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Richard Chelikowsky
RICHARD D. CHELIKOWSKY
Cedar Rapids
The family of Richard Chelikowsky sadly announces his passing on July 8, 2016. A memorial service will be held at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, with a visitation on Tuesday, July 12, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Pastors Paul and Gayle Wilcox will officiate.
Richard Dale Chelikowsky was born in Manhattan, Kan., on Feb. 10, 1939, to Helen and Joe Chelikowsky. He attended elementary through high school in Manhattan. He was an Eagle Scout.
His hobby of amateur radio led to a B.S. degree in electrical engineering at Kansas State University in 1961 and an M.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1962.
Richard married Jeanne Booth, also of Manhattan, on May 28, 1961. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1962, when Richard was employed by Collins Radio. He remained at what became Rockwell Collins until his retirement in 1996. He felt particularly privileged to have worked on the communication system of the Apollo space program in those early years.
Richard and Jeanne were blessed with three children: Marie, Laura and John. He put his wife and children above all else.
Dick enjoyed outdoor activities; he ran in 13 marathons, biked in 20 RAGBRAIs, and completed every one. He and Jeanne loved camping and wintering in Florida, where he played tennis.
He was a longtime member of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and more recently, helped coach the before- and after-school Lego League program.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his mother, Helen Chelikowsky of Florida; his three children, Marie of Lincoln, Neb., Laura Mackey (and husband Bob) of Rutherfordton, N.C., and John (and wife Toni) of Hopkins, Minn.; his grandchildren, Nathan and Elizabeth Mackey and Zach Chelikowsky; his brother, Jim (and wife Ellen) of Austin, Texas; his sister-in-law, Rebecca (and husband George) of Tampa, Fla.; and four nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joe.
Instead of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Lovely Lane United Methodist Church (www.lovelylane.org/giving-to-lovely-lane) or Linn County Trail Association (http://linncountytrails.org/support).
Please leave a message or tribute to the Chelikowsky family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com, under Obituaries.
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