Olmstead, Richard

Richard D. Olmstead, 72, of 295 27th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, in St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services:

10:30 a.m., Monday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Ed Powers. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou; daughters, Christine (Dan) Phebus of Aurora, Colo., and Bonnie (Robert) Alles of Cheyenne, Wyo.; grandchildren, Evan and Jamie Phebus and Kaylee and Jarod Alles; brother, Allan (Barb) Olmstead of Colorado; sisters, Vicki Murphy of Hiawatha and Kay Wente of Waterloo; stepmother, Eleanor Murphy of Mount Vernon; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; his dogs Patches and Lucky and his bird Fred.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Frank and Marjorie Bebber; and stepfather, Elmer Murphy.

Born July 29, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Richard was the son of Darwin and Alice “Sally” Olmstead. In 1957, he graduated from Springville High School. On Oct. 29, 1960, in Cedar Rapids, he was united in marriage to Betty Lou Bales. Richard was an inspector for the DOT for 6 1/2 years and then retired after 35 years from the Cedar Rapids School District.

Richard was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and the Wednesday Morning Coffee Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, walking his dogs and visiting with neighbors. He was the SW side tomato champion and an avid Hawkeye and Rough Rider fan.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Cedar Valley Humane Society, 7411 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.

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