Richard "Dick" Spencer

Richard William Spencer, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, with his devoted wife, five children, beloved sister, and other family members by his side.

Dick was born April 29, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa to William and Thelma (Burt) Spencer. He attended Bird Elementary, Callanan Middle School, and Abraham Lincoln High School, graduating in 1957. After high school, he attended Iowa State University for a short time before starting his trucking career at Rock Island Motor Transit, where he was given the CB Handle “The Teetotaler.”
Dick met his wife, Janice, in 1959 at a high school dance when he borrowed her to get entrance. Months later they met again at the Val Air Ballroom. They married in 1960 at Central Christian Church in Des Moines.

After many years in the trucking industry, Dick had the opportunity to join Teamsters Local 147 as a business agent. He took pride in a job well done and expected the same from everyone around him. He would tell his kids, “If you don’t do the job right the first time, you’ll have to do it over again” – and on occasion, they did repeat their work. The best way to describe Dick was he never stopped working. His hands were rarely still and he frequently created new projects to stay busy. Whether it was raising Irish Setters, pigs, banty roosters, or champion King Pigeons – winning numerous awards at pigeon shows – or creating a project to keep busy, he was always working.

Many summers were spent with the family boating and fishing at Sun Valley Lake. In retirement, he spent his days at garage sales and tag sales searching for antique radios and fishing reels and buying anything that would annoy his wife. However, what he liked most about retirement was mowing. Where others view mowing as a chore, Dick found it relaxing.

Dick was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to many, and a man who would give the shirt off his back to help a neighbor or friend in need. He was a great father who always took care of his children and did the best he could to teach and guide them.

Dick was a member of South Gate Masonic Lodge #657 for over 50 years, a Teamster Member for 62 years, and a board member of the Iowa Association of Teamster Retirees. He was a proud supporter of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

Dick leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Janice (Kruger) Spencer; his sons, Bill Spencer, Roland Spencer, and Howard (Michelle) Spencer; his daughters, Mary (Frank) Allen and Stephanie (Thomas) Rice; his beloved sister, Mary “Janie” Blaylock; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren plus one on the way; many nieces and nephews; his dog Dolly; and his cats Mama Kitty, Dakota, Cy, and many farm cats. He was preceded in death by his parents, baby brother Raymond, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Please join us in celebrating Dick’s life. A visitation will be held at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th on Friday, July 28th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 29th at the funeral home followed by a light lunch and a private family burial.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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