Richard Eidemiller

RICHARD EIDEMILLER

Cedar Rapids

Richard A. Eidemiller, 93, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at Bickford Cottage, Marion. A funeral service celebrating Dick's life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with Cedar Memorial Certified Celebrant Jim Parton officiating. Entombment, with military rites, will be at Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the chapel.

Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Gloria; children, John (Linda) Eidemiller of Ames, Jill (Dave) Gustafson of Cambridge, Ill., and Joe (Alice) Eidemiller of Naples, Maine; brother, Allan (Grace) Eidemiller of Laurium, Mich.; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Moni Erickson.

Richard Adams Eidemiller was born Sept. 29, 1921, in Golf, Ill., the son of Howard and Marguerite (Adams) Eidemiller. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. On March 2, 1943, he married Gloria S. Swanson in Stockton, Calif.

Dick was a man of several interests and abilities. Some of his many endeavors were a B29 pilot in World War II, owning a Harley Davidson dealership and a photography studio in his early years in northern Michigan. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1951 to work for 41 years for Collins Radio Co., where he received several awards for his contribution to the Apollo Space program, until retiring in 1992.

He was an avid woodworker and carpenter with impeccable skills where he used his skills on building their home in Cedar Rapids and cottage at Manitowish Waters, Wis., which they have owned for over 43 years.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedar memorial.com under "obituaries."