Richard C. "Dick" Taylor 1933 - 2008

TAYLOR, DICRENFELD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/30/2019 at 20:29:12

Sioux City Journal
9 November 2008

Richard C. "Dick" Taylor, 75, prominent retired banker and financial adviser, passed away at his home on Nov. 7, 2008, following a brief illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Faith Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with Pastor Ralph Shorey officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, with family present 5 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Dick was born on April 16, 1933, to Frederick and Pauline Taylor on a farm near Odebolt, Iowa. He graduated from Odebolt High School in May 1951. He was very proud to have been a lineman on the undefeated Odebolt Trojan football teams of 1949 and 1950. He also served as president of Odebolt High's Future Farmers of America.

On July 26, 1953, Dick married Jeannette L. Dicrenfeld of Wall Lake, Iowa. They farmed near Odebolt until he was drafted. He served in the Army of the Occupation from January 1954 through December 1955, including nine months of service in Germany, and attained the rank of corporal.

After his discharge, Dick returned to Iowa. He began his banking career with Kiron State Bank in 1956, and then served as a bank examiner for the Iowa Banking Department. Dick joined First National Bank in Sioux City in April 1961, advancing to roles of increasing responsibility until his election to president in 1973, a position he held until his retirement in 1984. During his tenure, Dick continued to build his expertise. He graduated from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and completed Harvard University's Senior Bank Officers School.

He also oversaw the construction of a new bank, which is in use today. In working with the architect and the Board of Directors, he was committed not only to modernizing the facility (becoming, for example, the first bank in Sioux City to install ATM machines) but also to preserving historically significant features of the old building, including its distinctive limestone pillars. After retiring from the bank, Dick embarked on a second career. He joined Piper Jaffray as a financial adviser and was promoted to assistant manager of the Sioux City office prior to his final retirement in the early 1990s.

Dick was not only an astute businessman, but was actively involved in giving back to the community he loved. He was president of the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce and Siouxland Banker's Association and served on the boards of the Industrial Development Council, Tax Research Conference, Iowa Small Business Advisory Council, YMCA and Briar Cliff College. He also was on the Industrial Administration Advisory Council of Iowa State University.

Dick made it a point to balance work with fun and family. He loved sports, especially golf. He not only served on the Board of the Sioux City Country Club, but also excelled at the game, sinking five holes-in-one and earning many first-place finishes in golf tournaments. He had many happy times with his golfing buddies.

Above all, Dick and Jeannette loved family gatherings. They particularly enjoyed the times they could spend with their four children and five grandchildren. For years, their goal was to overcome busy schedules and get everyone together for a family vacation. That goal was met twice when they all met at the Wisconsin Dells to celebrate Dick and Jeannette's 50th and 55th wedding anniversaries.

Dick is survived by his wife, Jeannette; daughter and son-in-law, LuAnn and Steve Johnson of Rochester, Minn.; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Mary Taylor of Denver, Colo.; daughter, Kimberly McGarry of Sioux City; son, Scott Taylor of Omaha, Neb.; five grandchildren, Karissa and Stephanie Johnson, Evyn and Sydney Taylor and Jason Taylor; a brother and sister-in-law, Don and Diane Taylor of Austin, Texas; a sister and brother-in-law, Dan and Jane Snyder of Odebolt, Iowa; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister, Paula Catherine Taylor.

Memorials may be directed to the Taylor family, Hospice of Siouxland, Faith Lutheran Church or a charity of choice