Jack Cosgrove

Jack Cosgrove ('56 electrical engineering, Iowa State University) was born in Cedar Rapids, spent his entire career in Cedar Rapids and retired in Cedar Rapids. Cosgrove went to work for Collins Radio Company after graduating from Iowa State, and he advanced rapidly with the company. Collins was purchased by Rockwell International in 1973, and in 1975 Cosgrove became vice president and general manager of Rockwell's Defense Division. In 1996, he was named president and CEO of Rockwell Collins and senior vice president of Rockwell. He retired in 1999, He was a Governor of the ISU Foundation, and past director and secretary of the Foundation Board. He and his wife, Dilla, were volunteer leaders of Iowa State's Campaign Destiny in the 1990s and they are life members of the ISU Alumni Association. Their four children are graduates of Iowa State, and in 1986 Jack and Dilla were named ISU Parents of the Year. They were named Cy's Favorite Alums in 1996, and Jack received the Alumni Association's Distinguished Achievement Citation in 1987. Cosgrove was vice chair of the Mercy Medical Center Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Mercy Hospice House capital campaign, and he served on the United Way of East Central Iowa board. He recently retired from the boards of Brucemore national historic site and Cedar Rapids Country Club. The Cosgroves have four children: Kelly ('81 sociology), Jill Cosgrove Von Ebers ('82 nutrition studies), Tracey ('86 industrial engineering) and Patrick ('91 mechanical engineering).