Iowa City loses iconic banker

Northwestern Financial Review, Mar 15-Mar 31, 2003

Clark "Bud" Houghton, longtime president and CEO of First National Bank, Iowa City, passed away in Iowa City on January 8. He was 79.

The Iowa City Press-- Citizen called Houghton a local icon. His friends remember him as a hardworking, generous man who inspired those around him.

Bob Sierk succeeded Houghton as First National's president and CEO. Houghton hired him as a part-time bank teller in 1961. "Clark created a banking culture that encouraged us to reach out and give back to the community," Sierk said. "And he always stressed that we were to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to us from our customers."

Houghton was born in Red Oak, Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Iowa. He served in the U.S. Navy for three and one-half years, participated in the amphibious landing on D-Day at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, and served in the Pacific Theatre.

Houghton began working at First National Bank, Iowa City, in 1949 as assistant cashier and served as president and CEO from 1959 until his retirement in 1990. He held numerous leadership roles in his community, at the University of Iowa and various banking organizations. He served as treasurer of the Iowa Bankers Association and chairman of the committee that established the Iowa School of Banking. He is survived by his wife, Joan, his four children, and their families.