Salvatore Louis LoBianco

SALVATORE LOUIS LOBIANCO

July 16, 1955 – September 16, 2024

Salvatore (Sal) Louis LoBianco, age 69, of Muscatine, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Sal is survived by his wife, Stephanie LoBianco, who was the love of his life. He is also survived by his daughters, Maggie (Matthew) Becker-LoBianco and Rachel (Adam Jones) LoBianco; and his son, Thomas (Kaylynn Salyars) LoBianco.

He was preceded in death by and reunites in eternal paradise with his parents, Rose and Charles LoBianco; brother, Louis LoBianco; and a 1969 Road Runner.

Sal was born in Muscatine on July 16, 1955. He lived in Muscatine all his life. He grew up on Iowa Avenue with the “Iowa Avenue Gang”’, all of whom are still friends today and up until recently met for lunch often. Sal graduated from Muscatine High School in 1973. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State (1977) and Master of Business Administration from St. Ambrose University (1988).

Sal’s first job out of college was at Kloster Associates, Inc in Muscatine as a Project/Design Engineer. Sal joined Muscatine Power & Water in 1980 as a Mechanical Engineer at the Generation Plant and, in 1992, was promoted to Plant Manager. While at the Generation Plant, Sal was responsible for the successful construction and startup of Unit 9 – MPW’s newest coal fire generating facility, which is still the most important staple in Muscatine’s power supply. In 1996 Sal became the acting Manager of Engineering and Construction, leading him to becoming the Director of the Telecommunications Utility. He was an integral part of the creation and implementation of the MPW Communications Utility where he led the project that would provide affordable, local Cable TV and high-speed cable modem internet services to Muscatine, earning himself the title of “Father of the MPW Communications Utility” and establishing MPW as one of the largest municipal communications utilities in the state of Iowa. Sal became General Manager of MPW in 2009. During this part of his career, he continued to drive historic-level projects for the utility including the diversification of power supply by securing South Fork Wind PPA (the first renewable energy supply for MPW), expansion of the Grandview Ave Wellfield and initiation of the investment in Muscatine’s future by pursuing the Fiber to the Home Project. Sal retired as General Manager from MPW in 2019 after nearly four decades of service at MPW. Sal demonstrated his sincere commitment to both MPW and the Muscatine Community his entire career at MPW, always reminding MPW employees that an excellent customer experience was the most important part of their jobs. Sal was also a proud member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Society of Automotive Engineers.

Sal was a firm believer in and active supporter of the Muscatine community. He served on many boards and committees, including CBI Bank and Trust, Muscatine Salvation Army, Muscatine United Way, and The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce just to name a few, and enjoyed participating in Rotary Club and 33 Club. Sal was also one of the original investors in the Button Factory Woodfire Grill and helped to renovate the historic building that now houses The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine.

Sal enjoyed staying busy, participating in a variety of activities throughout his life, even into retirement. Some of his favorites were spending time with his family, walking his dogs (Niblet and Rosso), playing golf, serving the Muscatine community, participating in Lemons 24 Hour Race, restoring the John Deere tractor he acquired from the lumber mart during one of his many early career jobs, and being a Director/Owner of a few “hobby businesses” to keep his business skills intact.

Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to the exceptional staff at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Medical Intensive Care Unit and Stem Cell Floor Unit for their care of Sal and to the extraordinary team at MedForce and Muscatine Fire for their generous and compassionate assistance in transporting Sal home.

Friends can visit with the family on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 6-9pm at Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home in Muscatine, Iowa. Rosary will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 10am at the funeral home followed by the Funeral Mass at 11am at Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Rite of Committal will be at Saint Mary’s Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow at Gannon Hall.

Memorial donations can be to Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic Church or to Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine which distributes to various local Muscatine charities in honor of the legendary Sal LoBianco.

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