Richard E. "Dick" Warren

Richard E. Warren, 75, passed away at his home on the 17th of October, 2016, from the effects of liver cancer with his family at his side.

Born July 5, 1941 in Adel, IA, to Fred L. and Laurrene (Robinson) Warren, the second of four children, Dick graduated from Winterset High School in 1959. In 1963 he married Raejean Caudle — they would remain happily married for 53 years. He graduated from Coe College in 1964 with a degree in physical education and then completed his master’s degree the same field in 1966 from the University of Iowa. His high school yearbook had jokingly referred to him as “president of everything,” and he would spend the rest of his life stepping in and stepping up to be in charge of one thing or another.

Dick spent five years in LaGrange Park, IL as an elementary school physical education teacher before moving back to Iowa in 1971 to assume leadership of his father’s construction company, F.L. Warren Construction. He would spend the rest of his professional life in the construction industry, working with a handful of companies, until his retirement. Dick and Raejean spent the past 25 winters in Arizona, which would ultimately become their second home.

Quick with a smile and a friendly word, Dick never found himself among strangers. Those who knew him well would speak of his generosity and genuine nature, those that had just met him would speak of how welcome and comfortable he made them feel. He was a born leader, and with children, a true pied piper. He loved to listen to their stories and they would gravitate to him. As recently as six weeks before his passing, he’d helped the child of a family friend break in her first brand-new ball glove. He coached the occasional youth basketball or soccer team throughout the years, and he was a vociferous and well-intended, if not well-behaved, spectator for any sporting event of his children or grandchildren that he attended.

Dick was an obsessive about keeping up the appearance of his yard, relished the opportunity each winter to snowblow not only his own sidewalks but those of the entire block, and even took on a paper route as an adult, if for no other reason than to make sure that everyone in the neighborhood got their paper exactly the way they wanted it.

Dick was an active member of West Des Moines United Methodist Church, well-renowned for his leadership of the church’s annual omelette breakfast and its August kickoff breakfast, where he would lead the children of the congregation in three-legged races and egg tosses. He also spent some time recently as a member of the Lutheran Church of Hope, where he attended a regular men’s group. He also served for a time as president of his homeowners’ association in Mesa, and held himself responsible for organizing the condo pool league.

A history buff, especially of the Civil War era, Dick was a voracious reader and collected many a volume on related topics over the years -- the more specific, the better, as his personalized license plates (20TH ME) would attest. For their 50th anniversary, Raejean planned out a tour of Gettysburg so that he could see the battlefields in person for the first time.

His family would like to extend their thanks to Drs. Sean Cunningham, Matthew Hill, Marvin Chassin and Robert Hanna, for their efforts in helping Dick cope with and navigate the health issues that he encountered over the final months of his life.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Fred L. Warren, Jr.; his sister, Patricia (David) Kuhns; brother-in-law, John Caudle; sister-in-law, Janice (Kimzey) Caudle; and nephew, Rick Caudle. He is survived by his wife, Raejean (Caudle); his children, Stacey Warren (Brent Cashatt) of Altoona and Jeffrey (Kathleen) Warren of Des Moines; grandchildren, Jordan (Carlee Taylor) Cashatt, Alexa Cashatt, Cade, Luke and Cole Warren; sister, Joyce (David Cross) Warren of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Beth (Gary) Wildin; and, his nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20 at West Des Moines United Methodist Church where a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 21.

Memorial contributions may be made to West Des Moines United Methodist Church, which did so much to enrich his life spiritually or Unity Point Hospice, which did so much to help Dick and his family manage his final days.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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