Richard Hendryx
March 22, 2020
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Service Details
Rick Hendryx, 75, passed away peacefully at the Mercy Hospice house on Sunday, March 22, 2020 following a battle with cancer.
Rick was born June 18, 1944 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and grew up there. He attended Regis High School where he was a standout athlete in Football and Baseball. He went on to play football at the University of Iowa and obtained his degree in teaching. Upon graduation, he married Lynn Hendyx (Burkhart) and they settled in the Cedar Rapids area where he taught History and coached a wide variety of sports at his alma mater.
In 1974, his family moved to Waterloo when he took the head football coach job at Waterloo Columbus. He continued to teach and took on Athletic Director responsibilities there. During his 16 years at Columbus, his teams won two 3A state championships, made the playoffs in multiple seasons and together with his coaching staff and players, built a winning tradition that he was very proud of.
He was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Coach’s Hall of Fame and recently into Columbus’ Athletic Hall of Fame. He made lifelong friendships at Columbus and cherished the camaraderie and relationships with those with whom he worked.
After the passing of his wife Lynn, he remarried Charlene Hendryx (Smith) and together they moved to Des Moines where he taught History and coached football briefly at Lincoln High school until his retirement. His passion for football extended past his playing and coaching days, through his love for the Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers. He was a lifelong fisherman, he loved to garden, play bridge, gamble and spend time with his family & friends.
He will be missed by the staff at Prairie Meadows, as well as his Bridge House family - where his sharp wit kept everyone entertained… some more than others! We want to especially thank his bridge family for their support of him by bringing him weekly meals to take home, offering words of encouragement, waking him up if he happened to doze off in the middle of a game, but more importantly, by giving him a place that he admitted has kept him going in the last five years and was the highlight of his week. We are forever grateful to you.
He is survived by his best friend and companion, his dog Charlie, with his family coming in a very close second. Dad, Gramps, Coach Dick …oh how we will miss you. Life with you was never dull, you were truly one of a kind, and our life was certainly more fun with you in it. The stories we will share with one another about your humor and antics through the years will keep us laughing forever. Thank you for being YOU.
A celebration of life will be held later this year. Memorial contributions may be designated for the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Jeff Purdy
07/15/2020
Rick was a History teacher, coach of football , baseball, and mens' gymnastics when I attended Regis High School in the early 70s. He also employed me as a painter in his summer house-painting business. Thanks Rick ! I don't think I thanked you enough for trusting me with the paintbrush! Those funds helped me to pay for college. I liked Rick a lot, or Mr. Hendryx as I called him at that time.. He was an excellent coach and a nice guy, always good to me. I appreciated his friendship and good humor even though he was more of an authority figure to me at the time. My eldest sister tells the story that Rick gave the boys in her home room a tutorial on how to treat your date courteously for prom! The point is , he had a great impact on people, and will long be remembered. Anyway, my sincerest condolences to all of Rick's family and friends. He will be missed , but always fondly remembered.
Kelly Romick
05/25/2020
I Was just recently made aware that coach Hendryx had passed and wanted to reach out to both Annie and Bart.
Your dad, as you well know, was definitely one of a kind and will be missed by so many.
Our families were great friends and I have such wonderful memories of your mom and dad as well as each of you kids.
I was blessed to have had the opportunity to see you both, meet your beautiful families and reminisce with you and your dad about our friendship and my babysitting you kids so long ago while at the Columbus High School Hall of Fame a couple years ago that your father was so well deserved inducted into.
He immediately remembered me and I will always cherish his huge smile and the bear hug that he gave me on that final encounter with all of you.
My deepest condolences on your loss Anne and Bart, and I will hold your family close in thought and prayer always.
Take care of one another and hold on to your faith that your dad is within each of you now and until you are again back together one day.
With great respect and friendship,
Hugs ?
Kelly (Berry) Romick
Larry C. Martindale
04/01/2020
Richard Hendryx was an excellent teacher, good friend, and beloved football coach during my days at ALHS as one of the vice principals. Rick had a wonderful sense of humor, was engaging with both staff and his students, and all who knew him loved him. I used to tell Rick that if we got too far behind in scoring during a big game, "Slip into one of those Railsplitter uniforms and get out and win the game, no one will recognize you, just don't look directly in the camera when you cross the goal line!"
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days and months that lie ahead.
Mary David
04/01/2020
It goes without saying Rick was unique and always told it like it was. I loved his sense of humor,his crustiness, along with his huge warm heart, and his tenacity. He endured a lot ,but did not give up his interest in others and his sense of fun. I was honored to have known him ,played cards with him, ,and considered him a friend. I hope memories keep him alive in our hearts. Prayers for his family.
Dan oberbroeckling
03/29/2020
To the Family of Coach Hendryx,
Were all grieving with you over the loss of a great teacher and Coach. He inspired so many and for me personally, a strong positive influence in my high school days. His life lessons of hard work, perseverance and positive attitude toward everything we do will always live on.
God Bless you Coach for all that youve done for this crazy world we live in now.
You will be missed.
Dan Oberbroeckling
Columbus High class of 81.
Michalle Riggs Geisler
03/29/2020
Oh, my prayers to the Hendryx family. Can still see Rick coming into the office to see Fr. Brunkan and checking out my candy dish on the desk. He always gave me grief, but a big smile.
Sarah Klieman Orth
03/29/2020
As I ponder growing up with the Hendrix family, I have such an overwhelming feeling of real friendship. A wonderful FAMILY friendship. My prayers are with you Annie and Bart.
Katie Peterson
03/28/2020
I am sorry for your loss. Mr. Hendryx was an amazing history teacher. His wit and humor made things come alive.
Kris Thompson
03/27/2020
Thank you Mr. Rick Hendrix for you and Annie being a wonderful part of my high school days.
Betty Torgerson
03/27/2020
Our sympathy to the Hendryx family. Rick was so good for our bridge world. He was not only a good player, but a fun one. He always made me happy to see him. No matter how much pain he was in, he brought joy to our world. He will certainly be missed!
Jaime Kline
03/27/2020
You were my fave (Although, not at first, it took a minute to wear you down!) I will miss your witty humor, giving you a hard time every time my Niners beat your Packers and our long chats whenever you saw me from across the room (I'll definitely miss yelling RICHARD! every time you didn't see me, just to get your attention)
Last time I saw you, you said it would be the last time, which breaks my heart because instead of hugging you, I said "see ya" (because that was our thing) Rest in peace ya old fart, thanks for making my day, everyday.??
Melissa Barker
03/27/2020
My condolences to your family. You were my history teacher along with Schartner in that giant room. You believed in me when I didn't. You taught me my voice means something. Thank you for everything. You touched so many kids lives.
I graduated in 2000.
Laura Nutt, Class of 07
03/27/2020
Your teaching style was one of the absolute best, we all had so much fun in your class! Thank you for the lasting impact on my education and some of my fondest memories of school!
Randi (Johnson) Malone
03/27/2020
Mr. Hendryx's class was one of my very favorites. He always made us laugh and used humor to pull us into the world of history. He was a fantastic teacher and a wonderful person who will be greatly missed. My prayers to you all as you remember his amazing life.
Brent Fees
03/26/2020
I had a chance to play for Coach Hendryx at Lincoln during the 93-94 seasons. My favorite memory was beating Dowling 41-7 as a player for him. He had a way of making you feel like you could win every time you took the field. RIP Coach!