Richard Larew

RICHARD LAREW

Iowa City

Richard E. Larew died Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Mercy Hospital Hospice, surrounded by loving family members. A memorial service will be 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Gary Burnett officiating. The family will greet friends after 3 p.m. and a time of fellowship will follow the service.

Dick was born Nov. 12, 1930, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Telford and Irene Tadlock Larew. He attended the University of Iowa pre-school, elementary and high school, where he was senior class president, graduating in 1948. He was awarded a four-year National Association of Plumbing Contractors scholarship and merit scholarship to attend the University of Iowa College of Engineering. He studied under the mentorship of Dean F.M. Dawson. He graduated with a B.S. degree in 1953 and married Louise Bekman in December 1951. They met while singing in the choir of First Presbyterian Church (now Old Brick).

After graduation he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for two years with duty assignments in Colo-rado, Korea and Japan.

Following his tour of duty he and his brother, Eugene, owned and operated a design and construction company, Red Ball Engineering, from 1955 to 1971. He was a licensed professional engineer (architectural, civil mechanical) and land surveyor.

In 1971, Dick returned to the University of Iowa for further education. He received his M.S. degree and Ph.D. in industrial and management engineering in 1973 and 1975.

In 1975, he joined the faculty of the Ohio State University College of Civil and Environmental Engineering. There he developed the construction management program. He initiated and taught many innovative courses in this field of study and advised countless senior undergraduates and graduate students.

Dick served on national committees of several professional societies, including the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers and Project Management Institute.

He was a construction consultant and an expert witness for 30 years.

Over the years Dick was active in Boy Scouts – he was a Scout himself and served as scoutmaster for Troop 218, First Presbyterian Church, from 1966 to 1971. He led the troop on a trip to the Boundary Waters and guided them as they prepared and hosted a pig roast for families and friends.

After retiring from OSU in 1996, he and Louise returned to Iowa City. He became active in the noon Rotary Club, became a Paul Harris Fellow, rejoined First Presbyterian Church and served on the development council of the University of Iowa College of Engineering and the advisory committee of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Dick's greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed attending athletic events, concerts, plays, recitals and graduations, where his children and grandchildren participated.

Dick's memory will be treasured by his survivors: his wife, Louise; his sons, Dr. Richard E.B. Larew (Ann) and James C. Larew (Mary); his daughter, Elizabeth G. Frost (Scott); his 12 grandchildren: Mary (Sam Southgate), David, James, Matthew, Jean Louise, Teddy, Daniel and Grace Larew, Ryan (Melanie), Julie, Ashley and Katie Frost; one great-grandson, James; one nephew and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be directed to the Regina Foundation for the Regina Boys Soccer Program or to the College of Engineering Student Aid Fund at the University of Iowa Foundation (University of Iowa, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244).

Online condolences may be sent to the family at

www.lensingfuneral.com.