The Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation posthumously recognized David Hurd as the recipient of the 2023 Iowa Innovation Award on Sept. 3 at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. Established in 2022, the Iowa Innovation Award recognizes a person who “has made a positive impact on planet Earth with an emphasis on displaying the core values of DMWWPF,” according to a press release. “Nominees exhibit DMWWPF vision and mission through their work – fostering stewardship for clean water and nature.” Born in Chicago, Hurd moved to Des Moines in 1954 and started working for Bankers Life, now Principal Financial, staying with the company for 40 years before retiring in 1994, although he continued to serve as director of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Co. He was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 1994, and in 2015, he was presented with the Eychaner Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Hurd passed away in 2016.