Joe Reutter was a kind, honest and patient man. He received degrees in industrial education and geotechnical engineering from Iowa State University. He was also a Christmas tree grower. Christ was the center of his life. Family devotions, prayer before meals and prayer for grandchildren were important. Helping grandchildren and encouraging love for science was a passion. His interests included helping with Children's Ministry at church on Wednesday nights, astronomy, amateur radio, Lions club, toastmasters, Ames garden club, antique autos/tractors and the environment. He was one of the first farmers in Boone county to install a bioreactor. A memorial fund to send a child to church camp has been set up at Heartland Baptist Chuch.