Richard E. Gage
April 06, 2010
Dick Gage, 85, passed away on April 6, 2010. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 25, at 3 PM at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.
Dick was born on February 21, 1925 in Greeley, Iowa and graduated from Manchester High School. Dick was a decathlon winner in Track and Field during his senior year in High School. He served in the Army Air Corp in New Guinea during WWII and then graduated from UNI and Drake University. Sixty years after graduation, he authored his high school yearbook, as his high school was unable to produce a yearbook due to the paper shortage during WWII. He worked and retired from the Iowa State Education Department. In 1966 he attended a 9-week educational seminar in India and was pleased to meet Ghandi’s daughter, Indira. Dick co-authored an educational handbook for the State of Iowa, and was a ghost speech writer for Governor’s Ray and Branstad. As a volunteer, Dick taught reading through the Drake University Adult Literacy Program. He was also the co-owner of Thackeray’s bookstore which was located in Clive, Iowa. Dick traced his maternal genealogy back to the Mayflower, and was a member of the Mayflower Society. He enjoyed coin collecting, antiquing, yard work and play, football (the Green Bay Packers and Iowa Hawkeyes), basketball (the Drake Bulldogs), board games, watching western movies and shows, and listening to his short wave radio (DX’ing). Dick loved people and was a consummate jokester. He very much loved and enjoyed his family and especially enjoyed “Grandpa Afternoons” every week, when his grandson, Matthew, would visit him.
Remaining to cherish his memories and his sense of humor, are his wife, Lorna; son, Jim (Kristin); daughter, Sarah Bouma; sisters, Bette and Audrey; sisters-in-law, Maxine and Elaine (Clyde); four grandsons, Ken, Jacob and Joe Bouma and Matthew Gage; step-granddaughter, Samantha DeWitt; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa (Kavanagh House on 56th Street) 401 Railroad Place, West Des Moines, IA 50265 or to the Johnny and Romie Orr Memory Center, c/o Dr. Robert Bender, 1300 50th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
Condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Gene and Julie Miller
05/07/2010
Lorna,
So sorry to read in the Manchester press that Dick has passed away.
You and your family are in our prayers.
Mary E (Harmon) Johnson
05/03/2010
Dear Lorna,
I was a Franklin Jr. High student of Dick's in a Reading class. It would've been between '58-'62. There was a Miss Kimball, and I can't remember which year I had her and which year I had Mr. Gage. The obituary didn't mention his teaching career.
My E-mail address is maryeliz46@msn.com
Mary E (Harmon) Johnson
Chris Bechtel
04/23/2010
I had the privilege of having Mr. Gage as a teacher many years ago. He was one of my all time favorites! Besides being an excellent educator, he made our classes interesting. I had seen him for many years, but he will hold a special place in my life. Thank you, Mr. Gage, and God Bless.
Ken Yarrington
04/16/2010
Paula and I are so sorry for your loss. Dick was a good man and still is through Jimmy and Matt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Shelley Morgan
04/14/2010
What a wonderful man Dick Gage was. He worked part-time at Southern Prairie AEA 15 in Ottumwa, Iowa after he retired from the Iowa Department of Education. He was a kind, gentle spirit that everyone came to know and enjoy. He always had a joke to tell. After you'd known Dick for a while all you would have to do was look for that twinkle in his eye that told you he was about to tell you a good one. I am thankful for the opportunity to have known Dick. He talked about his family often - each of you were so important and dear to him. I'm sure you have many memories to treasure. Blessings to all of you.
Jon Alsip
04/13/2010
Lorna and family,
I shall sorely miss my frequent visits with Dick over our backyard
fence. I always looked forward to Spring when I could once again
work in my yard and renew my friendship with Dick. Over the years,
Dick and I solved innumerable local, state, national and world
problems.
Jon Alsip
Bill & Peg DeKeyser
04/12/2010
Dear Lorna, Sarah and Jim, We are so sorry to learn of Dick's passing. He was an important part of my growing up years...a frequant visitor to our farm South of Manchester. He was always cheerful, always funny and a great lover of chocolate shakes. He led a long and exemplary life. God bless, Bill & Peg DeKeyser
Jeanne Strathman
04/10/2010
Dear Lorna, Sarah and Jimmy....I don't know what I would have done without Uncle Dick in my life. He brought so much laughter and happiness to my life. I'm so sorry for your loss and believe that the good memories you all had together will help to get you through this tough time. Dick was the kind of person that if you only met him once you would remember him. I was fortunate to know him my whole life and am very grateful for it. Love to you all, we are thinking of you. Jeanne and Robb
Ruth Strathman
04/09/2010
Dear Lorne, Sarah, Jim and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know your hearts are heavy and there is a huge empty space in your lives. I hope your wonderful memories soon fill that void and lift your spirits. Uncle Dick touched many lives! I am so greatful to have had him in mine! His quick wit and sense of humor brought many smiles and laughs to our gatherings. I can picture him now, in heaven, telling Tom a corny joke and working him to get a shoulder rub. Uncle Dick had a gentle, kind and honest spirit that inspired those around him. He will be missed by many.
Love, Ruth
Mary Corey D'Luge
04/08/2010
Sarah and Jimmy: I wish I could be there to give you hugs of comfort. Your dad was so special to our family. He always made everyone smile, from his 'special' laugh to his great stories of family history. There is definitely a new star in the sky tonight.
LORNE: What would our family have done without Dick? I am so sorry for your loss and I truly hope your grief can be lessened. I hope that memories of your good times with him bring you smiles as time passes. Vince and I are with you in spirit and in our hearts. Love, Mary
Stephanie Dahl
04/08/2010
Lorna, Sara and Jim,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Uncle Dick meant a great deal to me, as do all of you. My heart is with you. I love you all very much, and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
To my Great Uncle Dick,
I am very lucky to have had you in my life. You brought worlds of sunshine and laughter to not only me, but so many others. To this day, every time I think about you, I cannot stop myself from smiling. We share our birthday. We share our wonderful family. You are my favorite Great Uncle!
Bill and Phyllis Jagiello
04/08/2010
Lorna and Family,
With great sadness, we will miss Dick's humor and sense of dignity.
Our most sincere condolences on your loss.
Cynthia Fisher
04/08/2010
Lorna - I was sorry to hear about Dick. I remember how friendly he was and what a devoted couple you were to each other. May God be with you and help you through this sad time.
In Christian Love,
Cynthia Fisher
(Former Galilean class member, First Federated Church)
Tom Francisco
04/08/2010
You were a great teacher. You made a difference in my life!
Melanie
04/08/2010
My sincerest condolences during this difficult time. My prayers are with your family.