Corky Kress Golf Scholarship

An Outgoing Fellow
Craig A. “Corky” Kress was born on November 17, 1942 in Waterloo, IA. He attended Waterloo West High School and graduated from the University of Iowa, where he majored in Psychology and minored in Music.

After graduation, Corky was hired by Deere and Company in Waterloo and served as the factory’s Industrial Relationship Manager. He held several positions at John Deere throughout his lifetime. With 37 years of service in the IR department, Corky played a major role in contract negotiations and had many friends in the Deere family.

Corky met and fell in love with his wife, Sheryl while working at Deere and they were married on September 28, 1968. They have two children, Bryan and Steffany.

Corky was a fun and outgoing man. He was very involved in outdoor activities such as fishing and golfing, and is best known for ending parties and wedding receptions by playing “Johnny B. Goode” on the piano.

An Active Member of the QC Community
Corky played a dynamic role in the Quad City community. He enjoyed his work as Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Davenport. He sat on the Board of Directors of Quad City Area Labor Management and co-chaired the organization’s annual golf outing for many years. He also sat on Work is America Board of Directors and mentored many new employees at John Deere.

It is hard to forget a name like Corky Kress and few ever did. The Corky Kress Golf Scholarship Fund helps high school golfers with their college costs. Eligible recipients must be a graduating senior from Waterloo West High School, Waterloo, Iowa; Davenport North High School; United Township High School; or Bettendorf High School.