DECORAH, Iowa – The Natural Resources Commission voted on May 16 to rename the DNR’s Decorah Fish Hatchery after retired director Chuck Gipp.
The renamed Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery will be officially unveiled in a public ceremony at the fish hatchery on June 13 at 3:45 pm.
"The Natural Resource Commissioners are pleased to name the Decorah Fish Hatchery the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery to recognize and honor Chuck for his many years of public service to Iowans and for his terrific leadership in protecting Iowa's natural resources," stated Margo Underwood, Chair of the Iowa Natural Resources Commission.
“Gipp made a significant, positive impact on the DNR and this state,” said Bruce Trautman, acting-director. “The Department and this fish hatchery are and very near and dear to Chuck, and this will be a lasting legacy of the work he did to improve the DNR.”
Chuck Gipp served as the DNR director for six years before retiring on May 1. Prior to serving as director, Gipp was the deputy director of the DNR. Gipp was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1990, where he served nine consecutive terms in several different capacities, including House Majority Leader and Minority Leader. After deciding not to seek re-election, Gipp was hired by then-Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey as director of the Division of Soil Conservation for three years. Gipp retired as director of the DNR on May 1, 2018.
Gipp resides in Decorah with his wife, Ranae, They have two children and two grandchildren.