Richard Allen Delk

Richard Allen Delk, a man who loved God, his family, Drake athletics and the Chicago Cubs, died Aug. 23. He was 90.

For several months, Dick courageously battled stage 4 kidney cancer. He breathed his last breaths surrounded by his family and in the house he had shared with his wife, Joyce, for over 56 years.

Dick was born on Jan. 27, 1934 at his family’s home in Weldon, Iowa. He was the seventh of nine children born to Charles W. Delk and Bernice Butler Delk. Dick’s family moved to Leon in 1937 and to Des Moines in 1943. He graduated from “the old” North High School in June 1952. He joined the U.S. Army in August 1953. After basic training, he was stationed in Germany and received an honorable discharge in August 1956.

About two weeks after returning to Des Moines from Germany, he married Joyce Geil, whom he had met at Gatchel United Methodist Church, which their families attended. Dick and Joyce were married on Aug. 31, 1956 and this year would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

Dick and Joyce moved to Cedar Falls where Dick worked at a local gas station while attending Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated in May 1959.

Dick began working at Bankers Life Co., now Principal Financial Group, in June 1959. He became an officer in the company in April 1982 and in 1986, was named director of benefit plans, the position he held at his retirement in January 1999.

Dick served two terms as mayor of Pleasant Hill, from January 1974 through December 1977. He was a member of the City Council and Plan and Zoning Commission. He was also chair of the City Hall Study Committee. Dick coached baseball teams for the Highland Park and Pleasant Hill Little Leagues.

During retirement, Dick volunteered at Pleasant Hill Elementary School, mostly helping young students with reading and writing. One young adult, upon hearing about Dick’s passing, commented that “I’d still be in first grade if it wasn’t for (Dick).”

Dick became interested in the genealogy of his family while helping a grandson with a school project. Dick traced the Delk family line back to 1625 when Roger Dilke arrived in North America.

Dick was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and for many years, traveled to the Windy City to see the team. He and Joyce introduced their grandchildren to the Cubs by taking each one to a game at Wrigley Field. Dick was also a big supporter of Drake University’s athletic teams, particularly the women’s and men’s basketball teams.

A few days before Dick’s passing, he was asked how he wanted to be remembered. “Our family is a rock … solid,” he said. “Our foundation … it’s strong. It’s Jesus.” Dick was an active member of the former Gatchel United Methodist Church in Des Moines and in 1996, became a member of Oakwood United Methodist Church in Pleasant Hill. He was Oakwood’s treasurer for several years and a member of the administrative board.

Dick is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children Kathy (Richard) Bolten; Patti Miller and Brian (Debbie) Delk; his grandchildren Jeremy Miller; Tim (Stephanie), Elizabeth, and Ben Bolten; Madison and Ian Delk; and great-grandchildren Odin, Barrett and Torin Miller, and Lucy and Everly Bolten. He is also survived by his brother Jim (Grace) Delk of Racine, Wisc. and several nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings.

Visitation will be from to 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 at Oakwood United Methodist Church, 400 N.E. 56th St. in Pleasant Hill. The visitation will be followed by a celebration of life service at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon will be served immediately after the service. (The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at www.oakwoodlife.org.) Following the luncheon, burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials honoring Dick be made to Oakwood United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Midwest in Johnston, Iowa.

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