died Wednesday, February 26th at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital.  There will be a time of remembrance at 12:00 pm (noon) at The Barn Theatre in Willmar on Saturday, March 22nd.  Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Ivan was born December 7, 1938, in Czechoslovakia and towards the end of WW II, he and his mother fled to the west.  At the age of 13, while attending school in West Germany, he became a professional actor in the City Theaters of Nuremberg which produced opera, ballet and drama.

Upon coming to the United States, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Drake University and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota.  He accepted a position at Ridgewater College in Willmar to teach communication and theatre in 1967.

He directed, designed, and acted in more than 100 different productions in professional, community, and educational theatre.  His experiences included touring companies and a USO Tour for the United States Army personnel in Europe.  Ivan also served as a regional adjudicator for the American College Theatre Festival for years, traveling in a multi-state area screening college and university productions, and conducting workshops in acting, directing, stage-lighting, make-up, stage-combat, and fencing.

During his years at Ridgewater, he served on numerous faculty committees and task forces, chaired local and state committees, and served on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Community and Technical College Faculty Association.  Ivan received a faculty award for Outstanding Contributions in Higher Education and the American College Theatre Festival Award of Excellence medallion.

Ivan was dedicated to advancing diversity and intercultural understanding. He introduced intercultural courses, co-founded and co-facilitated the Native American Awareness Gathering at Ridgewater, was the recipient of two certificates of appreciation from Standing Rock Sioux, and participated in field trips exposing students to a variety of cultural leaders, communities, customs, and ceremonies. He led and was actively involved in numerous committees and initiatives promoting equity during his career and retirement.

As a sideline, Ivan spent 20 years breeding and showing Arabian horses and running the family business, Double D Arabians. He was a past board member and president of the Minnesota Arabian Horse Association and spent many years officiating at horse shows as an American Horse Shows Association Steward.

Ivan retired from Ridgewater in 1999.  In 2000, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and served on that board until July of 2006.  He then served on Board of Directors of Clear Way Minnesota until 2012.

Ivan took pride in seeing his daughter, Lisa, following his example, completing her graduate degree, and teaching at Ridgewater College.  Ivan and Lisa had a cherished bond, many shared interests, and enjoyed traveling together along with their Great Dane, Georgie.

Ivan’s humor and undeniable presence will never be forgotten.  His strength, dedication, and love will forever be missed; his loving memory will be with us always.

May his soul rest at peace in God’s hands.

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