OBITUARY
Dick Stahl
June 12, 1939 – February 19, 2020
Dick Stahl, 80, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2020 in his home.
Visitation is 3 – 6 pm on Sunday, February 23 at the Runge Mortuary. Funeral service will be 10 am, Monday, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. Burial in Davenport Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Midwest Writing Center, or the German American Heritage Center& Museum.
Dick was born in 1939 to Donald and Elta Stahl in Davenport. He graduated from Davenport High School in 1957, Augustana College (B.A. in English) in 1963, University of Iowa (M.A. in English) in 1970 and Western Illinois University (Ed.S in administration) in 1981. In 1964 he was drafted in to the Army serving in Baumholder, Germany. He taught English for 34 ½ years at Central High School (his alma mater).
Dick married Helen Moretz on June 29, 1968 in Princeton, IL. Dick wrote poetry about his love of the Mississippi River and the Midwest. His four books of poetry include After the Milk Route, Under the Green Tree Hotel, Mr. Farnam’s Guests, and Bluffing. He served as the Quad City Arts first Poet Laureate from September, 2001 to September, 2003. He received the Augustana Alumni Award in 2002 and was inducted into the DHS/CHS Hall of Honor in 2013.
Dick is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Renee Dunn of Highlands Ranch, CO, Randy Stahl of Englewood, CO and Rita (Steve) Hart of Davenport, IA; five grandchildren; and sister, Dr. Donna Stahl of Cincinnati, OH.
He was preceded in death by his identical twin daughters, Collette Kay and Carol Ellen Stahl; along with his parents.
FAMILY
- Donald Stahl, Father (deceased)
- Elta (Waage) Stahl, Mother (deceased)
- Helen (Moretz) Stahl, Wife
- Renee Dunn, Daughter
- Randy Stahl, Son
- Rita Hart (Steve), Daughter
- Dr. Donna Stahl, Sister
- Collette Kay Stahl, Daughter (deceased)
- Carol Ellen Stahl, Daughter (deceased)
- Also left to cherish his memory are five grandchildren.
PALLBEARERS
- Glen Levetzow, Pallbearer
- Bill Kortemeyer, Pallbearer
- Gary Hammond, Pallbearer
- Paul Olsen, Pallbearer
- Jack Miller, Pallbearer
- KV Dahl, Pallbearer
- Roald Tweet, Honorary Pallbearer
- Hank Krambeck, Honorary Pallbearer
- Tom White, Honorary Pallbearer
- Terry Savoie, Honorary Pallbearer
DONATIONS
- St. Paul Lutheran Church
- Midwest Writing Center
- German American Heritage Center & Museum
Services
-
Visitation
Sunday, February 23, 2020
-
Funeral Service
Monday, February 24, 2020
Memories
Dick Stahl
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYJacob Burris
March 1, 2020
Thank you Mr. Stahl for teaching me iambic pentameter.
Matt Wilkins
February 28, 2020
Mr. Stahl was my teacher in 1987 at Central High School. I had a creative writing class and then he let me do an independent study the second semester where I got to write poems, plays, and stories and he read them and gave me feedback. Best class ever! He was one of those teachers that had a profound influence on the course of my life. I wouldn’t be doing the work I’m doing today without Mr. Stahl.
DJ Ricklefs
February 23, 2020
RIP Mr. Stahl
We would hide that podium before class started. Stahl always took it with a grain of salt. He'd find it quickly, move on with class. I don't think I ever ditched one of his classes. He was one of the good ones . He understood he was dealing with kids, taught us all something. Glad he was one of my teachers. I'll be looking up your writings later. Class of 90
Ellen Tsagaris
February 23, 2020
Rest in peace, Dick; your talent and your poetry will serve as your epitaphs for the ages.
Bonnie Beorkrem
February 23, 2020
It was an honor to have known and worked with Dick Stahl so many years ago on the "Devil's Diary"--a compilation of his student's poetry. For several years, my computer students typed his student's work of poetry and put all of it together in a booklet. Then in the last few years, I had the privilege to work with Dick and Helen as he wrote and had published his work since retiring. I found the book of poems and pictures about the bluffs along the Mississippi inspiring--one of these days I hope to visit all of the bluffs and reread the poems. Dick was a very kind and gentle man who taught so much to so many students. Rest in peace, Dick!
David Sodemann
February 22, 2020
I have some very fond memories of Mr. Stahl's class at CHS. Especially when we dismanteled his podium and it completely fell apart when he touched it. His response was "oh, you guys" as he laughed about it.
He was a wonderful teacher and had such a kind heart. He introduced me to a love a Robert Frost and an appreciation of poetry. RIP Mr. Stahl you will always be in our hearts.
Denise Hogbin Novak
February 22, 2020
I will never forget English class with Mr. Stahl. I never really liked poetry, let alone write any until I had his class. He is one of the great teachers in my memories.
Michael Shepherd
February 22, 2020
I always enjoyed the lunches we shared when I was back in Davenport. Dick always had an interesting story to share with me.
Amy Jackson
February 22, 2020
Thank you, Mr. Stahl, for teaching The Anerican Novel to my CHS class. I’ve always loved to read and you introduced us to some of the classics. . I’ll have you know- I have reread several of those novels as an adult!
It was also fun to meet up with you again, when I taught clarinet to your daughter, Rita. Rita is such a sweetheart- just like you and Helen.
You will be missed! My sympathy to your family.
Amy Jackson (Spataru) CHS 1974
BARBARA KUTTLER
February 22, 2020
Such a kind and caring teacher, with a forgiving nature for rebellious students, as I was in high school. Got to know him and Helen, his rock and partner, as an adult at St. Paul Lutheran Church. A quiet, thinking man with a laugh that revealed his largesse of spirit. My sincere condolences to his family.
Dennis STINOCHER
February 22, 2020
I REMEMBER MR.STAHL FROM MY FOURTH PERIOD AMERICAN LITERATURE CLASS AT CENTRAL . IT WAS A SPLIT CLASS WHICH MENT YOU HAD LUCNH HALF WAY THROUGH AFTER THAT HE WOULD BE TALKING AND I WOULD DOZE OFF MY FRIEND WAS ALWAYS TAPPING ME ON THE SHOULDER TO WAKE ME UP. HE WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER AND YOUR STUDENTS MISS YOU RIP MR STAHL, GRADUATED 1972
Kory Darnall
February 21, 2020
"Gut Heil" fellow Turner! We were all richer for having heard your poems and stories. Thanks for being a part of our lives.
Steve Suuter
February 21, 2020
Ann and I feel privileged to have known Dick as he and Helen authored many articles of Suiter history in collaboration with my Dad, Glen and Aunt Lois. It seemed he wrote a poem for most every Suiter occasion. There’s going to be a difficult void to fill but fortunately his past works are in print. He leaves a rich legacy of love of the Mississippi for future generations to enjoy. Thanks to Helen for her hard work scripting hours of Suiter stories. God bless you and your family as we send our deepest sympathy.
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Biography
Dick Stahl, 80, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2020 in his home. Visitation is 3 – 6 pm on Sunday, February 23 at the Runge Mortuary. Funeral service will be 10 am, Monday, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. Burial in Davenport Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Midwest Writing Center, or the German American Heritage Center& Museum. Dick was born in 1939 to Donald and Elta Stahl in Davenport. He graduated from Davenport High School in 1957, Augustana College (B.A. in English) in 1963, University of Iowa (M.A. in English) in 1970 and Western Illinois University (Ed.S in administration) in 1981. In 1964 he was drafted in to the Army serving in Baumholder, Germany. He taught English for 34 ½ years at Central High School (his alma mater). Dick married Helen Moretz on June 29, 1968 in Princeton, IL. Dick wrote poetry about his love of the Mississippi River and the Midwest. His four books of poetry include After the Milk Route, Under the Green Tree Hotel, Mr. Farnam’s Guests, and Bluffing. He served as the Quad City Arts first Poet Laureate from September, 2001 to September, 2003. He received the Augustana Alumni Award in 2002 and was inducted into the DHS/CHS Hall of Honor in 2013. Dick is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Renee Dunn of Highlands Ranch, CO, Randy Stahl of Englewood, CO and Rita (Steve) Hart of Davenport, IA; five grandchildren; and sister, Dr. Donna Stahl of Cincinnati, OH. He was preceded in death by his identical twin daughters, Collette Kay and Carol Ellen Stahl; along with his parents.