Richard Paul Sulzbach Sr 1923 - 2016

SULZBACH, FARMER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2016 at 15:14:42

Sioux City Journal
18 October 2016

SIOUX CITY | Richard Paul Sulzbach Sr., 93, of Boynton Beach, Fla., formerly of Sioux City, died Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Boynton Beach.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Delray Beach, Fla.

Richard was born in Sioux City, on Oct. 7, 1923, and attended Sioux City community schools through graduation from Central High School. He continued his education at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa, and was employed by Buell & Winter Engineering Company on the construction of the Sioux City Air Base until it was interrupted with his enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942.

Dick graduated from flying school in the Air Corps and served as a flight instructor for a brief time. He then served as a fighter pilot until the end of World War II, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross, and was discharged honorably.

He returned to Iowa State College until graduation in August 1948 and went to work in the Engineering Department for the City of Sioux City until 1951. While working in this position, he was able to obtain his professional engineer's License.

In 1951, Dick's career was once again interrupted when he was activated by the Air National Guard and served time in England. He was released from service in 1953.

It was at this time he left employment of the city and joined his father and brothers in partnership in the Sulzbach Construction Company. In 1957, Sioux City Engineering Company was formed with Dick serving as vice president and secretary under F.P. Sulzbach as president. This was the mark of the fourth generation of Sulzbachs to be in the construction business in Sioux City starting in the 1880s.

Dick has since served as the president and CEO of Sioux City Engineering Company and was the founding president and CEO of Specialized Hauling Company in Sioux City, founded in 1963.

Dick was married to Frances Farmer in December 1945. They just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in December 2015. Four children were born of the union, Susan, Richard, Jim and Jane.

Dick had a lifelong commitment to Christ and the Church. Dick served on numerous boards of several organizations, including Sioux City Master Builders, St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Iowa Engineering Society, Iowa State University Alumni Association, Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, Associated General Contractors of Iowa, Woodbury County Draft Board, Industrial Development Council for the City of Sioux City, AGC of Iowa’s Workmen’s Compensation Trustee, Sioux City Country Club, Governor’s Judicial Nominating Committee, National Director of the AGC, American Arbitration Association, and Iowa Lottery Board.

Dick was an avid golfer and accomplished bridge player.

He is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Susan Witherell (Archer) of Omaha, Richard (Patti) of Sioux City, James (Candy) of Estes Park, Colo., and Jane Yingst (David) of Phoenix, Ariz.; a foster son, Robert Carlson (Julie) of Pendleton, Ore.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Donald Sulzbach, Robert Sulzbach and Katherine Lennon.