Welton Ideker Regents
Ron Ideker speaks very proudly about his father, Welton, who built the family business from the ground up. Though he passed away in 1986, Welton Ideker certainly left a legacy for his family, as well as Northwest. Welton Ideker grew up in northwest Missouri near the small town of Craig. After marring Dolores Swan, Welton started doing custom farming and later started an International Harvester dealership in Mound City. In 1946, though still actively farming, he founded a Ford-Mercury franchise, also in Mound City. It wasn't long after that Welton started dabbling in construction, and out of that was born Ideker Inc. Later, the Idekers' two sons, Ron and Roger, joined the family business.
More than 50 years later, the company has grown into a Midwest leader that now specializes in highway grading, bridge construction, concrete paving and quarry operations. A third generation of Idekers has also started learning the ropes of the family business. Though the company headquarters is in St. Joseph, the Idekers still keep their roots in Mound City and Northwest.
As a member of the Northwest's Board of Regents from 1977 to 1983, Welton was instrumental in some improvements that can still be felt on campus today.
Ron, a member of Northwest's class of 1962, has continued his father's legacy of being involved in a leadership capacity with the University through his service on the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors. He has also served on the Centennial Committee and the Stadium Fund-raising Committee.
Scholarships associated with Welton Ideker Regents