Industry Veteran Jeff McCubbin Passes Away

Longtime member of the recognition industry, Jeff McCubbin, passed away after fighting a long battle with cancer this past September. McCubbin is missed by many, including his wife of 47 years and co-owner of McCubbin Trophies & Engraving, Lee McCubbin. 

“I am learning just how much he impacted people far beyond the recognition industry and the motorcycle safety and education world,” says Lee. 

Jeff McCubbin was born November 4, 1950, as the fourth child of Max McCubbin and Muriel Burke McCubbin in Conrad, Iowa. He was known by some to drive his tractor to school during his formative years. He worked on the family farm until he married Lee in 1973. Jeff and Lee raised two daughters, Robin and Rene in Forest City, Iowa. 

Jeff was an auto mechanic by trade and worked for ARA Vending, Winnebago Industries, and fulfilled a life-long dream of starting his own business, McCubbin Trophies & Engraving with Lee. 

In addition, he was a motorcycle enthusiast and motorcycle teacher. Jeff spent 30 years with Rider Education and Abate of Iowa District 7. He held many leadership roles, established Freedom Park in Algona, Iowa, and was influential in philanthropic efforts that benefitted a variety of local individuals and agencies. 

In addition to Lee, Jeff is survived by his siblings Jean, Jay, Jane, and Heidi, and daughters Robin and Rene, along with seven grandchildren. 

“He enjoyed tinkering under the hood of a car, camping at Freedom Park with his many close friends, and opening up the throttle on his 1981 Sturgis Classic Double Belt Drive Harley Davidson,” says daughter Robin in a Facebook post. “He also loved riding his tractor around his acreage and the satisfaction of cracking open a cold beer. 

“He was a colorful story-teller and famously recounted the night he unknowingly sat around the campfire with Willy G Davidson on one of his many trips to Sturgis,” she adds. 

A celebration of his life, “Jeff’s Last Ride,” took place on Saturday, September 28 near his home in Iowa. The family asks that memorial donations be made to Hospice of North Iowa or ABATE District 7 Food Pantry.