Ackley in Hardin County
Edward R. “Ed” Uhlenhopp, 85, was killed on Friday, June 29, 2001, when the Honda moped he was driving in Ackley, Iowa, was struck by an unidentified truck that did not stop. The Iowa State Patrol and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office reported that Uhlenhopp died at the scene.
Uhlenhopp, a WWII US Army veteran, was driving southbound on Butler Street and attempting to make a left turn into a private driveway on Fourth Avenue when the truck, following closely behind the moped, made an attempt to pass on the left. The vehicles collided and the truck kept on going.
Witnesses said the truck had dual wheels.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the hit-and-run happened at about 8 a.m.
The Ackley Fire Department, Ackley Police Department and Ackley Fire and Ambulance assisted the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.
The hit-and-run of an elderly man stunned the northeast Hardin County community of just 1,800 residents. Rumors circulated that a dump truck driver — hauling dirt from Neimeyer’s Quarry north of town out to the new Highway 20 being built south of Ackley — was responsible for the hit-and-run, though it was never proven.
Courtesy photo Howard, findagrave.comEdward R. Uhlenhopp was born March 13, 1916 in Aplington to Johanna Brinkman and Riebe R. “Robert” Uhlenhopp. He attended Aplington schools.
He married Lavon May Ubben on October 31, 1950, and served in WWII with the United States Army. He had been employed by the Farmers Co-op in Ackley.
Services were held Monday, July 1, at Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley with the Rev. Michael Dack officiating. Burial was in Hitesville Cemetery at Aplington.
He was survived by a special friend, Helen Heinz of Ackley; two brothers, Charlie Uhlenhopp of Parkersburg, and Henry Uhlenhopp of Aplington; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lavon; six brothers, Chris, Harm, Jerry, Robert, Dick, and Jake; and three sisters, Maggie Conrads, Johanna Bodecker and Mary Beenken.
If you have any information regarding the hit and run death of Ed Uhlenhopp, please contact the Iowa State Patrol at (319) 277-4761 or the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 939-8189.
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