Alton Bruce Chrystal

Al was born April 23, 1926, near Ryan, Iowa, to Frank and Aola (Burnside) Chrystal. He attended elementary and high school in Manchester.

At 18, he joined the Navy, serving as a radio operator during WWII. He was assigned to the USS Catamount, an amphibious ship charged with landing men and equipment in the Pacific region. The Catamount was in Tokyo Bay when Japan surrendered. He had awe in his voice when he spoke about standing on the deck, watching as representatives from Japan and the Allies signed the documents that ended the war.

In 1952, he joined the Iowa State Patrol in Davenport. The job was a perfect fit for him, and he loved and took pride in his career. Al had countless stories of his adventures on the Patrol, some exciting, some hilarious, and some harrowing. He provided security for every US president from Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan, as well as former presidents, candidates, prominent journalists, and celebrities appearing at the Iowa State Fair. He was especially proud of managing security for Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Iowa in 1979.

After retiring as assistant chief of the Patrol in 1981, he took on a new challenge as director of the Driver's License Division for the Iowa DOT, retiring “for real” in 1991.

In Davenport, Al met his true love, Joyce Wicks. They married May 17, 1954, and celebrated by attending a performance by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. In 1966, a promotion brought them to Des Moines. Later they lived in Johnston for several years.

Al and Joyce were a great match, and lived a full life focused on family. They were devoted to their daughter, Karen, and their son, James, and enjoyed many family camping trips, games, and general good times.

After Al’s retirement, they delighted in traveling around the country in their motorhome with their little dog, Lexi, although they had grandsons by then and never stayed away too long. Al and Joyce had nearly 54 wonderful years together until her death in 2008.

Al’s childhood was challenging, and he was only two years old when his own father died. Nevertheless, he was a genuinely positive person who always focused on bright side. He adored his wife and kids, and he loved his three brothers and his mom, as well as his nieces and nephews. He was crazy about his three grandsons and greatly enjoyed spending time with them and keeping up with their lives.

Al passed just short of his 100th birthday. His loved ones feel blessed to have had so much time with him, but he will be truly missed.

Al is survived by his daughter, Karen Chrystal; son-in-law, Michael Kuehn; daughter-in-law, Yolanda Chrystal; and grandsons Nicholas Kuehn, Alec Kuehn, and Cole Chrystal. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce, and his beloved son, James.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, at Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 West 1st Street in Ankeny.

Al’s memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, also at Ankeny Funeral Home.