"Dear Mary Jo and family, we have fond memories of Dick & Mary Jo from the time Jack started working at the company. We remember seeing you both at Weed Park the early years & having such a nice visit with you both. We were of the same church family, with our kids being friends. Jack had great respect for Dick while working at Stanley. He was a very special person. Thinking of you all. "
In loving memory of
Richard H Stanley
October 20, 1932 - November 17, 2017
RICHARD STANLEY
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Richard H. Stanley, 85, of Muscatine, died Friday, November 17, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospitals following a brief illness.
Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church of Muscatine. The Rev. Dr. Pamela S. Saturnia will officiate. Private Burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser Street. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Muscatine, http://fpcmuscatine.org; the Muscatine Center for Social Action, www.mcsaiowa.org; or Common Cause, http://www.commoncause.org. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Dick was born on October 20, 1932, in Muscatine to Max and Betty Stanley. He married Mary Jo Kennedy on December 20, 1953, at the First Presbyterian Church in 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.
Tributes
"Dear MaryJo and family, You have my deepest condolences. I enjoyed meeting Dick when I joined Rotary and later with Chamber initiatives in community development. He was a blessing to many in Muscatine and throughout the world. God bless your family. "
"Dotty and I regret that we are unable to attend the memorial service to express our love and sympathy to Mary Jo and their family. Dick and Bruce were fraternity brothers at ISU (then ISC), participated in campus politics (but never ran against the other) and participated in each other's weddings. Other memories include a dinner at Pammel Court https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2017/01/19/pammel,.visits to their home in Muscatine, summer visits at their favorite Vermont family camp, and occasional lunches during one of Dick's trips to Washington DC involving the Stanley Foundation, Common Cause or the UN. Dick was the epitome of the title of "World Citizen" and we miss his presence. With love to all of the Stanley family from Bruce and Dotty Johnson"
"So sorry to hear. Sincere condolences to all. Remember all the wonder memories, those memories of great times will be with you always. Our memories are from Iowa State 1951-55 as we were in many organizations together. Even ran against Dick for student body president. Great guy God Bless love from Babs and Bill Gardiner "
"Iowa lost a great American and remarkable citizen with the passing of Dick Stanley. His entire life was focused on sharing ideas and working to make people's lives interesting, hopeful, productive and happier. I first met Dick in the summer of 1956 when he, like me, joined the Army Corps of Engineers as a newly commissioned lieutenant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. I quickly recognized his intelligence, leadership skills and integrity that would serve him well throughout his exemplary professional career. At Fort Belvoir, he was sought out for advice and respected by older senior civilians and officers. He also encouraged department engineers to become registered professional engineers. He was a great human being, devoted family figure and faithful friend. We share his loss with his beloved extended family and church friends. Clair Weiss Retired Professional Engineer 5714 Castlewood Drive Bettendorf, Iowa "
" I saw Dick in person only once or twice a year when he stayed at the Sanibel cottage but i will always remember his spirit, his respect for others, his always smiling face and his feeling that goodness will prevail in the world. Technically I was the "hired help" but in reality I was made to feel like part of the family. He always spoke to me as and equal and genuinely cared about and respected my feelings and thoughts. There's a plaque with a motto in the Sanibel cottage that I believe was left there many years ago by Dick's Dad that says it all, "Human Dignity". Mary Jo, Lynne and Joe, please accept my sympathy for your loss. "
"On behalf of WFM-IGP we want to send our most sincere condolences to the Stanley family. We worked with Dick and his father since the 1950s. Dick was one of the finest defenders of the UN Charter and progressive, peaceful multilateralism in the United States -one of the finest - his goodness and faith and leadership will be missed by all who want our world to achieve peace and justice and democracy and the just rule of law."
"Our sympathy to Mary Jo, children and grandchildren. We are saddened to hear about Dick's passing. I will always remember the times we were able to spend with your family. My parents and siblings always enjoyed Dick's company. He was a wonderful, warm and caring man."
"We send our condolences. Thank you for all the good work the Muscatine Stanleys have done."
"It was my privilege to have worked with Dick, as well as Max, during my tenure at Stanley Consultants. My respect continued to build for both men as I came into contact with them and their gentle way of doing business. My sympathy to Mary Jo and family, especially to my classmate Jane. Thoughts of wonderful memories will continue for many years."
"Mary Jo, children and family. Our sincere sympathy as you experience the loss of husband, father and grandfather. Dick was truly a pillar of the church and family. We have fond memories of Dick in the choir as a bass singer. He always had a smile and warm greetings. We particularly appreciated all the love and support for our daughter Nicole! Our prayers are with you during this time. Kind regards, Doug and Bonnie Freitag"
"Sending my sympathy to Mary Jo and family. I remember Dick very well from our old church and know he is with the Lord in Heaven, rejoicing with other family members."
"Mary Jo, your children, and grandchildren, we send our sympathy on Dick's death. I am a very distant Stanley cousin (7 generations apart), but Dick always greeted me at Hancher Auditorium events with a warm, "Hello, Cousin." The National Stanley Family Association remembers with gratitude our Cedar Rapids reunion in 2006 where Dick gave a presentation about his involvement in The Stanley Foundation. We are so appreciate of his efforts to bring peace and justice into our world."
"Richard Stanley was an inspiration for me to become an engineer. He and other Stanley engineers introduced engineering and a wider world-view to some of us in the Muscatine school system in the early 1970's. My sincere condolences to the Stanley family."
"My sympathy to Mary Jo and family. Together you two impacted and improved the world and community around you. May he continue to help us make the world a more fair and loving place. Thank you."
"Rich and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mary Jo and family for their loss of Dick Stanley. He was a wonderful man and outstanding community leader. We are thinking of you all."
"My sincere condolences to Mary Jo and the Stanley family; my thoughts are with you. I am sorry for all of us because we have lost a valuable leaders whose purpose and intent benefited many. I will always remember Dick with fondness and respect."
"Mrs. Stanley, Lynne, Joel and family, Richard Stanley was a great man, kind and considerate, we are so sad for you but, blessed to have known him. When he walked by the house on Third Street and someone was out he always stopped to talk. He stopped by one time in the 80s to tell my Mom how much he enjoyed seeing all the funny postings and decorations her little tree ended up with. With deepest sympathy to your and your family. The Jack Plogh Family"
"Dick was a leader in the Engineering industry and I have heard about his many contributions and achievements through Gregs. When I first met with him in Muscatine, he was kind and shared his amazing journey and the importance of having strong bonds. I will always remember his smile and our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. Sincerely, Manish Kothari & Colleagues at Sheladia Associates, Inc., Rockville, MD"
"Dick and I were Fraternity Brothers at Sigma Phi Epsilon at ISU... we were the same age and enjoyed sharing the good times at ISU... He will be missed, but left a legacy for his family and friends... "
"Many times Dick and I were the men's section of the choir at First Pres., he on bass and I on tenor. I always looked forward to our chats during practice and before service and will miss his smile and quick witted jokes. He was a dear man and a great soul."
"I first met Richard during the 70's when I used to play music at the Paddlewheel lounge in Muscatine. There are two things that struck me about Richard. One that he was a very down to earth kind of guy. What you saw was what you received. The other thing, most importantly, was a spiritual air about him. I can honestly say that Jesus must have loved him very much. From what I've seen and known about Richard was that his role in life was to be a follower of Christ. And that he was!"
"Dick Stanley was such a good man - throughout his life he gave so much to his community, his family, his profession, and the world. My warm thoughts and happy memories go out to his children and grand children, and most of all to my beloved friend, Mary Jo."
"There are few people I have admired more than Dick Stanley. I grew up across the street from the Stanley family, and I have nothing but the warmest of memories of every one of them. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Mary Jo, Lynne and Joe - and to the cast of thousands who will miss Dick. Clearly, Richard Stanley touched many throughout the world, and he left his mark. I was lucky to know him."
"We wish to offer Mary Jo, Lynne, Joe and the extended Stanley family our deepest condolences on the passing of Dick Stanley. Dick was a mainstay to all of you, but also to many others in Iowa and around the world. He leaves a legacy that will be long remembered by those whose lives he touched. Our deepest sympathies, Vlad and Nancy Sambaiew "
"Our prayers and sympathies are with you. I have many fond memories of vacations and visits with all of you. "
"Mary Jo, I have such fine memories of Dick as a person and all the things the Stanley Foundation represented globally. His was a life well spent in the service of others. We shall miss his presence. Sincerely, Eleanor Anstey"
"Mary Jo and Family, So sorry to learn of Dick's death. I remember him as being a positive spirit for a whole community and for those in his very presence. We will all miss him a great deal and are grateful for his generous and loving life."