Richard "Dick" Arthur Reed

Dick passed from this life, surrounded by his family on November 15, 2018. Beloved son, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, he was treasured by all. Dick remained cheerful and engaged in life to the end. He will be fondly remembered for his keen sense of humor, wonderful joke telling abilities, and insatiable drive to solve any and all mechanical problem that he deemed worthy of improvement. He was a patient, generous, and loving man who never met a stranger and never lost a friend. His spirit will live on in those blessed to call him, Honey, Dad, Popop, and Papa.

Dick was born Richard Arthur Reed, on January 6, 1928 in Waterloo, Iowa to Edith Ella and H. Eugene Reed. Following graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the occupation army as a supply sergeant in Seoul, Korea from 1946-47. On December 26, 1950 he married Irene Elizabeth Braun and they raised three children, Gary Alan, Randy Joel and Jane Elizabeth. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in General Business in 1951, Dick began working for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Waterloo. Several promotions resulted in assignments in Davenport and Des Moines where he retired in 1986 as Director of Community and Local Government Relations for the Des Moines Metro area.

Dick served as President of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, on the City of West Des Moines Board of Adjustment, and on the Commodore of the Saylorville Yacht Club. He enjoyed volunteering at the WDM Human Services since 2001. Sailing, mentoring new sailors, and restoring sailboats were favorite hobbies into his late 80’s. Over his sailing career, he bought, restored, and sold an impressive total of 56 sailboats. He was a member of Westkirk Presbyterian Church in Urbandale, Iowa and loved his church family and social events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Edith Reed; his brother, Jerry (Carol); and his son, Randy (Debra) of San Antonio, Texas. Dick is survived by his wife, Irene; son, Gary (Debra) of Clive; daughter, Jane (Keith) Wilson of Charleston, IL; five grandchildren, Sean Reed, Mackenzie (Taylor) Mize, Sam (Jenney) Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson, and Rebecca Reed; and 2 step-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Westkirk Presbyterian Church on Saturday December 1, 2018 with visitation from 10 to 11:00 a.m. and the memorial service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westkirk Presbyterian Church, The Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or to Unity Point Hospice. Condolences at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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