Frederick J Stines

He is survived by his daughter Ann of Granger (Frank Manning) and son Scott, wife Tammy and two granddaughters, Ellen (Pompano Beach) and Lauren (Portland). He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, the mother of his children, and his son Steven Michael.

Frederick Junior Stines was born March 16, 1925 in Newton, Iowa. He was the only son of Nella and Fred Stines, Newton contractor and entrepreneur. He completed his freshman year at the University of Iowa prior to joining the U.S. Army. During World War II he served with the 102nd (Ozark) Infantry Division in Europe.

On his return to Iowa, he completed his college education in 1949 during which he was an involved member of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity. He served as president of his chapter, president of the Iowa Interfraternity Council and other campus organizations. He sustained his interest in the Fraternity throughout his life always championing and supporting the cause of his chapter in Iowa City.

Stines was hired by the Meredith Corporation six months prior to college graduation. He began his 40-year career with Meredith as a sales trainee with Successful Farming magazine. He became Publisher of the farm publication in 1966. During his years with the farm magazine, he was named Farm Marketing Man of the Year in 1972 by the National Agri-Marketing Association. He served as National Chairman of the Future Farmers of America in 1982. Stines led Meredith’s entry into private label publishing with the creation of Meredith Publishing Services. He was general manager of Meredith Newspapers in California and New Mexico. In 1982 he became general manager of the Better Homes & Gardens Book Group and was named president in 1985.

Through life Stines was involved with several business and community organizations. He served as a board member of Homesteader’s Life Insurance Company and was a member of the downtown Rotary Club of Des Moines. He was a certified instructor in the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course.

Stines was an involved member of Des Moines Golf & Country Club serving as club president in 1981 as well as president of the club’s Educational Foundation for several years.

Special thanks to the staff at Deerfield Retirement Community for providing exceptional care during the last two years of Fred’s life, as well as Suncrest Hospice, for their compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to DMGCC Educational Foundation. c/o Des Moines Golf & Country Club, 1600 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266.