John Raffensperger Passes

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa volunteer assistant coach John Raffensperger, a long-time Iowa high school educator and Hall of Fame track and field coach, died Monday at his home in Iowa City.

The man known to many as “Raff” is regarded as one of the greatest high school track and field coaches in the state of Iowa. As head coach of Iowa City High School, he became the first coach to win 10 Iowa high school state championships. He was elected to the Iowa Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 and retired in 2003. Iowa City High’s track has since been named John Raffensperger Track.

Raff returned to the track in 2007, joining the Hawkeye program with former prep standout and current Iowa head coach Joey Woody. The 2019 season was his 13th on the Hawkeye coaching staff.

Raff worked on the Iowa football and basketball statistical crews for 50 years. In 2012, he was named an honorary letterwinner at the University of Iowa. His father, Leonard Raffensperger, was Iowa football head coach from 1950-51.

He and his wife, Sharon, were married more than 50 years and lived in Iowa City. The have two sons and three grandchildren.

A visitation is scheduled for Sunday at Iowa City High School. Funeral services are Monday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Further details are available at lensingfuneral.com.

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