Hall of Honor Recipient

Karl W. Wagner
Class of 1944
Inducted in 1995-96

Karl W. Wagner graduated from Davenport High School in 1944. After graduation from Augustana College, he worked as a writer for Sports Editor, John O’Donnell, at the old Davenport Democrat. In 1950, Karl became the fourth generation to work in the family’s printing business. His great-grandfather, a German immigrant, had founded Wagner’s Printery in 1879 in downtown Davenport. Printing stationery, business cards and advertising flyers, Herman Wagner originally employed a hand-fed press and a single case of type. Artwork was hand-carved from wooden blocks for use on the press. Shortly before Karl joined the business, Wagner’s went into litho offset, and during Karl’s early years most of the work consisted of advertising and school yearbooks, all in black and white.

Karl W. worked in various capacities for Wagner’s, moving his way up in the company hierarchy. Before working full-time, Karl delivered printing in his uncle’s 1937 Oldsmobile. His real career began in the pre-press department, in the composing room and the prep and scheduling area. He became litho supervisor as well as production manager before taking over as President in the mid 1960’s. His forty-plus years with the company witnessed great changes in the industry. First, two-color printing appeared on the scene, as color hit the television and newspaper industries. The second color was used by advertisers as a kind of trademark. Then, still in the 1950’s, four-color printing was introduced with Wagner’s as the first in the area to offer it in-house. One color a day was added, as a day was needed for drying. In the 1960’s, Wagner’s Printers expanded to include a Cedar Rapids plant and moved its Davenport business from downtown out to Kimberly Road. The company grew to include business from coast to coast, and by the time Karl retired in 1991, almost all the printing work was done in four, five or six colors. In four generations, Wagner’s Printers had become one of the largest commercial printing operations in Iowa.

Not only the successful head of his own company, Karl was also the recipient of many honors within the broader industry. He was board member of Printing Industries of American, the National Association of Printers and Lithographers, Graphic Arts Technology, Creative Printers of American, as well as of Master Printers of America (MPA). Prior to retirement, Karl served for two years as Chairman of the Board of MPA, and received their Distinguished Service Award for his fifteen years on the Board. MPA represents 8,500 US printing companies, providing them with insurance, educational programs and publications. In 1982, Karl received the Elmer G. Voight Education Award. In memory of his family, Karl and his wife, Thelma, instituted a scholarship in the Graphic Arts field for the children and grandchildren of Wagner employees.

In retirement, Karl takes an active part in his community. He has served on the Board of the Salvation Army, is a member of Kiwanis Club, and helped out with the establishment of the Quad City Development Group. He is active in Zion Lutheran Church, sponsors foreign exchange students in his home and provides scholarships for foreign students as well.


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Hall of Honor Recipient

Karl W. Wagner Class of 1944 Inducted in 1995-96

Karl W. Wagner
Class of 1944
Inducted in 1995-96