Pooley, Richard Patten 1915-1950

POOLEY, GRAHAM

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/7/2014 at 17:56:16

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register

DICK POOLEY'S
BRAVE FIRGHT FOPR
LIFE IS OVER

Death Comes
Sunday Evening After
A Lingering Illness

Richard Patten Pooley, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.J. Pooley of Grinnell reached the end of a gallant but futile fight for life Sunday evening when he died in the hospital in Lincoln, Ill. He was only 35 years old. A year ago his happy, active life as librarian and dean of Lincoln college was interrupted by an attack of rheumatic fever and as a result a heart condition developed which made recovery impossible, although everything that medical skill could suggest was done for him.

Mr. Pooley left for Lincoln this morning to attend the funeral. Burial will be made there.

A GRINNELL BOY

Richard Pooley was born in Grinnell, May 19, 1915,and grew to manhood here. He attended the Grinnell schools, graduating from Grinnell high school and from Grinnell college in 1937. During his student days he rendered a very helpful and appreciated service as a reporter for The Grinnell Herald. He always accepted assignments cheerfully and filled them efficiently.

FIVE YEARS IN ARMY

For a year following his graduation he remained in Grinnell as assistant to Dean Shelton L. Beatty, and then accepted a position as admissions counselor for Stevens college in Columbia, Mo., interviewing prospective students in the Pacific northwest. He held this position until the outbreak of World War II, when he entered the army and served five years in the adjutant general's department, being stationed most of the time in Washington, D.C. After his discharge with the rank of captain he took two years of post graduate work at the University of Michigan as preparation for college librarian's work, receiving his Master of Arts degree.

He went to Lincoln college to organize its library and also had a large part in the college administration during his two years of service, acting for part of the time in the capacity of college president.

A HAPPY MARRIAGE

On April 4, 1943, he was untied in marriage with Phyllis Graham, whom he had met while she was acting as counselor at Stevens college, of which she is a graduate. They had a happy life together and are the parents of a little son, Sammy Graham.

Besides his devoted wife and infant son, Mr. Pooley is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.J. Pooley and two brothers, John of Cleveland, Ohio, a former member of the Grinnell college faculty, and Ralston of Des Moines.

Dick was a young man of winning personality, of great capacity for friendship and of unusual promise. News of his untimely death brings deep sadness to a wide circle of friends.