Iowa State Representative Greg Forristall (R-Macedonia) died Wednesday afternoon after an undisclosed battle with cancer. He was 67-years-old.
Forristall was born in Council Bluffs in 1950 and grew up on his family farm outside of Macedonia. He graduated from Carson-Macedonia High School in 1968 and later earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music from the University of Iowa. Forristall married his wife, Carol, in 1978, and they lived in Macedonia where she taught music for 35 years, and he continued farming, as well as, worked in financial services and information technology industries.
Forristall was involved in organizations such as the Council Bluffs Sister Cities, Farm Bureau, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Western Community College Board. He has been a member of the United States Grain Council and has served on the Iowa State Board of Education, the Iowa Western Community College Board, and the Iowa Community College Council.
Forristall was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2006 serving Iowa House District 98 and then Iowa House District 22 after redistricting in 2013. Most recently Forristall served as Vice Chair on the House Education Committee. He also served on the House Labor, Human Resources, and Ways and Means Committees.
He is survived by his wife, Carol. They have no children.
“Our hearts are heavy today with the passing of Rep. Greg Forristall, who fought courageously during his battle with cancer. He was a dedicated public servant to the people he represented and an advocate for the arts and education, two issues that he was incredibly passionate for. He will be sorely missed,” House Speaker Linda Upmeyer said in a released statement. “We send our thoughts and prayers to Greg’s family and friends, but especially to his wife, Carol. Carol served alongside Greg for many years in the House as his clerk and is a fellow member of the House Republican family.”
“Greg Forristall was not only a friend to southwest Iowa and his constituents, he was a friend to conservatives across our state. In the tradition of Ronald Reagan, Greg was a “happy warrior” – after hearing from his constituents, he’d plant his feet and stand firm for what was best for them and their families,” Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann noted. “I served with Greg for six years in the Iowa House and my fond memories of friendship and my respect for Representative Forristall will never diminish.”
“I was sorry to hear about Greg Forristall’s passing today. Greg bravely fought cancer for months while going above and beyond to fulfill his legislative duties and serve his constituents in western Iowa. He was an outstanding legislator and will be greatly missed. Carol and the Forristall family are in our thoughts and prayers,” Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said.
“Greg was a passionate legislator who served as Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and also served on the House Labor Committee,” Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds stated. “For 11 years, he fought hard for children’s education, job growth and protecting Iowa’s small businesses. Kevin and I want to extend our prayers to Carol and the Forristall family during this difficult time.”
Governor’s Branstad’s office said that a special election in Iowa House District 22 will be set at a later date.