Richard Swacka

RICHARD JAMES SWACKA

Cedar Rapids

Richard James Swacka of Cedar Rapids, who recently turned 89 in spirit, passed away March 27, 2021. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. A private family service will be held at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with burial following at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A livestream of this service can be viewed at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 1. The service can be viewed on the Cedar Memorial website under the obituary for Richard Swacka.

Following the continued guidance from health officials, physical distancing must be practiced, which requires a limited number of people allowed into the visitation at one time. The use of face masks or shields is required.

Richard was born March 30, 1932, to Charles and Mary (Kovarik) Swacka in Spillville, Iowa. After graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean conflict. When he returned home, he married the love of his life, Creta Phillips, on Nov. 12, 1961. Richard worked at Rockwell Collins as a drill press operator and gave 32 years of service until he retired in 1987.

In retirement, Richard had many hobbies that he enjoyed. He enjoyed woodworking, painting, going to the casino, traveling throughout the U.S. and cheering on the Cubs and Hawkeyes, whom he and his wife followed yearly. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his family.

Richard is survived by his special niece, Betty (Randy) Schultz; and nephews and niece, Larry, Denny and Sharen; great-nieces and nephews; great-great-nephews; stepdaughters, Carole and Linda; and stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by wife, Creta Swacka; his parents; and his siblings, whom he missed greatly and visited regularly.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.