Wenzel, Richard Charles

Richard Charles Wenzel, 65, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Norma; his children, Paul Wenzel and David Wenzel; his mother, Marguerite Wenzel; and brother, John Wenzel.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Wenzel.

Richard was born August 25, 1945, in Wheaton, Ill., the son of Albert and Marguerite Wenzel. He received a B.A. in Economics and English from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., in 1967. He received his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1970. He married Norma J. Wenthold in 1973. While serving in the National Guard, he was the sole recipient of the American Spirit of Honor Medal for best expressing the American spirit-honor initiative, loyalty and high example to comrades in arms. He was the youngest person elected to the Linn County Board of Supervisors in 1972. He was re-elected in 1976. While in office, the Linn County Home was built. He chaired the Metro Planning Commission and served as a member of the Linn County Regional Planning Commission. He co-founded the East and Central Regional Plan Commission and Big Brothers, Big Sisters program in Cedar Rapids.

Richard is a former president of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary Club and the Linn County Chapter of American Cancer Society. He helped chair the Days for Daffodils fundraisers and served as Chair of the COMMIT anti smoking campaigns. He has served on many community boards including Boy Scouts of America, Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa, Linn County Family Law Committee, the Sixth Judicial District Department of Corrections and Community Corrections Improvement Association. He also served on the Mount Mercy University Scholarship fundraisers. He helped raise funds for the Art Museum housing of Grant Wood's artwork, and the YMCA. In addition to his elected and volunteer positions, he also has been an active member of the local Linn County Title Standards committee and Iowa State Probate Property and Trust committees.

He was a member of All Saints Church, Downtown Rotary, Cedar Rapids Country Club, Linn County Bar Association and the Chicago Art Institute. He enjoyed practicing law, viewing art exhibits, reading Victorian poetry and the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, traveling with his family, counseling his clients, and visiting Door County. He was a consummate gentleman and class act and will be missed by all who knew him.

Thanks to Father David O'Connor, Mercy Hospice, his law school friends, his law partners, fellow board members, the Washington High School community and friends who have been so supportive these past two years.

There will be a private family service.

Any memorials, contributions or condolences can be sent to 425 Second Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Donations will be made in Richard's honor to the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America and Arc of East Central Iowa.