Dolphin, Richard 'Dick'

Richard “Dick” Dolphin, 76, of 2830 Katrina Circle, Dubuque, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, July 4, 2010, at 12:17 p.m. at Luther Manor in Dubuque. Friends and relatives of Dick may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Reiff Funeral Home, Epworth, where a wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Services for Dick will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Catholic Church, Placid, with the Rev. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Concelebrating will be Msgr. Wayne Ressler and the Rev. Joseph McDermott, SVD. Burial will be held in St. John's Cemetery in Placid, Iowa, with flag presentation by the Epworth John White Post #No. 50.

Dick was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Melvin and Clare (O'Connell) Dolphin. He attended Nativity grade school in Dubuque, Loras Academy and Loras College, where he graduated in 1958. He was a veteran of the Korean War.

He was united in marriage to Gail (McDermott) Dolphin on Sept. 9, 1961. He was employed by Midland Laboratories of Dubuque until 1983. During that time, he was appointed branch manager for then Rochester Midland Corporation in Des Moines. In 1983, he realized his dream of purchasing his own business (located in Cedar Rapids). He has always been grateful to the many loyal customers and employees for their support.

He was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather, a kind and gentle soul to all who knew him. His character was shaped by his faith, which provided guidance to him throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, Gail; four children, Sarah of Edina, Minn., Mike (Jackie), of West Des Moines, Katy, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Maggie (John Parker) of Coppell, Texas; five grandchildren, Charlie, Cate, Maddie, Jack and Abby; and siblings, Bob Dolphin of Cedar Rapids, and Norma Jean Bauman of Crystal Lake, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Clare Dolphin; brother, Don Dolphin; and sisters, Yvonne Schufman and Sister Janet Dolphin SVM.

We wish to thank the counsel of the Dubuque Alzheimer's Association, Stone Hill Adult Day Care, his companion aides, Luther Manor, and Hospice of Dubuque, for their compassionate and attentive care. We appreciate all the prayers and concern of family and friends for Dick during this journey.

A Richard J. Dolphin Memorial Fund has been established at Divine Word Seminary in Epworth, in lieu of flowers.