DES MOINES, Iowa — William P. Angrick, 80, Iowa’s longest-serving ombudsman, has died in Florida. Angrick led the Iowa Ombudsman’s office for more than three decades and was widely credited with strengthening government accountability and transparency in the state.
- Fast Facts
- Served as Iowa Ombudsman from 1978 to 2010
- Oversaw responses to nearly 150,000 citizen complaints
- Former political science professor at Drake University
The Legacy
William P. Angrick transformed the ombudsman’s office into a trusted public watchdog. His top achievements include:
- Institutionalizing oversight: Under Angrick’s leadership (1978–2010) the office handled almost 150,000 complaints, creating procedures and standards that endure today.
- Investigative reporting: He produced influential reports on police misconduct and prison deaths that pushed agencies toward greater transparency and policy change.
- Public engagement and reform: A former Drake University political science professor, Angrick emphasized accessibility, expanding public outreach and taking steps to address inmate grievances directly.
Angrick regularly framed his work around a simple ethic: “Accountability is the crux of representative democracy.” That philosophy guided his three-decade tenure and shaped how oversight is practiced in Iowa.
Social Proof: Reactions and Tributes
Current Iowa Ombudsman Bernardo Granwehr called Angrick a mentor and ambassador for the profession, saying, “Bill Angrick mentored untold numbers of ombudsmen to solve problems with tact, fairness, and integrity.” Colleagues and former students at Drake University also praised his academic rigor and ethical leadership. Local officials and advocates highlighted his persistence in bringing attention to difficult issues — from police conduct to conditions behind bars — and credited him with making the government more accountable to citizens.
Details about memorial services have not been released. For now, public servants, former colleagues and citizens in Iowa are reflecting on a career that reshaped oversight and accountability across the state.
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