PHILLIPS, Richard E. 1928-2014

PHILLIPS, MCMICHAEL, MARTENS

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 11/7/2024 at 16:45:10

GOWRIE, IOWA -- Richard E. Phillips, age 85, passed away Friday, February 7, 2014 at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Ft. Dodge.

On Sunday, February 16, 2014 Masonic Rites will be at 4:30 p.m. with visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie. A luncheon for family and friends will be 12:00 noon Monday, February 17, 2014 with funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 17, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie with Pastor Jim Davis officiating.

Burial will be in the Gowrie Township Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie.

Survivors include his wife Ruby of Gowrie, daughters, Pearl Leah Dye of Des Moines, Linda Sue Wilson of Lohrville, Cindy Louise Dunne of Harcourt, and Mary Kathryn Phillips of Paton, son James Russell Phillips of Urbandale; nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; brother Rev. Dean (Roberta) Phillips of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and brother-in-law Kenneth McMichael of Maryville, Missouri.

Preceding him in death were his parents Russell and Leah (Martens) Phillips, sister Joan Taylor, infant brother, step-mother Lena Theis Phillips, and sister Darlene Johansen.

Dick was born at Platteville, Wisconsin, on February 20, 1928. He attended county and city schools in Grant and Iowa counties in Wisconsin and Butler, Cerro Gordo, Des Moines, Dubuque and Sac counties in Iowa. He graduated from Rockwell Public School in 1945.

Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in 1945, and served in the South Pacific aboard the USS Tatum APD81 where his rank was BT 3 (boilerman).

Dick married Ruby McMichael on June 1, 1952. He chose Wartburg College for his B.S. education, Univ. of MO. for his M.S. education, and IA State for his special education. Dick began his teaching career in Manilla, Iowa, in 1953, taught at St. Ansgar for nine years, and began his Administrative career in Lakota. He spent most of his career at Prairie of Gowrie and finished as Superintendent at Lakota (North Iowa) and Corwith -Wesley-LuVerne School.

In addition to his teaching and administration career, he was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Kiwanis Club, American Legion Post #431, Rose Lodge #506 and Fort Dodge Shrine Club.

Dick served in all official capacities in each of these, as well as Mayor of Gowrie from 2004 to 2012.

Memorials may be left to Zion Lutheran Church Box 63 , Gowrie, Iowa 50543, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414, or American Legion Peterson Post #431 of Gowrie, Box 135, Gowrie, Iowa 50543.

SOURCE: Palmer & Sons Funeral Home Inc.