Richard Oberfoell

RICHARD OBERFOELL Iowa City Richard J. Oberfoell, 46, of Iowa City, formerly of Dubuque, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at University of Iowa Hospital's Palliative Care Unit, after a nine-year battle with a rare cancer, ethesioneuroblastoma. A memorial service to celebrate Rich's life will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College St., Iowa City. Visitation is from 1 to 3 p.m. followed by the service. On Sunday, Feb. 15, visitation will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m., followed by Mass at Holy Spirit Parish (Holy Ghost Church), 2921 Central Ave., Dubuque. A private burial service will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery the following day. Richard was born at Xavier Hospital on July 25, 1968, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Albert M. Oberfoell and Carol M. (Timmerman) Oberfoell. Rich was a graduate of Dubuque's Wahlert High School and Loras College. He earned a master's degree in learning and teaching from DePaul University in Chicago and a master's degree in school administration from the University of Iowa, where he had also earned his ESL certification. During college, he studied abroad at the University of Madrid, Spain. After college, he spent six months in Mexico, learning its culture and language and then volunteered for a year teaching inner-city children at Amate House in Chicago. Then began Rich's international teaching career: five years in Valencia, Venezuela; and three years in Chinhae, South Korea, where he first met and then married SunHee Cho on March 30, 2003. They settled in Iowa City and he began teaching at West Liberty's middle school, a dual language school in Spanish and English. His colleagues were a constant support to him during his many surgeries and times away from school for treatment. Rich greatly loved his family and friends, his students and his church and he had a great heart for justice. A highlight of his life was attending a Christmas party at the White House, an invitation he and SunHee received because of his tireless work on President Obama's re-election campaign. He had a passion for teaching and a love for the profession. Rich's energy was contagious, his courage was inspiring and his joy could fill the room. He also enjoyed politics and sports, especially his Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Bulls, Cubs and the St. Louis Rams. Rich's fight to live lasted so long because of his love for his son, Xavier. He coached Xavier's soccer team and was a Cub Scout leader. A week before his passing the family shared a trip to Disney World. He did all this and much more to create memories for Xavier. Rich is survived by his parents; his wife, SunHee and son, Xavier, of Iowa City; his brother, a sister, a niece and nephews, Gary A. (Katie) and Sara and Brady of Pewaukee, Wis., and Beth A. (John) Suehr and Aiden and Tristen of Palatine, Ill. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and recently by his aunt, Rosemary V. Timmerman; and brother, Paul, who passed away Oct. 5, 2014. Rosemary and Paul light the way for him. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at the UI Hospital and the Palliative Care Unit who were a constant support to Rich and the family throughout his long journey. In memory of Richard, an education fund for Xavier has been established at the University of Iowa Community Credit Union.