"I remember Richard Glaspie as I took his Drivers Education Classes. He was a great teacher and a good friend. I understand that he passed away in 2008 and I just now found out about his passing. A great person, a great teacher and a great friend. Richard will definitely be missed."
In loving memory of
Richard Glaspie
August 10, 2008
Richard LaVerne Glaspie, son of James "Roy" and Mary Ellen (McCabe) Glaspie, was born on October 16, 1932, in Waterloo, Iowa. He passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2008, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa, following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 75.
Dick's early years were spent growing up in Waterloo until the age of 13, when the family moved to La Plata, Missouri. He graduated from Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Missouri with the Class of 1950. Following graduation he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and completed his basic training at Albuquerque, New Mexico and was later stationed in Bordeaux, France.
On July 1, 1956, Dick was united in marriage to Margaret Diekmann at Faith Lutheran Church in Kirksville, Missouri. In 1959, he graduated from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, with B. S. in Education. He taught in the Bethel, Queen City and Cainsville school systems in Missouri before moving to Essex, Iowa. Dick taught 33 years in the Essex Community Schools (from 1960 to 1993) before retiring. Following his retirement from teaching he worked as a substitute teacher at several Southwest Iowa schools. In 1994, he became a Driver's License Examiner for Iowa D. O. T. in Page and Montgomery Counties until retiring in 2007.
Dick was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex. He served on the Page County Conservation Board and on the Essex Lied Library Board. He was also a member of the Essex American Legion Post #333. Dick enjoyed all outdoor activities, he especially loved fishing, pheasant and deer hunting in addition to golf. He could always be found on the Annual Essex Labor Day Celebration at the Demolition Derby where he was the announcer for many years.
Preceding him in death were his father, James "Roy" in 1964 and mother, Mary Ellen in 1975, and his sister, Virginia, in 1982. He is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Margaret Glaspie of Essex, IA; four children, Monica Morris of Shenandoah, IA, Michael Glaspie of Des Moines, IA, Mark Glaspie and his wife Susan of Kansas City, KS, and Mimi Sanford and her husband Jerome of Des Moines, IA; three grandchildren, Mitchell Morris, Colette Sanford and Grant Sanford; niece, Margaret Willard of Waterloo, IA; dear friend, Alice Lindburg, formerly of Essex, IA; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Jerry Lamb. The congregation sang "Children of the Heavenly Father", "Beautiful Savior" and "Onward Christian Soldiers". Caring for the flowers were Brooksie Miller and Brenda Franks. Attending to the register book and memorials were Dorothy Holmes, Carla Long, Janet Walker and Anne Mishou. Usher was Russell Hilker. Casket bearers were Doug Miller, Robert Anderson, Gene Mirts, Lynn Baldwin, Tim Bowers and Zach Bowers. Military rites were accorded by the Essex American Legion Post #333. Interement was in the Essex Cemetery. Memorials are being directed to the Essex Lied Library or to St. John's Lutheran Church. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah was in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Dear Monica, Mike, Mark, Mimi and Margaret; You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of a favorite teacher, your husband and dad, Mr. Glaspie (as I call him). Of all the classses he taught, my driving skills have to be the best. I will always have such fond memories of him, as will my brother-in-law, Glen Waters, as they spent many times fishing together! Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Lynn Freed"
" To the family of Mr. Glaspie I am so sorry to hear about his passing. He was my favorite teacher at Essex. He made learning fun. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. sincerely ramona hays"
" I wish I could hear Mr. Glaspie say "Young man" to me one more time, I do not get to here that anymore. Mr. Glaspie always had the highest praise for my Mother even after he tried to teach her to drive, I'm sure that was pretty scary! He will be missed by all the lives he touched. My condolences, Jim Slater"
"I got to know Richard from the day's & nights of high school volleyball. I had three daughter's, who played for South Page and I was quite vocal, along with Jerry Crandall. Richard enjoyed giving us a hard time, as much as we enjoyed giving him a hard time. May god bless him & his family."
"What a wonderful man ! I was a Senior when he came to Essex Schools. He was intelligent, friendly and had such a good sense of humor, quite a nice addition to our Community. I remember the last time I saw him I was there on vacation and he yelled "Hello" to me and took me in to see Alice Lindurg. He also had my daughter Melissa (McComb) Whitcomb in one of his classes. I hope he didn't suffer too long. Sincerely, Berna Rogers (Vancouver, Wa.)"
"I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Glaspie. He was my 8th grade teacher as well as my high school history teacher. And he was a favorite teacher to all of us. Though it was well over 40 years ago, I still remember some of the specific things he taught our class. I can say that about very few teachers. He had a way of making each of us feel special and made classes very interesting and fun which encouraged us to learn. He will always be loved and remembered in the hearts of a large circle of admiring students. May God give peace to each sad heart remembering that Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Sincerely, Mary Ann Enns"
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"My sincerest condolences to the family. Mr. G will be truly missed."
"Thoughts and prayers with all the family - Many good times remembered from fishing and hunting trips! lots of love - Mike and Tami Hayes and family! "
"To the family: I just want to send my sincere condolences and let you know I thought very highly of Richard. He knew me as a high school ball player and later as a coach for South Page. When he started substituting and teaching drivers' ed. he and I had some great chats. I enjoyed hearing about his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a great man and will be greatly missed by all. May God be with you at this difficult time. Sincerely, Shannon Athen"
"Mimi and Family, I am so sorry for your recent loss of your father. He will be dearly missed. I remember when he first drove my bus (bus #7). He was a cool teacher, and I liked how he made things understandable. He was one of my favorite teachers from EHS. May God richly Bless your family at this time of need, and I will be keeping you all in my prayers. Sincerly, Deb"
"Margaret and Glaspie Children: I am sorry that I will not be able to attend Dick's visitation on Tuesday evening, due to a prior committment. I want you to know that I valued Dick's contributions to the Essex Community Schools very highly, as well as his presence at the many community events he participated in. Also, he was a valued member of the church congregation and took very good care of the facilities while serving as caretaker. His dedication at school touched on countless lives of Essex youth as they moved through the system and after graduation. Dick will be missed but not forgotten. You have my sincerest sympathy at his passing and this sad time. Russell E. Hilker"
"I am sorry to hear that we have lost such a great guy. I have some great memories of the fun I had during his classes."
"Mark, Sorry to hear about your father. Hopefully where is at the quail are many and his dog always holds point. Linda and I are thinking of you and your family. Please accept our deepest sympathy."
"Our community has lost one of its greatest assets - a wonderful teacher. The past couple of days I have remembered some very good times in "Mr G's" classes. "
"I worked with Dick at the Clarinda Court House and and remember a lot of interesting thnigs that happened. Also the good recipes he brought to us. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Monica and family, just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time and our prayers go out to you and your family."
"My condolences to the family for your loss. Dick was a umpire for my softball games for many years, and was always full of joy (especially when he made the right calls, in my favor of course). Even though that was 20 years ago, he still always made time to stop and talk when he would see me "out and about". He always had a contagious smile/grin that would make a person's day. Thinking of you in this time of sorrow."