Richard Louis Muszynski, 22 May 1947 – 09 May 2012

MUSZYNSKI, BABIAK, BURGY, HUSTON, JENNINGS, NOTT, BUTSCHI

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 5/23/2012 at 15:50:39

Richard Louis Muszynski, 64, passed away early Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at St. Luke’s Hospital, with his family by his side. The funeral service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with the Rev. Harlan Gillespie officiating. Visitation will be held at the chapel from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Rich is survived by his wife, Ruth-Ann Burgy Muszynski; a daughter, Lisa Huston and husband Dave; a son, Chad Muszynski and wife Melissa; as well as five grandchildren, Holly and Bailey Huston and Clayton, Dylan and Claire Muszynski. He is also survived by sisters, Diane Jennings and Arlene Nott; sister-in-law, Sue Butschi, and brother-in-law, Bob Butschi; as well as several nephews and a special niece.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Richard Muszynski was born May 22, 1947, to Sophia Babiak Muszynski and Louis Walter Muszynski in Philadelphia, Pa. He moved with his parents to Pompton Lakes, N.J., where he graduated from Pompton Lakes High School. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Navy Avionics Division and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. While stationed at Lemore Naval Air Station in California he met his wife, Ruth-Ann, in Fresno, Calif. They were married in Marengo, Iowa and April 5, 2012, celebrated 43 years of marriage.

Upon being honorably discharged from the Navy the couple moved to New Jersey, where Rich worked as a manager for Rite-Aid Drug Co. as well as a manager and agent for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. in New Jersey and Iowa.

From 1979 until his retirement he was the state of Iowa manager for Western Fraternal Life Insurance Association. During this time he had the honor of earning the Manager of the Year award sixteen years in a row.

During his career he was involved in many insurance organizations. Rich enjoyed his American Flyer train setup as well as collecting old toys, especially cars and trucks. He had a special talent for fixing most anything that needed repair. He also enjoyed traveling, searching for antiques, boating, fishing, reading, military history, and spending time with friends and family.

Rich will be remembered for his honesty, strong work ethic and an obsession to keep everything organized. He had an incredible sense of humor and uncanny ability to tell a good joke. As a very compassionate man, he had an unwavering devotion to his family. The center of his world was his five grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful Eastern Iowa medical staff, including Dr. McGrail and Dr. Callaghan who attended to Rich over the years.

Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published May 11, 2012 in The Gazette