Richard “Dick” Dvorak

Richard “Dick” Dvorak

Cedar Rapids

Richard “Dick” Dvorak, 96, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Friday, June 30, 2023. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 7, at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. A private burial will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery on Monday, July 10.

Dick is survived by his wife of 68 years, Phyllis; children, Craig (Laurie), Jill, Lisa and Kent; grandchildren, Jennifer Dvorak and Travis Powers, Ashley and Brock Dvorak, Nicholas and Natalie Dvorak; great-grandchildren, Rhiana, Kaiden and Makai.

Dick was born Oct. 6, 1926, in Mount Vernon, Iowa, the son of Edward and Agnes (Novak) Dvorak. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1944. Dick attended Cornell College and Iowa State University in the field of Mechanical Engineering. He served in the Army Reserve and received an Honorable Discharge. On May 21, 1955, he married Phyllis Redeker at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

Dick was employed at Century Engineering and later Iowa Manufacturing retiring in 1989. He was a director of IMCU, Iowa Manufacturing Employees Credit Union, and served as President from 1964-1966. He was Chairman of the Board of the Cedar Rapids Employees Credit Union in 1987 and 1988.

Dick was a charter member of Saint Pius X Catholic Church where he served as an usher for over 60 years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 909 where he had served as Past Grand Knight. Dick was also a Sir Knight in the Fourth Degree Bowen General Assembly and had served the Assembly as a Past Faithful Navigator. He had participated for many years in the K of C Tootsie Roll fund raising campaign for Discovery Village. For a number of years, Dick organized for friends and fellow knights a coach bus trip annually to an Iowa Football away game. Dick would see to it that each participant had a game ticket, hotel accommodations and transportation along with beverages. A good time was enjoyed by all in attendance.

Dick was a member of the American Legion, the Travel Protection Association and a social member of the Cadets of Saint George Branch 45 Catholic Workman.

For many years, Dick was a regular blood donor and also helped with Habitat for Humanity.

In his spare time Dick enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards and working jigsaw puzzles.

Dick’s family would like to extend a special thank-you to his friends, Don Freeberg, Roger Ambrose, neighbor Andy Goodrich and Father Jon Seda for all their help during the tough times and throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Discovery Village or Catholic Charities in memory of Dick Dvorak.