Drew Robert TillotsonWindsor HeightsDrew Robert Tillotson, 86, died of lung cancer on June 28, 2017. Drew was born on July 2, 1930, and grew up in Des Moines with his parents and older sister, Janet Tillotson. At Warren Harding Jr. High he was the president of the Student Council, and at North High School he lettered in football and basketball, graduating in 1948. Drew was working toward a bachelor's degree in accounting at Drake University when the Korean War interrupted his college studies; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for two years. He received an NROTC scholarship (only 500 were accepted out of 10,000 applications) and graduated first in his class. Drew was commissioned as an Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve. He continued in the Naval Reserve for 30 years and attained the rank of Captain, one of his proudest achievements. In 1952 Drew entered the University of Nebraska College of Law, where he served as president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He transferred to Drake University Law School in 1953, where he served as president of the Student Bar Association and was awarded Order of the Coif for placing in the top 10 percent of his class.After graduating from law school, Drew was a trial attorney for the Internal Revenue Service in Omaha and Kansas City until his entry into private law practice in 1959 in Des Moines. In 1960 he met Karla Baur on a blind date, whom he married in 1961. They moved to Windsor Heights soon after and resided there for more than 50 years, raising their family. They later became snowbirds and enjoyed spending winters at their second home in Scottsdale, Arizona.Drew was founder and head of the tax department at Nyemaster Goode Law Firm. He continued there until his retirement in 1998. Serving his clients was fulfilling work, but he often joked that "practicing law takes the sting out of death." He wrote numerous articles on taxation and was the author of The Better Homes & Gardens Income Tax Guide for eight years. Several of Drew's childhood interests developed into lifelong passions. As a child, reading Joseph Altsheler's novels about the Civil War led to a serious interest in that subject. His great-grandfather and four great-uncles served in the Union Army, and all survived the war. Drew was a longtime member of the Civil War Round Table and the author of the article "The Scott Brothers" in Blue and Grey magazine.Growing up on the north side of Des Moines with its many brick streets and a brickyard inspired Drew to start collecting marked "pavers," and he eventually amassed thousands. He paved the driveway, garden paths and anywhere else Karla allowed with bricks, and many had an interesting story that he loved to share. Together they traveled to brick swaps across the country and added prized pavers to his collection. Drew donated 5,000 marked bricks to the Windsor Heights Community Center in Colby Park, where they are a prominent part of the building's architecture.Hearing family stories as a child led Drew to pursue genealogy as a pastime. He spent many an afternoon at the Iowa State Historical Society searching for clues to his family lineage. Des Moines history was another interest, and he recently wrote a series of articles for The Des Moines Register about the city parks are named after. One of Drew's other hobbies was collecting classic cars. Over the years, he owned twelve 1941 Cadillac convertibles, along with other makes and models, and was a member of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club.Drew's community involvement included serving as first chairman of the Windsor Heights Zoning Board of Adjustment and member of the Taxation Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association. Additionally, Drew and Karla won the Windsor Heights Most Beautiful Yard Contest in 2007, a well-deserved honor. Drew was an avid sailor, a rarity in Iowa. He owned a 22-foot O'Day and could be found at Saylorville Lake most weekends, trying to get the "rail in the water". When the wind was light and variable, he went biking on his Cannondale, a pastime he enjoyed until the age of 85. Drew and Karla are the parents of three children: Carole of Windsor Heights; Curt (Kim) of St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Laura (Alex Mamantov) of Chicago, Illinois. They have nine grandchildren. Drew enjoyed spending time with his family - golfing, playing cards and letting the grandchildren drive the convertible around the block.Drew was a loving husband, devoted dad and grandad, skilled storyteller and relentless punster who found pleasure in everyday life. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, who are heeding his advice "not to take any wooden nickels."Memorials may be sent to the Iowa State Historical Society Research Center or the Friends of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. A private family graveside service will be held at Resthaven Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life will be held at McLaren's Funeral Chapel on Saturday, July 1, from 4-6 p.m.