"We miss you so much. I miss hearing your messages on the machine. You always made us laugh. I"m going to miss you call us on our birthdays singing Happy Birthday to us like a gangster. It was so funny and off key, but we loved it. We miss you dear friend and we can't wait to see you again. Love ya, Esquire and The Boss."
In loving memory of
Richard "Dick" Lyman Wagner
May 11, 1934 - July 20, 2010
Richard "Dick" Lyman Wagner, 76, of Burlington died at 7:25 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Blair House Nursing and Rehab in Burlington.
Born May 11, 1934 in Burlington, he was the son of Lyman Arthur and Marie R. Friedmann Wagner.
Mr. Wagner was a 1952 graduate of Burlington High School, Burlington Junior College in 1954, Parsons College in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in business and Mankato State College in 1960 with a master's degree in business.
Mr. Wagner was one of the charter organizers of Burlington Little League and named as one of the leagues original four managers while a senior in high school. He was also one of the charter organizers of the Burlington Babe Ruth League.
After coaching at Cantril, Deep River and Wayland, he came back to Burlington and was and Accounting teacher and then the Athletic Director for Burlington for 31 ½ years, retiring in 1992. His accomplishments included seven state tournament appearances for Burlington High School where the team was state champion in both 1973 and 1975. Under his coaching Burlington had a 15-year high school record of 421-100.
His awards included the Lyle T. Quinn Award in 1990, the highest honor given by the state athletic association, Nations High School Baseball "Coach of the Year" in 1975, Iowa's "Coach of the Year" in 1971 and 1975, and the Cap Timm President's Award, the highest honor given by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association in 1993.
Mr. Wagner was known for his generosity as he hosted many parties for others and shared his retirement home near the Des Moines River not only for athletic events, but also for BHS science field trips.
Survivors include cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call from noon until 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 23rd, in Lunning Chapel.
The funeral service for Mr. Wagner will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 24th, in Carl C. Johannsen Gymnasium. Pastor Mike Shea and Dr. Marc Royer will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for the Burlington Educational Foundation and Notre Dame Foundation.
Tributes
"The Deep River class of 1958 was really pleased Mr. Wagner was able to attend our 50th class reuion. We will always have good memories. Sharon ( Gillaspie ) Harriman class of "58""
"Mr Wagner, I hope you know the impact you had on myself, so many other Student Athletes, and the entire Burlington area. You will be truly missed and forever in my heart. Chad Kerr"
"Burlington High School was so fortunate to have Dick's leadership and guidance on both the athletic fields and the classroom. All of his accounting proteges that are making a living today in that field can never thank him enough for all he taught us."
"Our community weeps over the loss of such a wonderful man. He did so much for our area and students of all ages...on and off the field. Mr. Wagner will truly be missed."
"For all of us who played baseball for Mr. Wagner we remember: keeping your hair shorter than was the style, hoping he never caught you on the golf course (it messed up your swing!), no dating the bat girls, and other rules we thought to be crazy... Most of all we remember playing hard, having fun, and doing things the right way. And we remember a Coach that really cared about us both on and off the field. We were lucky to have him in our lives."
"I will treasure the memories I have of Mr. Wagner as a former student and later as a friend. He was an amazing teacher, coach and man. Thank you Mr. Wagner!"
"Mr. Wagner was my bookkeeping teacher during my senior year of high school. I chose accounting as my career because of his class. He was a kind man who motivated you to excel and to pay attention to the little details. Burlington has lost one of its finest men."
" Burlington has lost a very important person.He was a great guy on and off the field"
"We were students of Coach Wagner in Deep River in the late 50's. He coached us in softball, basketball and baseball. He attended the alumni program in Deep River two years ago and all were so happy to see him. A great educator and person. "
"Coach Wagner was such a guiding force in my life. Having played for coach was such a small part of his impact on my life. He taught us so many life long skills that came in so handy during my professional career. He was a treasured friend of our family. We didn't see one another as much as we would have liked but stayed in touch often. Coach helped shape my life and I will always be grateful to him. I admire all that he did for the city of Burlington. Coach, take it easy on everyone in heaven...I know you'll have an opinion on how things are run there also... many great and fond memories...God Bless "
"Coach I feel blessed to have you as my mentor for all these years!! Thank you for what you've done for BHS Softball!!"
"Mr Wagner had a great influence on my life both personally and professionally. While working as one of his "student athletic trainers" in the early 70's, he helped guide me to my career choice of 30+ years and a certified athletic trainer and a instructor. I hope that I can make be at least a small part of the students' lives I work with as much as he was for me.. RIP"
"Coach Wagner had a great impact on my life. I treasure my years at BHS and having him as a teacher and coach. He was always there for me and made me a better person. God bless you."
"You will always be in my heart. I will never forget the lessons and experiences you provided while on your team. You will be sorely missed."
"Mr. Wagner has been a guiding force in my life for almost 40 years. His high expectations have helped push me in times when I thought I'd gone as far as I could. His photo has been on my work desk for 20 years. God Bless you Dick."
"You are now in a place where you can throw, run, hit and work on improving that bad left hand curve ball you threw. I'll never forget you."
"I will miss him greatly. His influence on my life continues and will continue to do so until it is my day to be laid to rest. He was a wonderful man."
"We will remember your loving kindness always. "
"I am blessed to have played on one of the first baseball teams that Dick coached. Anyone remember the Twi-light league? My lifelong interest in sports started with Dick's encouragement and guidence. Thanks Dick for the memories."
"You will be missed dear friend however your spirit will forever remain."
"So many of my memories from high school involve BHS athletics. I am so grateful today for the impact Mr. Wagner had on my life. Now being married to a college athletic director for 18 years, I have an even greater appreciation for him. May his legacy live on."
"You will be missed, Mr. Wagner...we were honored to care for you..."
"From a nemesis to a friend. May you enjoy your reunion with your Mother and Father."
"I'm deeply saddened to hear of Dick's passing. Some of the best times I've had in my life were working with Dick on the West Burlington-Notre Dame games in the 90's. Anyone who became a friend of Dick's remained friends for life. Even long after I left Burlington, Dick continued his tradition of mailing Christmas candy every year, and he stayed in touch with all the latest Burlington gossip! When I got married, Dick not only came to Kirksville for the wedding, but invited Sherie and I to honeymoon at the cabin at Croton. I'll always treasure Dick's friendship and the fun we had. "
"When "someone" you care about becomes a "Memory"~~All those memories become "Treasures"~~ Dick made a difference in alot of our lives~~Thank You, Dick~ Now, you can look forward to a beautiful "reunion" with your Mom and Dad~~Love and Aloha~~"
"RIP You will be remembered!"
"Dick, May You rest in "PEACE"...Thank you for all the "wonderful memories"~~ Love and Aloha~ Tom and Geri Tommy~Lisa~Derek~Kayla~ Sammi Elmore Angie~Scott~Mason~ Mitchell Leinbach "
"If you believe that "it takes a village to raise a child", then Dick was part of that village. He gave guidance and support to many children through the years. His legacy will live on. for years. "
"Burlington lost of very kind and generous man. He will be greatly missed! RIP Mr. Wagner"