Remembering Joseph P. Ismert
A Life. A Legacy. A Sioux Chief Original.
For more than five decades, Joe was part of the heart and history of Sioux Chief. His influence can be found throughout the company he helped build, but perhaps his greatest legacy can be found in the people who worked beside him, learned from him, laughed with him, and were fortunate enough to call him a friend.
Joe knew this company in a way few others ever could. He understood its history because he lived it. He watched Sioux Chief grow, change, and become what it is today, and throughout those years, he remained unmistakably Joe. Those who knew him will remember his seemingly endless knowledge of peculiar facts and his ability to turn an ordinary conversation into one you wouldn't soon forget. They'll remember his stories, his curiosity, his sense of humor, and that unmistakable personality that could fill a room.
But Joe was more than a leader at Sioux Chief.
He was a husband, father, and grandfather. He was a mentor, a teacher, a friend, and a familiar face to generations of Sioux Chief employees. He was someone who could make you laugh, make you think, and, occasionally, leave you wondering how in the world he knew that particular random fact.
And there are so many Joe stories.
Since his passing, those stories have been shared again and again—funny stories, meaningful moments, lessons learned, and memories that haven't been thought about in years. Together, they tell the story of a man whose impact cannot be measured simply by a title or number of years.
We're remembering the stories.
We're remembering the laughter.
We're remembering what he taught us.
We're remembering the company he helped build and the people he impacted along the way.
And most of all, we're celebrating a life that will forever be part of the Spirit of the Chief.
53 Years of Sioux Chief
Countless stories. One incredible legacy.
Joe’s favorite quote – “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said ‘faster horses’.” ~ Henry Ford
THAT WAS JOE.
The stories, laughter, and little moments we remember.
There are some things you learn about a person from their résumé or biography. And then there are the things you learn from the people who know them. Those are the stories we want to remember about Joe. The funny moments. The lessons. The conversations. The things he said. The things he did. And, of course, the seemingly endless supply of random facts he somehow knew.
These are just a few of the memories that make us smile and say, “That was Joe.”
Employee Memory ~ Mary Snell
“I have so many great memories of Joe. There is one that always makes me smile. One time, Joe was up front, and we were teasing each other. I jokingly told him that he needed to go to his room, so he got in the elevator and went upstairs. What I didn’t realize was that someone was standing near my desk and had heard me tell Joe to go to his room. That person asked me if I knew who Joe was and said it was nice working with me because they thought I was going to get fired for sending Joe to his room! Thankfully, I’m still here working at the front desk. Joe and I both had a good laugh about that one. Joe was truly one of a kind, and I will always cherish the memories and laughs we shared.”
Employee Memory ~ Nate Buzard
“For a short time, the commercial sales team consisted of Rachel Stewart, Kyle Meagher, and me. We sat in the cubicles upstairs directly outside of JPI’s office. Any morning that he came into the office, we were all greeted with a good morning. On occasions when he may come in later than usual, he would sometimes say, ‘Sorry I’m late, but I intend to leave early today.’ It was always good for a laugh.”
Former Employee Memory ~ Jeni Kopriva
“Without Joe, there would be no Sioux Chief; without SC, I would never have met the love of my life in Mitch. And if that never happened, we wouldn’t have our son. Without Joe, my life would be way less complete. And I know this to be true for many other families of SC. He will be missed, and I am so thankful for the life he lived, as it made way for the life I live. Thank you, Joe, and may you Rest in Peace. I know if Mitch was able to, he would have the most beautiful things to say about Joe. He always loved him.”
Former Employee Memory ~ Mike Meagher
“Joe possessed a unique talent for invention, coupled with an unshakeable belief that there is nothing you cannot accomplish if you set your mind to it. Eventually, I also began working at Sioux Chief, often side-by-side with my good friend—and now employer—Joe. His ‘can-do’ attitude quickly rubbed off on everyone around him.”
Employee Memory ~ Melanie W. NgaNga
“One of my most heartfelt memories of JPI is the handwritten notes he included on the birthday cards I received every year from Sioux Chief. Despite all the responsibilities he carried in leading the company, he always took the time to personally write such encouraging and meaningful birthday messages. He was humble, full of grace and honor, I deeply admired that about him. He was also a man of faith, and I loved the way he built his life and family on that firm foundation. His faith, humility, and thoughtfulness were evident not only in the way he led the company, but also in the personal ways he took time to encourage and care for others. Those profound handwritten birthday messages are something I will always treasure.”
Employee Memory ~ Brian C. Anderson
“We went to the Royals home opener one day years back and instead of Joe sitting at the front in his seats by the dug out he let some other SCM employees and relatives sit in those seats and he sat with several of us others in the upper deck and spoke to us all throughout the game just like a normal guy. Always thought that was very admirable and showed the kind of demeanor he was as a person.”
A Tribute to Our Classmate, Joe Ismert
December 21, 1952 – September 2, 2026
Most of you reading this probably remember Joe from high school, but you might not know much about his life after graduation. I would like to share a few thoughts about a man who was my close friend for 55 years.
After high school, Joe attended Rockhurst College. While still a student, he and his brother, Mike, bought their father’s small company, Sioux Chief Mfg., a manufacturer of plumbing supply products. At the time, the business had only five employees. But once Joe and Mike took the reins, they quickly began expanding both their product line and their market.
Joe possessed a unique talent for invention, coupled with an unshakeable belief that there is nothing you cannot accomplish if you set your mind to it. Eventually, I also began working at Sioux Chief, often side-by-side with my good friend—and now employer—Joe. His “can-do” attitude quickly rubbed off on everyone around him.
He once handed me an assignment to handle a seemingly impossible situation in the field. Frustrated by the task, I walked out of his office thinking, “Who does he think I am, some sort of miracle worker?” After a few days of hard work, I surprisingly managed to resolve the issue. When I immediately called Joe to report my success, he simply replied, “I knew you could do it, Mike.” I smiled to myself and thought, “Wow, Joe really does think I’m a miracle worker.” That was just who Joe was, every single day. His confidence was contagious, and that lesson stayed with me for the rest of my career.
Over the course of his life at Sioux Chief, Joe developed dozens of unique plumbing products that fundamentally changed the way plumbers pipe houses and buildings. Alongside these new products, he led the development of innovative processes and robotic machinery to manufacture them in high volume. He built an engineering team that designed some of the most sophisticated robotic machinery in the industry. It was this powerful combination of product and process that made the company so successful and kept competitors at bay.
Joe and his brother Mike were also incredibly generous, offering standout employee benefits that rivaled any other company in the area. During a severe recession, when other businesses were laying off workers by the dozens, Joe refused to take the easy way out. Instead, he kept his team on the payroll, assigning them to paint factory walls or clean out old inventory boxes. Nobody got laid off.
Joe eventually took over the company by himself in 2002. Today, the company is led by his oldest son, Joseph N Ismert (CEO) along with several of his other children in key positions. The company continues to grow by following the great business philosophy of their father.
Joe was a visionary businessman, a compassionate leader, and above all, a loyal friend. He made a lasting difference in the world and in the lives of everyone who knew him. Rest in peace, my friend. We will miss you.
Your friend forever, Mike Meagher
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