Manson, Richard C.

Richard C. Manson, 85, of 1040 Juniper Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, died peacefully Friday, July 16, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, surrounded by his family. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, at St. Marks United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Gary Hoyt. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Marilyn; son, Robert of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Ann (Carl) Arbuckle of Ames; two grandchildren, Rob and Sarah; and three nephews and two nieces and their spouses.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and his daughter, Jeanne.

Born Aug. 17, 1924, in Delaware, Richard was the son of Henry and Freda (Yelden) Manson. In 1940, he graduated from Delhi High School at the age of 16. He continued his education at the Commercial Extension Business School in Omaha, Neb. He served his country in the U.S. Navy for three years performing search and rescue and serving as a flight engineer during World War II. After his military duty he attended the University of Iowa, graduating on June 10, 1949, with a bachelor's degree in business. That evening he married Marilyn Satterthwaite. He furthered his education, receiving his master's degree in business and education and worked towards his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa.

Richard was a coach and IHSAA referee, played basketball at the University of Iowa and was an avid baseball player, playing on the original Field of Dreams. Richard was a coach, teacher and principal at Braddyville, principal and superintendent of schools at Fontanelle, high school principal at Fairfield, and in Cedar Rapids was assistant principal at Roosevelt Junior High and principal at Franklin Junior High, Wilson Junior High and Kenwood Elementary. He taught business subjects at Jefferson High School until his retirement from school district work. He was very supportive and caring to teachers, staff, students and parents in his work.

Richard spent his retirement years caring for his daughter Jeanne until she passed away.

Richard was a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church, NEA, and a bridge group. He was a board member of the Brain Injury Association of East Central Iowa and a committee member of MHDD of Linn County. He coached baseball, basketball and track, umpired baseball and refereed basketball. Richard was a good pinochle and bridge player and excellent writer. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and as an avid Cub fan he frequently traveled to Wrigley Field.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Richard's memory to St. Marks United Methodist Church, 4700 Johnson Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405; Iowa Brain Injury Association of East Central Iowa, 4522 Indian Creek Rd., Marion, IA 52302, or Camp Courageous, P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA 52310.

Please sign the online guest book for Richard at under obituaries.