Richard "Red" Owens
November 30, 2012
Rich "Red" Owens, 78, passed away Friday, November 30, 2012, at his home in Runnells. He was born February 25, 1934, in Des Moines to Donovan and Mary Catherine Owens.
Red was a lifelong resident of the Runnells area. He graduated from East High School in 1952 and attended Iowa State University and Drake University, receiving both his undergraduate and Masters Degrees in counseling. Red had a passion for coaching wrestling and started his career as head coach at Greenfield High School and then spent four years as assistant coach at Lincoln High School. In 1964, he started the wrestling program at Southeast Polk High School and developed it into the successful program it is today. Red was named Coach of the Year in 1983. During his career, he was inducted into the Southeast Polk, East High, Iowa Wrestling Coaches and National Wrestling Coaches Halls of Fame. He retired from coaching in 1993 and from his education career in 1994. In addition, he was a longtime roofer, owning and operating Owens and Sons Roofing. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, lifting weights, horseback riding and was an avid reader.
Rich is survived by his sons, Jason (Mary), Patrick (Peggy); five grandchildren, Elise, Ethan, Eli, Cutler and Carson; sister, Margaret. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill.
Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th Street, Altoona. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rich Owens Memorial Scholarship Fund at Keystone Bank 6871 NE 12th Ave., Pleasant Hill, in loving memory of Red.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Phil Akason
12/03/2012
Pat and the Owens Family, I am truly saddened by your loss. Treasure the memories and appreciate how many lives your Dad has positively impacted.
Pam (Kushman) Wallingford (SEP '78)
12/03/2012
My condolences to the Owens family. I was lucky enough to be a Mat-Maid for Coach Owens all 4 years of high school. So many high school memories involve Coach and the wrestling team and events. And I always enjoyed running into him after the high school years and catching up. He has left behind a great legacy in his family and so many past students. He will be greatly missed.
Brad Stolz
12/03/2012
I'm truly saddened by Red's death. Red was a friend and an amazing coach. His passing will leave a void in the lives and hearts of all who knew him. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you for peace and comfort. May God be with you all.
Robert Ringstd
12/02/2012
Jason & Patrick, your dad was quite a man. I am proud to have known and wrestled for him. I will miss seeing him. He made a positive impact on so many lives, including mine.
The Mills Family: Matt, Lorilee, Garrett & Tyler
12/02/2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Coach touched many lives in various ways. We were all blessed to have known him.
The Kaut Family: Mike, Diane, Andre, Tyler & Rache
12/02/2012
Patrick, Peggy, Cutler & Carson......We are SO sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Harriett Heuring Buck
12/02/2012
My thoughts and prayers to the Owen's Family. Went to East with Red...A great guy. He will be missed.
Harriett Buck
The Eckert Family: Ken, Chris, Robbin, Beth, & Da
12/02/2012
Our thoughts and prayers to the Owens family. Our family have all been touched and strengthened by yours.
Patty O'Brien
12/02/2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the Owens family and friends. A great Legacy in the Southeast Polk District will be missed and remembered with the utmost respect and admiration. It was a pleasure to know him.
Dianna Kusel (Shissler)
12/02/2012
Coach Owens will be greatly
missed not only by his wrestlers but by all the SEP student body past and present. My husband Gordon was one of his wrestlers that respected him not only as a coach but as a great human being. Our hearts go out to his Family.
Josie Lehman
12/01/2012
So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed running into your dad and always enjoyed our conversations. He was an amazing man and will be missed. Every member of the Bishop and Lehman family will be praying for all of the Owens family during this diificult time.
Dawn Bergeson
12/01/2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Owens family in this difficult time. Red was truely one of the great men who had a lot of influence in my life growing up. His ability to take a person and develop them into a great student or athlete is a special quality and I very much respected and idolized. He will be missed by so many people because he truely cared about people. Thanks Coach for everything you taught me. God bless you and your family. SEP Class of 87
Marci Keesee
12/01/2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Owens families. I will forever be grateful to Coach Owens for all the ways he influenced my life.
Kim (Rosengren) Reed
12/01/2012
My heart goes out to your family...Coach is a staple in my high school memories, I loved cheering for all of his guys each wrestling season. The things that he taught us have lasted throughout my life. He will be missed so much!!!! Prayers and love to all of you.
Judy "Elliott" Yingling
12/01/2012
My thoughts & prayers to all of your family. Coach was a great man & friend of my Dad & his brothers many years ago. He still called me "Elliott!!" whenever he saw me. He will be missed. Please know that he was loved & respected by many, many people & will never be forgotten. God be with you all at this difficult time.