Richard Cummings

RICHARD DUANE CUMMINGS

Cedar Rapids

1/13/1938 - 4/14/2016

A husband, father and grandfather has answered the call of the Father. On April 14, 2016, the spirit of Richard Duane Cummings took flight. His life mission is closed.

He leaves a wife of 50 years, Janice Marie Cummings; a son, Ian Ross (Isabelle Andree) Cummings; two grandchildren, Christophe Jean Cummings and Alyson Jeannette Cummings; one brother, Max Robert (Janice Lewis) Cummings of Ames; one nephew, Ryan Robert (Andrea) Cummings; one niece, Jennifer Marie Cummings; a sister, Debra Sue Makidon; and his beloved basset hounds, Norman and Gracie.

Richard "Dick" was born Jan. 13, 1938, in Winterset, Iowa, the first son of Hampton Robert and Flossie Mae Cummings. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1956, served his country in the Air Force for four years, and later graduated from UNI with a master's degree in business education. Dick was an associate professor of business education at College of Lake County in Lake County, Ill., for 25 years until retiring in 1994. He also wrote two salesmanship textbooks, worked for many years with the B.S.A. as a Webelos leader, built a log home from "trees" (which took 10 years), and he and Janice traveled extensively in the United States and Canada in their Airstream trailer, having belonged to WBCCI (the Airstream club) for 27 years.

Dick's life work has ended. He has accomplished his allotted task and now goes to his reward. The years allotted to him by the Master were 78 full ones in his Vineyard. Dick was of exemplary Christian character, and set an example of helping others, especially the musicians in the many bands Janice has been associated with over their 50 years of marriage.

He was always off stage helping to carry equipment and set up and tear down and keep everyone supplied with music, allowing the musicians to bring the joy of music to hundreds of people over the years.

And now Dick's beloved family lays him away to his eternal rest, and trusts that the All Father keeps him in his loving care. *Rewritten by Janice from the original obituary of Janice's maternal grandmother, Ruth Marie Stormes, which was printed in "The American Journal of General News," Clinton, Iowa, on Friday, Dec. 9, 1921.

As per Dick's wishes, there will be no visitation or public funeral. His immediate family will hold a private graveside service at Springdale Cemetery in Clinton, with Pape Funeral Home of Clinton assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, memorials may be directed to the family, and they will in turn purchase musical instruments and equipment to be donated to and used for the music therapy program at Mercy's Hallmar Care Center in Cedar Rapids, where Janice has been a volunteer for the last two years.

The family is grateful for the loving care given by all the nursing, support staff and doctors at Mercy Medical Center and Hospice of Mercy.

Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.