Longtime City High coach John Raffensperger passes away
Hunter
4/22/19
A legendary City High figure has passed away.
John Raffensperger is best known as one of the greatest high school track and field coaches in the state, winning ten state titles at City High before retiring in 2003. He came out of retirement and spent nine seasons a volunteer coach for the University of Iowa’s track and field teams.
He was a two-sport athlete at UNI as part of the football and track teams there and is a member of the Northern Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was named an honorary letter winner at the University of Iowa.
Raffensperger had been battling cancer for a number of years and had spent about seven weeks in the hospital before he decided he wanted to be at home, according to a Facebook post from the family on Sunday.
The family announced his passing Monday morning with this post: “Coach Raff ran his final lap this morning. Thank you for all of the kind words and love. As much as he meant to so many of you, you all meant that much to him as well. Rest in Peace Dad, we love you Coach.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
