Photo: University of Iowa
(Undated) -- Iowa businessman and philanthropist John Pappajohn has died at the age of 94 in his home in Naples, Florida. A tribute published by his alma mater, the University of Iowa describes Pappajohn as one of the nation's earliest and most successful venture capitalists, known for shrewd business instincts and his legendary work ethic. Pappajohn worked well into his 90s.
Pappajohn and late wife Mary donated to philanthropic causes around the world, especially to higher education and the arts.
In 1993, the Pappajohn Business Building, home of the Henry B. Tippie College of Business and one of the UI’s largest academic buildings opened thanks to his naming gift. The campus landmark houses the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, one of five innovation incubators he established at Iowa colleges and universities in 1996.
Pappajohn's financial gifts led to the 1991 construction of Pappajohn Pavilion at UI Hospitals & Clinics. The John and Mary Pappajohn Clinical Cancer Center debuted two years later as part of Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. The couple cut the ribbon on the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building and the Pappajohn Biomedical Institute in 2014.
The Pappajohns established numerous UI scholarship and faculty funds, and John was a dedicated member of several university boards and committees.
The four-acre, $30 million Pappajohn Sculpture Park opened in 2009 in Des Moines.