Michael, Richard K.

Richard K. Michael, 88, of Iowa City, died Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Solon Nursing Care Center. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. The Rev. Michael Phillips will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City, where a K of C rosary will begin at 1:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 4 p.m. Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

Richard was born March 16, 1925, near Hills, Iowa, to parents Walter and Agnes (Rummelhart) Michel. He grew up on a farm near Hills and attended grade school and junior high at St. Joseph in Hills, where he received the highest score in Johnson County on the 8th grade aptitude test. He attended St. Mary's in Iowa City and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Iowa City in 1944. In high school he participated in Boys State.

He attended the University of Iowa before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He entered the service in 1944 as a Seaman 1st Class and trained at Herzl College, Chicago, Gulf Port, Miss., and the Fleet Training Center in Oahu, Hawaii. Richard served aboard ships as a Radar Man 3rd Class in the Pacific Theatre until he was honorably discharged July 3, 1946. He kept in contact with his fellow serviceman and hosted a reunion in the Amana Colonies for his fellow shipmates who served on PC579.

He married Frances Beenen on Feb. 8, 1952, at St. Wenceslaus Church in Iowa City.

Richard enjoyed his career in the U.S. Postal Service in Iowa City from February 1947, including service as assistant postmaster, until his retirement in July 1980. During his career at the U.S. Postal Service, he served as president of the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Postal Supervisors.

Richard is survived by his wife, Frances Michael; daughters, Barbara Dietz (Bryan) of Iowa City, Pamela Tanaka (Richard) Hopkins of Minnesota, Susan Michael, Patricia Michael and Jana Michael, all of Iowa City; son, Robert (Cathy Zaharis) of Iowa City; grandchildren, Molly and Sara Dietz, Jennifer Dietz Castillo (Anthony), Michael (fiancee Courtney Delvaux), Jeffrey and Randall Tanaka, Lauren Michael O'Neil (Dan) and Gregory Richard Michael. He is also survived by his brother, Norbert “Mike” Michel, and sister, Mary Jean Kessler, both of Iowa City.

He was looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild in July.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Donald “Doc” Michel.

He was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, card playing, the Chicago Cubs, and the Hawkeyes, having sold tickets at athletic events for many years. He especially cherished Sunday nights grilling dinner in the driveway with his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Wenceslaus in Iowa City, Iowa City Hospice and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Holden Cancer Center.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

The words Richard chose to live by, “Never Up, Never In.”

Published May 11, 2013 in The Gazette