Richard Charles Barnes

Richard passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020. He was born in Oelwein, Iowa on December 31, 1936. He was athletic throughout his entire school years and graduated from Alpha Community High School in Alpha, Iowa in 1954 and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1958.

Richard was an Independent Insurance Agent and prior to his retirement, worked at Fort Dodge Laboratories. His hobbies included refereeing football and umpiring baseball with his biggest stage being when he umpired at the NAIA College World Series. When he was not on the field you could find him directing the church choir at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Humboldt, Iowa and he was always whistling to his favorite Johnny Cash or Jim Reeves melody. In addition to music and sports, Richard had a love and talent for gardening and landscaping and spent many hours creatively landscaping yards. He was known to carry dog treats for his favorite dogs that he would run across on his daily walks.

Survivors include his twin brother, Robert (Ramona) Barnes; three daughters, Ann (Steve) Watson, Julie (Don) Bengier, and Kathi (Steve) Fisher; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his niece, Brigit Barnes. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Fern Barnes.

Services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Iowa with visitation prior from 9 to 10 AM. Burial will be at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made directly to VNA Hospice, 12565 West Center Rd. #100 in Omaha, NE 68144 or to the Des Moines Catholic Worker House, 1310 7th Street in Des Moines, Iowa 50314.

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