Richard Keith Turpen
August 30, 2013
Richard Turpen, 66, passed away August 30, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born August 14, 1947, in Dexter, Iowa, to Richard C. and Florence Mae (Smith) Turpen.
Richard graduated from Valley High School in 1965. After high school he married Marcia Jungwirth on April 4, 1968. He then received his Bachelor’s degree from Graceland College in 1969, and his Master’s of Special Education from UNI in 1975.
Richard worked for Rock Island Railroad during his summers while in college. He taught three years at Iowa State Training School for boys in Eldora, Iowa. He also was a softball and little league baseball coach for many years. Richard was an Elder for RLDS Church, was president of Kiwanis Club, and Cub Master of Washington School Pack-101-CC. Richard was Executive Director for 21 years at Comp Systems, and he cherished his years helping people with disabilities.
Richard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marcia; sons, David A. (Theresa) Turpen of Webster City, IA, and Richard S. (Darlene) Turpen of Charles City, IA; daughter, Katherine L. Turpen (Jerry Parks) of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Andrew and Christopher Turpen, Austin and Sarah Kate Turpen, Courtney and Makayla Nierling, and Jackson, Brandon, Jeridan, and Maisy Parks; great granddaughter, Alivia Parks; pet and partner-in-crime, Fonzi. He is also survived by sisters, Verna Snow, Sally (Dan) Myers, and Bonnie (Jeff) Whitehall; brother-in-law, John Hrovat; sisters-in-law, Margaret Ann (John) McPherson and Bobbie (Jeff) Miles; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Valinda Smith and Vicki Hrovat; daughter-in-law, Tiffany Guthart Turpen; and his grandparents.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, September 2, 2013, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be made to family in loving memory of Richard.
Condolences for the family may be offered at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
David VanNingen
09/16/2013
Rich was a mentor for me when I moved to Iowa, and a friend.
Appreciated his many skills and great sense of humor. For all he did for so many people with disaiblities, thank you and please know you are in my prayers.
Marge Quigley
09/10/2013
Marcia and Family. I am sorry for your loss. Rich did a wonderful job for the staff and consumers at CSI. He always had a smile and time to say Hi. Today, he is relieved of his pain. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you.
Sharon zobeck
09/04/2013
Marcia and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I will always remember how kind and respectful Rich was of all the consumers and staff at Comp. He knew everyone by name and loved to tease and have a good time with his "people". My sympathies to you all.
Deb(Reshauge) Morrison
09/04/2013
David, Rich & Family, So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I had 12 good years @ Comps. Some of the Best Years were when your Dad was in charge. We had such staff appreciation, great parties, bonuses and family events. It made for many happy and appreciated employees. He would come around unit to unit to say "Hi!" and see what was going on, how everyone was and if we needed anything. Fantastic. That ended when he moved on. David, I enjoyed working for you when you were in Memories & chatting with Rich & Tom when they were overhaulling Memories(floors & sunroom.) Just wanted you to know, despite all the years, that you are in my thoughts and prayers, with fond "Memories." I lost my Dad & Mom within 7 months of each other recently, so I am empathetic to the loss, sadness & pain. God Bless You All & Love, Deb
Denise Lacina
09/03/2013
Marcia, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I always enjoyed chatting with you and Rich when you were at Comp Services in Charles City. I worked for DHS in Jasper Co. I did get to see Rich a few times when he worked for a short time in Newton with the transportation. Take care and I am on FB. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Denise Lacina
Terry L. Johnson
09/03/2013
Just learned of Rich's passing. His family is in our prayers at Genesis Development. I often tell stories of the CARF surveys we did together and the time we spent on our association's board of directors. Again, you have our sympathies.
Elizabeth Jones
09/02/2013
Marcia, my heart goes out to you and your family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cindy Loewen Kirst
09/01/2013
Sorry for your loss, I have lots of memories of Richard while having him as a boss when working for him at Comprehensive Systems in Charles City.