Chad Micheal Highland was born July 7, 1973, to Steve and Kathy Highland and joined his older brother Kevin. Nevada, IA was home for Chad, where he was baptized and confirmed at Memorial Lutheran Church, and graduated from Nevada High School in 1991.

After graduation, Chad attended Northern Iowa Area Community College on a football scholarship. In 1993, he proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, committing to a 4-year term. As a Corporal, he served as a telephone technician and participated in Desert Storm. Upon his honorable discharge, he was awarded the rifle marksmanship badge, the national defense service medal, and the good conduct medal. Shortly after, Chad returned to Nevada and welcomed his first daughter Madilyn in 1998, and Eden in 2001.

The legacy of Chad began by being named junior firefighter 1976, and honored by being crown bearer for the Nevada High School Homecoming royal court of '78. While Chad was in High School, he lettered in football, wrestling and baseball, and spent his summers detasseling and roguing corn for Frank McLain in Nevada. In 1997, he began working for Automatic Systems in Ames as an electrical engineer, and was there for 27 years. In early 2024, Chad started a new adventure owning and running his own bar, Starlite Lounge, in Colo.

During his career, he spent his free time coaching both his daughter's softball teams and his youngest daughter in wrestling. Chad continued his love for football by volunteering to coach at Nevada High School, and was head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Pittsburgh Steelers every weekend while pacing in his living room. He is remembered by all his players not only as a coach, but a mentor and lifelong friend.

Those surviving Chad are his daughters Madilyn and Eden, brother Kevin (Paul), and mother Kathy. Aunts Kari (Lynn) Tevepaugh, Peg Highland, Beth Highland, Julie Highland, and many cousins.

He is preceded in death by father Steve Highland, grandparents Wilma and Olaf Highland, Claudine Brown and Arthur Evans. Great grandparents Blanche and Claude Pittman, Art and Ida Evans and Cecile Rasmussen. Great great grandmother Carrie Erickson. Uncles Thor and Charley Highland. Great aunts Donna Pittman and Mary Evans. Great aunt and uncle Cleo and Jo Rasmussen. Cousins Matthew and Joey Highland.

We all have learned many life lessons from having Chad in our lives.

Celebration of life for Chad will be held Saturday, October 26th at Gates Memorial Hall (825 15th St) in Nevada. Visitation will begin at 1:30 pm, with a memorial service to follow at 3:00 pm.