Simpson, Richard E. (Dick) (d. 1926)

SIMPSON, STADER, PLUDE

Posted By: Jan Bony (email)
Date: 11/22/2018 at 15:57:00

Des Moines

Richard (Dick) E. Simpson died peacefully on January 2, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born on January 22, 1926, the last of eight children of Ole and Carrie (Stader) Simpson. He graduated from East High School (June 1944) and attended Drake University. Dick served in the Army Air Corp. during WWII.

While at East H.S., with a wink Dick won the heart of Beverly Plude, the love of his life. They were married on May 31, 1946, and bless with four daughters.

Dick followed his father and brother Glenn into the Lathers Local No. 8 and later the Carpenters Local No. 106, where he had a long career and helped build many of the buildings that make up the Des Moines' skyline. He retired from Allied Construction in 1988. Dick was also an active member of Simpson United Methodist Church, serving on numerous boards over the years.

Dick was intelligent, witty, resourceful, patriotic and a "softie" when it came to his family. A life-long East sider, when he had free time, he could be found golfing at Grandview golf course, where he twice scored a hole-in-one.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bev; his daughters Candy (Dave) Bair of Des Moines, Judy (Rick) Pertzborn of West Des Moines,Penni (Mike) McKinley of Ames, and Barb (Rick) Blane of West Des Moines. He is also survived by his grandchildren" Jennifer Pertzborn Moulton, Sarah Pertzborn Powell, Erik Bair, Matthew Pertzborn, Allison Bair, Anne Pertzborn Schapman, Ryan Blane, Keyea Meyer Fowles and Cory Blane, as well as nineteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Hamilton's Funeral Home, E. 6th and Lyon, Des Moines, on Friday, January 9, 2015, from 4 - 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Simpson United Methodist Church, E. 26th and Capitol, Des Moines, on Saturday, January 10,2015 at 11 a.m. Interment of cremaines will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Dick to Simpson United Methodist Church or John Stoddard Cancer Center, Inpatient Unit - Powell 3, 1415 Woodland Avenue, Ste. E-200, Des Moines, IA 50309.