Muscatine. Mary Jo's father, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Kennedy, officiated. So began an enduring partnership of nearly 64 years. Dick was a professional engineer and businessman. Mechanical and electrical engineering degrees earned at Iowa State University and a graduate degree in sanitary engineering from the University of Iowa laid the foundation for his professional work. Throughout the years, he provided leadership to many professional organizations, wrote numerous articles and papers for professional and technical journals, and presented often at professional and technical meetings. He was Chair Emeritus and past President of the Stanley Group and a retired Vice-Chair of the Board of the HNI Corporation. Dick was a world citizen. He was dedicated to working for a safer, more just, and more peaceful world through The Stanley Foundation, of which he was Chair Emeritus and past President. He was a supporter and constructive critic of the United Nations and continuously sought opportunities to promote multilateral solutions to international issues. Dick was a frequent chair, presenter, and participant at conferences on world affairs and global issues. His hometown and state were very important to Dick. He was an Eagle Scout and a Scout Leader. He served as Director and Founding Chair of Unity HealthCare and was President and Director of the Muscatine Health Support Foundation. Dick shared with Mary Jo a deep enjoyment of the arts--theatre, dance, music, and fine art--at the University of Iowa, in Muscatine and elsewhere in the state. Dick promoted quality education through Iowa's state universities, community colleges, and public schools. He served as an advisor to, and on the boards of, many community and social service organizations in Muscatine. A long time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Muscatine, Dick took special pleasure from singing in the choir. Over the years, he was a Deacon and an Elder, served on numerous committees, and together with Mary Jo, mentored the senior high youth group. He enjoyed family camps, church retreats, potlucks, bible studies, and social justice work. Travel of all kinds was a special joy to Dick. Through a combination of work and recreational travel over many years, much of it with Mary Jo, Dick met his goal of visiting all 50 states and all seven continents. He regaled Muscatine school children with tales of his trip to Antarctica, displaying his size 13 rubber Wellington boots. He delighted in family summer lake vacations and road trips to parks and historic sites, creating a lasting source of cherished memories for the entire family. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He loved spending time with his eight grandchildren, playing games, walking in the woods, reading books, and celebrating holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other special events. He was a regular attendee at reunions of his larger family and valued time with his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed close relationships with his three children and was a loving partner for his wife, Mary Jo. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo Stanley of Muscatine; daughter, Lynne Stanley of Edina, Minnesota; son, Joe Stanley and daughter-in-law, Lori Zook-Stanley of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Nathan Elliott (Lisa Elliott), Samuel Kidder (Sylvia Kidder), Catherine Elliott, Rebecca Kidder, Elizabeth Elliott, Hannah Kidder, Sophia Zook-Stanley, and Isaac Zook-Stanley; and dear sister, Jane Stephenson. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, C. Maxwell and Elizabeth Stanley; brother, David Stanley; and beloved daughter, Sarah Catherine Stanley.
Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Muscatine, IA 52761
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