Richard “Dick” Dunsworth, 88, of Long Grove, went to heaven peacefully surrounded by his loved ones, holding the hand of his great granddaughter, Sophie Snowden, on Monday December 23, 2024. The celebration of life will take place on Monday, January 6th, 11:00 am at The Runge Mortuary Chapel, with a visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow military honors.
Dick was born May 14, 1936 to William and Florence Dunsworth in Davenport. He graduated from Davenport High School where he participated in many sports; football, wrestling, and track and held the school record for pull-ups and dips. After high school he joined the army in what was called the buddy system where he and his buddies were able to serve their country together without concern of being separated. He served his time in Germany as the General’s driver. He prided himself as an expert shooter, and was proud to be a veteran. In 1956 he married Marian Hastings. Late 1958, he returned to the states and began his family in Davenport. He worked a handful of years at JI Case Company and at the same time attended night classes. After fulfilling his requirements, he opened his own business, Service Tool and Gage, which became full time for him in the 60’s. He loved his work, retiring at the ripe age of 85.
Dick spent his free time serving others. He was a member of the Mohassan Grotto, the Kaaba Shriners, The Drum and Bugle Core, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Lions Club, the Eagles Club, and St Paul Lutheran Church where he served the youth in confirmation, volunteering time counseling at Camp Shalom, as well as many numerous committees he served on. He loved coming alongside his big brother Ira, as the head timer over the timing crew at Brady Street Track (Ira Dunsworth Track), and later at the University of Iowa track meets where he served as spike check personnel. He was also the wrestling scorekeeper in the 70’s for George Marshall Gym, where his childhood friend Tom Murphy coached. In his spare time he loved to hunt and fish and over the years went on many excursions with his buddies. His family was everything to him. For many years he looked forward to his once a month sibling lunch where they all gathered to celebrate each other and share a meal. If he knew you well, you were the loved recipient of a nickname, a turnover, a tootsie pop, or flowers.
He is survived by his three children, Lynn (Jim) Snowden of Ankeny IA, Ellen (Jimmy) Griggs of Horseshoe Bend AR, and Richard Todd Dunsworth of DeWitt; grandsons Luke Snowden, Clint Snowden, Jimmy Snowden, Dustin Wienke, and Kole Dunsworth; great grands, Nathan, Emma, Adam, Paige, and Sophie, Max, Piper, and James; sister, Sally Mechem of Bettendorf; and sister-in-law Dolly Dunsworth of Davenport; along with many pretty awesome nieces and nephews that loved him well.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Dorothy (Harry) Seligman and Janice (Wendel) Peiffer; brothers, William (Barb) Dunsworth and Ira Dunsworth; and brother-in-law, Joe Mechem.
A special thanks to Dr. Deming, who took precious time with him, the Every Step Hospice program of Des Moines that served him well, Dianna, a veteran volunteer with hospice who came weekly to spend much enjoyed time with him, and his niece Shelly Brown who gave so sacrificially, showering him and his family with love during his time in Ankeny.
In lieu of flowers, the family would love to see memorials given to Every Step Hospice Program of Des Moines.
