Stimple, Richard 'Dick'

Richard “Dick” Stimple, 75, of Superstition Mountain, Ariz., formerly of Cedar Rapids, went to heaven on Jan. 26, 2013, after a mercifully brief battle with cancer. Dick leaves a legacy of love and treasured memories with his wife, Julie, his three children, two stepchildren, their spouses, and grandchildren: Laura and Tim Schmidt of Chester, N.J., Courtney King and husband, Chris, Zack and Carley Schmidt; Doug, Gwen, Sam and Jack Stimple of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Drew, Brenda, Kelsey and Bradley Stimple of Bolingbrook, Ill.; David, Sunshine, Conall and Brooks Coppock of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Peter Coppock of Scottsdale, Ariz. He is also survived by his two prized Dachshunds, Otto and Lillian. Dick was preceded in death by Lynne Stimple, his first wife and mother of his three children.

Dick was born on July 9, 1937, in Geneva, Ill., and graduated from Duke University and attended John Marshall Law School. He began a 35-year career with the Quaker Oats Company in 1958, and proceeded to work in several locales, including 12 years as Plant Manager at Quaker's Cedar Rapids, Iowa, facility from 1976-1988. During that tenure, Dick held numerous leadership roles within the community, including membership on the board of directors of Junior Achievement, Cedar Rapids Country Club and Merchants National Bank, as well as serving as a Trustee for Coe College and as President of the Chamber of Commerce. Dick subsequently relocated to Chicago, Ill., serving as a Vice President for Quaker at the company headquarters. He retired from Quaker in 1993.

In retirement, Dick and Julie enjoyed time spent in Savannah, Ga., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Superstition Mountain, Ariz. Their life together emphasized relationships with friends and family. He enjoyed golf, good books, crossword puzzles, his dogs, ESPN, and good conversation. The family is comforted in knowing that they will meet up with Dick again one day and that, in the interim, the collective wit and humor of heaven has been elevated.

In keeping with Dick's wishes, the family will be observing private memorial services.

His family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the devoted health care providers at Banner Medical, MD Anderson, and Hospice of the Valley for their compassionate efforts during his illness, and also would like to acknowledge the unwavering support of his and Julie's friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that anyone interested may make a contribution in his memory to either the American Cancer Society or your local Humane Society.

Published Jan. 29, 2013 in The Gazette