Richard Young

RICHARD YOUNG

Iowa City

Richard Alexander Young (Dick), 91, of Oaknoll Retirement Residence, Iowa City, and a lifetime farmer in the North Liberty area, died peacefully Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, surrounded by his family.

Richard was born Nov. 5, 1922, with his twin, Robert C. (Bob) Young, on the Young family farm, near North Liberty, to William Alexander and Sarah (Hastings) Young. He grew up in the North Liberty area and attended school at the local one-room country schoolhouse. He often told stories of milking 50 cows by hand before the farm got electricity and a milking machine. Richard graduated from Iowa City High School in 1940. Later, he attended Iowa State University for several winter semesters, before returning to farm the family farm full-time during War War II.

On Aug. 12, 1945, he married his long-time sweetheart, Grace Larew and they had three children, Bill (Mary) Young, North Liberty, Joan (Tom) Ambrose, Wilmette, Ill., and Dr. Robert A. Young (Andrea Jensen), Ann Arbor, Mich. He was the foundation to his family and a very devoted husband.

He is also survived by three grandchildren, Margaret Young, Dan Ambrose and Sarah Ambrose; one brother, Bruce H. Young, of Yakima, Wash.; and loving sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, W. Culver Young, twin Robert C. Young and Wilbur W. Young; and most recently, by his oldest son, William (Bill) Richard Young, North Liberty.

Richard was an active community member before retiring from farming. He owned and operated the Young Insurance Agency. He served on the Johnson County Mutual Insurance Association board of directors and was past president of the Northwestern Mutual Insurance Association board of directors. He served as a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, where he was a longtime member. He was a 50-year member of the Iowa Masons, following his father, W. Alexander Young. Richard was also a 50-year member of the Kaaba Shriners International, Davenport.

He became a member of the Iowa City Noon Rotary in addition to being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. In addition to helping the North Liberty Civic Center grow with a starting donation, he served on the North Liberty Community Center Task Force and Steering Committee and was a past president of the North Liberty Optimist Club. Richard was recognized with numerous community service awards and always enjoyed helping others.

The Young family wishes to express its deep appreciation to the University Hospitals and Clinics for the wonderful and high quality care given to Richard during the past few years. We wish to specifically extend our gratitude to Dr. Chris Goerdt and his staff for the many years of excellent care given to Dad and our mother, Grace. We also want to express our appreciation to all staff members at the Oaknoll Retirement Community and to the Iowa City Hospice for their care during the final weeks of his life. We are deeply grateful to all of you.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the First Presbyterian Church, Iowa City, with the Rev. Sam Massey officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Private family committal services will be at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church or Iowa City Hospice.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com.