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Colonel Paul Ladd, former Navy ROTC Commanding Officer, professor and chair of the Department of Naval Science, died after a biking accident on Monday morning.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at the First Evangelical Free Church, 1407 Kate Shelley Drive in Boone, with Pastor Lee Hotchkiss officiating.

Full Military Honors will be conducted by the Boone Veterans Council and the United States Marine Honor Guard at the Veterans Monument and United States Flag in Linwood Park Cemetery of Boone.

Burial will be at a later date.

Ladd was a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, the Florida Institute of Technology, and the Naval War College. His final active duty position was Naval ROTC Commander at Iowa State University. COL Ladd retired on April 30, 2004.

“Colonel Ladd was a dedicated Marine who deeply cared about the Midshipmen, Sailors and Marines enrolled at Iowa State,” said Commander Bob Hoffer, who served at Iowa State with Ladd. “He felt his priority was to attract the best and brightest to Iowa State and give them a solid foundation to become officers in the naval service and future leaders of our nation. Under his leadership, the NROTC Unit at Iowa State increased enrollment by 61% over the previous twelve years. His legacy will be felt for years as his graduates continue to successfully serve in and out of uniform.”

After retirement from the Marine Corps, Paul accepted the position of Director of Veterans Affairs for Boone County in 2005.

Colonel Ladd’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.