Dr. Diana Reed

Dr. Diana Reed passed away on January 8, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. We have lost a wife, mother, and Nana, but the world has lost an incredible teacher and leader. Diana faced cancer like she lived her life, with strength, dignity, courage, style and passion.

Diana was born on February 19, 1942 in Baytown, TX. She was raised in West Columbia, TX by her parents, Ola Mae and Hardin Reed. She attended West Columbia High School and was a member of one of the first girls’ basketball teams in Texas. She attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX where she earned her Education degree, was Homecoming Queen, and a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Diana met and married J.S. Mendenhall her senior year. They had two daughters, Michelle and Larisa.

Diana was a high school teacher, guidance counselor and vice principal. She earned her Master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. She then earned her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin Madison. She began teaching at the University level at Western Michigan. She has also taught at SMU and found her forever professional home at Drake University. Thousands of students have taken Business Management courses from Diana and she was well known for having her classes play with Tinker Toys. She held many positions while at Drake including Assistant and Associate Dean of the College of Business. Diana also served on numerous campus committees such as the Faculty Senate, University Curriculum Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, General Education Committee, Athletic Council and for many years an Assistant Marshal at Graduation.

Diana met and married her soulmate, Richard Rarick in 1986. They had 32 years of fun and adventure. Diana loved to travel and she and Rick journeyed all over the world for Rotary and pleasure. In her last couple years, she took a Heritage tour to China and a trip around the Southeastern United States with her granddaughter. She also went to Dallas to see a grandson play in a preseason Cowboys game.

Diana was a passionate Drake fan and supporter, rarely missing a men’s or women’s basketball game or the Drake Relays. She also attended almost every event her grandchildren were involved in, whether it was a 4th grade orchestra concert, a little league game, a high school football game or an Iowa State football game, she was in the stands cheering them on.

Diana joined the Northwest Des Moines Chapter of Rotary in 1988. She served in various capacities including Youth Scholarships, Greeters, Special events, Secretary and Board of Directors. Diana became the first woman president of the Northwest Chapter in 1995. She also participated in the District 6000 activities as a member of the Training Committee, World Community Service Committee, Executive Committee, Assistant Governor, and in 2007 became the first woman District 6000 Governor. Both Diana and Rick are Paul Harris Fellows.

Other community and professional involvement includes being President, Board of Directors member and Executive Council member of the Federation of Business Disciplines, President of the Southwest Academy of Management, Executive Vice President on the Board of Directors of Leadership Network, member of the city of Clive Capitol Planning Committee and Clive Park Board, and a trustee of the Valley Methodist church.

Diana was preceded in death by her mother and father. Left to keep her memory are her husband, Rick; daughters, Michelle (James) Campos and Larisa Mendenhall; grandchildren, Bryan, Jake, and Ben Campos, and Kailee Mendenhall. Diana will continue to visit new and exotic locations as her family plans to fulfill her bucket list of destinations and scatter her ashes worldwide as they honor her love of travel.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA on Thursday, January 17, 2019 with visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. with the Service of Remembrance following at 7:00 p.m.

Gifts and tributes may be directed to Rotary Foundation in the name of Diana Reed. Condolences at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print