Thursday 28th March 2024

Richard W. “Dick” Dougherty died peacefully Nov 13, 2021, with a son at his side, in the care of the Iowa River Hospice Home after a valiant 5 year long battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer vigil at 7:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, November 23 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi – St. Henry Catholic Church with burial and lunch to follow.

Dick was born Jan 17, 1937 to David and Elsie (Lair) Dougherty at St. Thomas Hospital in Marshalltown. His birth was later followed by brothers Lawrence, Gerald, and Robert. He was a lifelong Marshalltown resident. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic school K-12, where he excelled in his studies and basketball, graduating in 1955. Dick enlisted in the US Army at Fort Des Moines Feb 16, 1959. During his service, while later stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, he was selected and honored to serve as chauffeur to former President Harry Truman in Kennedy’s inauguration parade. After his service, Dick worked at Fisher and retired after 33 years there.

Dick met Beverly Donelson of Clarinda, then later Scranton, Iowa, and they were married on a very cold Jan 12, 1963. They were happily married for nearly 56 years when Beverly passed away in November of 2019. To this union were born four sons: Randall W. Dougherty of Gilman, Brett A. (Pamela) Dougherty of rural Laurel, Todd P. (Brenda) Dougherty of Marshalltown, and Troy R. Dougherty of Ames. Dick was a dedicated and loving husband and father, working hard to provide a stable home and everything his family needed to thrive.

Dick has four grandchildren:  Enya (Hunter) Faulk of Virginia, Noah of Colorado, Grace of Cedar Falls, and Francis (Kalib) Owens of Waterloo. He also has five step-grandchildren: Taylor (Alexis) Ashburn, Kelly (Jeremy) Kohrs, Evan (Emilee) Jorgensen, Melissa (Chad) Koch and John Rhodes. Dick is also survived by two great-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren.

Dick was a lifelong member of St. Francis parish. He loved sports- both playing various games in his younger days, and watching them later- especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. His biggest passion in sport, however, was running. He ran a good part of his life. Beginning with 5K’s and working up from there. The pinnacle came in his late fifties when he ran in four different marathons. He came out of retirement at 73 to run two more 5K’s just to prove he could still do it.

Dick and Beverly took many trips together, many of them to Nevada, after they were retired. They even made it to Hawaii once.

After receiving the Last Rites of the Church on November 12, Dick whispered “I’m all set to go.” He passed away in the early hours of the next morning.

Dick is survived by his sons and their families, his brother Gerald, three sisters-in-law, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice or Food For The Poor.  Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Dick and his family. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

 

  • Lovingly written by the family