Richard "Rick" Gorden

Richard (Rick) Gorden, 79, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 19, 2024.

Rick was born February 14, 1945 in Osage, Iowa. He was a standout athlete and wrestler growing up, and graduated from Charles City High School in 1963. Rick continued his education and wrestling career in Nebraska and graduated with a degree in Education from Wayne State College in 1973.

Rick married Dianne Sullivan at Sacred Heart church in Waterloo, Iowa in October of 1970. They made their home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where they then started their family. Rick and Dianne moved their family to Des Moines in 1978 where they have lived ever since.

Rick was passionate about doing everything he could to help his wife and his children. He loved spending quality time with his family, and of course, tending to his treasured garden. He also loved riding his tractor and tending to his yard.

Rick worked for Greyhound Lines as a driver for over 30 years. He also served as the union representative where he earned the respect of people for his toughness, brutal honesty, and integrity. He retired from Greyhound and continued to work for Burlington Trailways until fully retiring in 2012.

Rick enjoyed retirement by spending time with his family, fishing, riding his Harley Davidson Softail, and fixing just about anything you can imagine. He loved to meet good friends at Price Chopper, which they called “The Club” for breakfast, a coffee, or a soda. He was one of the most generous people you could ever meet with his most precious commodity -- his time. He selflessly helped family members, friends, and neighbors with projects, auto maintenance, yard work, gardening, and of course, fixing anything. Retirement couldn’t slow Rick down. He even sided his own home and completely gutted and remodeled the interior by himself.

Rick knew no strangers striking up conversations or cracking jokes with anyone he bumped into at the store, restaurant, gas station, or anywhere he might have had a chance to make a meaningful encounter with someone that needed to have a bright spot in their day. He might have even offered them a sugar-free wintergreen mint, which was always kept in his pockets. His grandchildren were the most common recipients of his coveted stash of mints.

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Dianne; son, Scott Gorden (Nicole) of Clive; daughters, Amy Gorden (Ron Walker) of Des Moines and Jennifer Jones (Adam) of Urbandale, and 7 grandchildren; Aliesa, Naomi, Olivia, Tanner, Cameron, Quinlan, and little Lauren.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024 at The Sherwood Forest Event Center at 7400 Hickman Road in Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324. Drop in anytime, have something to eat, come casually as you are, and feel free to share a story about Rick.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to The Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Iowa in Rick’s name.

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