August De Boodt

De Boodt did his secondary school studies at the Episcopal College of Menin and was promoted to an agricultural engineer (1921) to the University of Leuven. He was an active member and senior of the UCL student club Moeder Meense [1]

De Boodt married Pauline Vermeylen and became the father of five children. He went to work for the Farmers and settled in Turnhout, he was the promoter of agricultural and livestock improvements in De Kempen, where he resided with his family at domain Zwart Goor 1 - 2330 Merksplas, a townhouse in Turnhout's town square during the week and an appartement in Brussels for his political functions. He founded several agricultural associations.

From 1936 to 1946 he was a Councilor for Turnhout.

In 1936 he was elected senator for the Catholic District Mechelen - Turnhout and held this office until 1968. In parliament, he participated in the work of the Centre Harmel.

In 1950 he was Minister of Reconstruction in the homogeneous CVP - Government Joseph Pholien (August 1950 - January 1952) which until came about after the settlement of the Royal Question. He came into the government strengthen the group of more Flemish Sentient politicians (André Dequae, Geeraard Van Den Daele, Paul Willem Segers, Albert Coppé), to the great displeasure To meet the Flemish side of such settlement.

These Ministers, a few days after their appointment, participated in the annual IJzerbedevaart. On the eve of that pilgrimage wrote De Boodt the sum of 1 million francs in his budget for reconstruction of the dynamited tower, today, the IJzertoren is still a symbol of Flemish nationalism and a symbol to remember the cruelties that happen during wars, thus a symbol of peace.

De Boodt's name is engraved on the tower, for his national contributions and bringing his country justice during a time of chaos. He is Freeman of Tessenderlo, a descendant of Anselmus de Boodt.