Albert “Sparky” C. Duroe ’67
Jesup, Iowa

With a successful career in banking, it’s no surprise that Albert “Sparky” Duroe is known for his financial investments, but it’s his investments in his community and the next generation that have yielded the most return in his life.

Duroe attended Wartburg College for two years in the mid-1960s, then went to Iowa State University to earn his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. While starting his career at Farmers State Bank in Waterloo, he continued his education with graduate courses at the University of Northern Iowa. In 1970, he became CEO of Farmers State Bank and two years later purchased a controlling interest. Under Duroe’s leadership, the bank merged with State Bank of Fayette in 1979, and he led the organization through the turbulent years of the farm crisis in the 1980s. Farmers State would grow to over $850 million in assets and 10 branches before Duroe retired and turned the company over to the next generation. “He helped build Farmers State Bank into one of the region’s top financial institutions, and it continues to embody the values of community and philanthropic service that Sparky instilled and inspired during his 24-year career as CEO,” wrote his nominator.

Over the years, Duroe has invested in rural communities as a past president of the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the Jesup Economic Development Foundation. His most extensive deposit of time and energy has been with the Boy Scouts of America, from leading his local troop to being president of the Winnebago Council board, leading the way as a fundraiser and recruiter. With a heart for helping youth, Duroe then served as president of Area 1 and Area 7 of the Boy Scouts organization, helping with operational and budget decisions for several states.

He also continued investing in his own education. Duroe attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1970s, then became a Harvard man by finishing the Small Company Management Program there in 1980. He has been an ardent supporter of Wartburg College for decades, serving on the board of trustees, supporting scholarships and many other projects, and personally recruiting future Knights.

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1975, Duroe was recognized as the Outstanding Reservist for the state of Iowa during the Vietnam War period. He is also part of the American Legion Honor Guard in Jesup and actively supports the work of his local church.

“Sparky has been a builder of youth, banks, and communities. He is a great community innovator who uses his physical and fiscal resources for the betterment of all,” wrote another nominator.