Some stories begin with policy. This one begins with family.
Bill Stumpf has spent his life working hard, caring for others, and showing up for the people he loves. He built his career the old-fashioned way — first with 30 years in paper manufacturing as a proud member of United Steelworkers Local 1861U, and later by returning to school, graduating from Northeast Iowa Community College, and becoming a licensed practical nurse.
He spent 15 years working at an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities before retiring in 2021. Along the way, he built a full family life, too: two daughters, one son, their spouses, and a growing group of grandchildren — two granddaughters and five grandsons.
Like so many parents, Bill’s life changed when his son came into the world. Kyle was born with Down syndrome, and not long after, Bill became active in disability advocacy. What started with love for his son grew into years of work with local, state, and national organizations focused on disability rights, voting access, healthcare reform, guardianship issues, and competitive integrated employment.
Kyle’s Story
Kyle grew up in Dubuque, graduated from Hempstead High School in 2009, and stayed closely connected to his family — including two sisters and seven nieces and nephews he sees regularly. After high school, he entered a sheltered work setting where he was paid sub-minimum wage in a segregated environment. He worked there for about four years.
Then, in 2014, things changed.
Kyle was hired at Papa John’s in Dubuque, where he has now worked for eleven years. More recently, he also began working at Pizza Ranch. He loves his jobs. He earns above minimum wage and has been saving money in his ABLE (Achieving Better Life Experiences) account for future independence and financial security.
That part of the story matters. It’s not just about employment. It’s about what happens when someone is given a real chance — to work, to contribute, to build a future, and to be part of community life in the way everyone deserves.
Kyle’s life is full of community.
On weekdays while not working, Kyle attends a Day Habilitation Program at Hills and Dales in Dubuque. This program allows him to volunteer at many local organizations, including the Public Library. In 2008, Kyle received the Hills and Dales Community Services Honor Award.
He became active in Dubuque’s Miracle League in 2021, and in 2022 was selected to represent the local league at the Miracle League National All Star Series in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
During the lead up to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses he attended many presidential candidate events with Bill, telling his story and encouraging candidates to support disability rights — especially competitive integrated employment. In October 2019, Kyle participated in a legislative briefing in Washington, D.C. to tell his story and advocate to end the practice of paying sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities.
Dedicated to Progress
Together, Bill and Kyle became advocates not just for themselves, but for others. They have spent their lives pushing for inclusion and disability rights.
Bill has been active with numerous local, state, and national organizations over the years, including Family Voices, the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights Iowa, the Association for People Supporting Employment First (APSE), the Iowa Guardianship Conservatorship Association, the Iowa Coalition for Integration and Employment, and the National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition.
In 2019, he received the Iowa APSE Advocacy Award. In 2020, he received National APSE’s Public Policy Award for his grassroots support of the Employment First movement. And in 2019, he was honored by the Dubuque County Democrats with the Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award.
But what stands out most is not the awards. It’s a lifetime dedicated to advocacy.
It’s a reminder that advocacy doesn’t always begin in a hearing room or on a stage. Sometimes it begins at home — around a kitchen table, in the everyday work of caring for one another, and in the decision to believe that your family, and every family, deserves dignity and opportunity.
That’s what Bill and Kyle Stumpf have given this community.
And that’s why we’re proud to honor them with the Tom Harkin Award for Freedom, Justice, and Equality at the 2026 Hall of Fame celebration.
If you’d like to honor Bill and Kyle’s legacy, please consider making a tribute gift in their name to support the Dubuque County Democrats and the work of building a more inclusive future.