Hawkeye Ironman Passes Away

March 20, 2011

IOWA CITY, Iowa — George “Red” Frye, a member of the famed 1939 University of Iowa football team nicknamed “The Ironmen,” has passed away. He was 91 years old.

Frye, who earned his degree from the UI, was born and lived most of his life in Albia, Iowa.

A visitation will be held at the Sinnott-Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Albia on Monday from 1 to 8 p.m. with family of Frye present from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m.,Tuesday, at the First Christian Church in Albia.

Frye’s passing leaves only one living member of the ’39 UI football team. Henry Vollenweider, currently 89 years old, was a sophomore on the team that featured 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick as the leader of a Hawkeye team that won the hearts of the nation en route to a 6-1-1 saeson under Coach Eddie Anderson.