Richard Cushing

Richard F. Cushing, 70, of Fort Pierce, Florida passed away surrounded by family on November 26, 2007 after a courageous six week battle in the Intensive Care Unit of Lawnwood Medical Center.
Richard was born March 9, 1937 in Van Meter, Iowa. He graduated from Van Meter High School in 1955 and Iowa State University with a BA in Agriculture in 1959 where he was Chairman of the ’59 Veishea Parade. He served two years in the Iowa National Guard. His work for Kraft Foods for over 30 years took him from Urbana, IL to Allentown, PA to Lakeland, FL. He enjoyed reading, fishing, golf, gardening, the beach, grilling, movies and ISU & Florida Gator football.
Richard is survived by his son, Greg (Brenda) Cushing of West Des Moines, IA; daughter, Amy (Jaak) Cushing-Savvi of New York, NY; step-son, Calvin (Shelley) West of Tampa, FL; step-daughter, Mindy West of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Eric and Megan Cushing of West Des Moines, IA, Owen West of Tampa, FL; sisters, Virginia (Wendell) Deo of Ava, MO, Margaret Beal of Adel, IA, Janice Hedberg of Pickerel Lake, MN; aunt and uncle Florence and Jacob Cushing of Waukee, IA; aunt, Dorothy Cushing of Waukee, IA and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mathias and Irma Cushing; uncles, James and Tom Cushing; aunts, Helen Palmer and Ina Allen; brothers-in-law, Hank Hedberg and Verlynn Beal.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 30 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway at 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Funeral service will be at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 8301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50322 on Saturday, December 1 at 12:30 p.m.. A luncheon and reception will immediately follow in the GDLC Christian Life Center.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made and will be directed to local charities by the family.

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