Richard "Dick" L. Mesmer 1931 - 2018

LEBECK, MESMER, GIBSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -- Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/4/2018 at 11:25:12

Sioux City Journal
28 March 2018

Sioux City

Richard "Dick" L. Mesmer, 86, of Sioux City, died Friday, March 23, 2018, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. David Koehler officiating. Military rites will be presented at the church. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Richard "Dick," the son of William and Mildred (Lebeck) Mesmer, was born on Sept. 23, 1931, in Le Mars, Iowa. Dick grew up in Sioux City and graduated from East High School in 1950. He furthered his education by attending Military Management School.

On June 2, 1951, Dick was united in marriage to Margaret "Bobbi" Gibson in Bangor, Maine. Following their marriage and during their military years, they lived in Bangor, Maine, and Alexandria, La., returning to Sioux City in December 1952. Dick was a member of the 185th from 1950 to 1985 earning the rank of senior master sergeant retiring in July 1985. After retirement, he worked part-time for United Airlines from 1986 to 1993.

Dick was a member of Third Presbyterian Church until its transition to Faith United Presbyterian Church. He was an active member and served his church well as an elder, a deacon, and a member of the choir for 50 years. He was a member of the Triangle Lodge, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1988. In 1993, he received the Scottish Rite Degree and in 2007, he was honored with a Red Hat and installed as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of the 32nd Degree of the Scottish Rite. Dick and Bobbi enjoyed spending summers in Okoboji for the last 30 years and enjoyed camping for more than 60 years.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Bobbi of Sioux City; three children, Rick (Lisa) Mesmer of Peoria, Ariz., Ron (Pennie) Mesmer of Shawnee, Kan., and Suzanne (David) LeGree of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Matthew (Sunny) LeGree, Aaron (Meagan) Mesmer, Brian (Maggie) Mesmer, Carly (Annie) Mesmer, Lindsey (Adonia) LeGree, and Shawn (Blake) LeGree; nine great-grandchildren, Madison and Thaddeus LeGree, Asher and Brooks Mesmer, Lily, Charley and Hollyn Mesmer, Anoli Smith and TaKylah Banks; one brother, Robert (Julie) Mesmer; one sister-in-law, Phyllis (Robert) Keithley; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, LeVerne and Margaret Gibson; one brother, William Mesmer; and one brother-in-law, William Gibson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dick's six grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Faith United Presbyterian Church designated for the bell fund.