Dr. John D. Baskerville, 52, of 1022 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa, died Tuesday, March 3, 2015m at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital of natural causes. He was born April 21, 1962, in Waterloo, son of Lester Beaman and Clarissa Baskerville-Beaman. He married Hiltje Christine Vierow on May 26, 1984, in Waterloo.
John graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1980; earned an associate's degree in music from Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Falls; and a bachelor's degree in music education and performance and secondary education from Tarkio College, Tarkio, Missouri, where he served as a staff assistant in the department of music and as assistant director of student services. He earned a master's degree in African-American world studies and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in American studies from the University of lowa, where he also served as a graduate instructor and lecturer for the African-American World Studies Program.
He most recently served as an associate professor of history at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. He also served as co-host of the radio program "Community Rhythms" for KBBG, 88.1 FM and was president of the African-American Historical and Cultural Museum from 1996 to 1999. He also worked as a professional musician for more than thirty years and performed with various bands in the Midwest, most recently with Checker and the Bluetones of Cedar Falls.
Survived by: his wife; two daughters, Marissa Lena and Aja Rose, both of Waterloo; two sisters, Julie E. (Michael) Baskerville Thomas and Evelyn (Robert) DeKoster, both of Waterloo-Cedar Falls; a brother, Brian R. (Sandi) Long of Webster City; a stepbrother, Lester E. (Dolores) Beaman, Jr., of Waterloo; and a stepsister, Ethel (Charles) Taylor of Florida. Preceded in death by: his stepfather; his mother; his biological father; and his maternal grandparents, Walden and Lena Baskerville.
There will be no services of any kind, at the request of the deceased. His body will be cremated following organ and tissue donation, with ashes to be spread along the Iowa River next to the University of Iowa campus.
Memorials: can be directed to the family at 1022 Logan Avenue, Waterloo 50703.
Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded March 9, 2015.