Dr. Richard Fehlman, age 67 of Spirit Lake, passed away March 21, 2014. Preceded in death by parents George and Katherine Fehlman. Survived by wife of 43 years, Debra Beck Fehlman; daughter, Jessica (Jon) Lewin and son, Pete (Amanda); sisters, Ann Ruehl (Bob) and Elizabeth Fehlman; grandsons, Jack, Thomas and Maxwell Lewin and granddaughter, Eva Fehlman.
Richard graduated from Illinois Benedictine College and received a M.A. and Ph.D. in English Education from the University of Iowa. He taught high school English for 22 years and was a Professor at the University of Northern Iowa for 17 years, where he was a recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1996. The National Telemedia Council also presented him with the Jessie McCanse Award for Individual Contribution to Media Literacy in 2004. He loved the Hawkeyes, Panthers, a Manhattan and the creativity in others. A brilliant man who shared his gift with thousands via the classroom. A student and teacher to the end, Dr. Fehlman is loved and missed by the family, friends, colleagues and students that he loved. A memorial service will be held in Geneseo, Illinois this summer.
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