Richard C. Seifert
January 4, 2006

Richard C. "Dick" Seifert, age 88, of formerly of 2139 E. Wilmar, Quincy, died Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at 12:45 pm in Blessing Hospital

He was born December 27, 1917 in Quincy, Illinois the son of Charles Henry and Wilhelmina Johanna Heidbreder Seifert. On September 21, 1943 he married Marian F. "Tops" Stroot in Quincy. She preceded him in death May 31, 1996.

Richard graduated in 1936 from Quincy High School, where he was a member of the band/orchestra and the debate club. During his high school years, he worked delivering papers on a route, making sodas at Heidbreder Drug Store, and working various jobs for his father, who started State Street Store.

He attended the University of Chicago and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Gem City Business College in 1939. He began his business career in sales with Long-Bell Lumber Co. in Kansas City, MO. He served in the US Navy from 1942- 1945. He began his sales and management career with Texaco, Inc. in March of 1945, with stints in Battle Creek, Niles, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, then on to St. Louis, Missouri and, finally, Peoria, Illinois, where he retired as a district manager in 1965 due to an opportunity back in Quincy.

Richard and his brother, Paul, bought out their father, Charles Seifert, and his partner, Lawrence Mester, from the State Street Store. The brothers and stockholders built the new State Street Store on 8th St. which opened in 1968. It is now the present location of Early Childhood Development Center for Quincy Public Schools.

He left the State Street Store in 1970 for an opportunity with the State Street Bank as a Bank Director, Stockholder, and Senior Vice President. His grandfather, Hermann Heidbreder, started the bank in 1890, and it is known as Quincy's "Oldest Bank". Richard was instrumental in bringing in the present group of stockholders that continue to own the bank.

He retired from the bank in 1984 and soon began a project to have 29 summer home owners on the East Chute of the Mississippi River to be able to purchase the land adjacent to the river and upon which their dwellings sat. The group was known as Rock Creek Haven, and the area continues to thrive with many beautiful homes being built on the picturesque setting on the Mississippi River.

A special husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he loved the outdoors whether he was fishing, quail hunting, or just enjoying his family at his summer river home. Dick was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Spring Lake Country Club. He was a member of the State & Eighth Business Men's Association, Adams County United Way Vice Chairman, and served as chairman of many divisions through the years. He was a member and former president of the Quincy Exchange Club and received their highest award, 1971-1972, as Exchangite of the Year. He served terms on the board of directors and held other offices.

Dick was a member and past president of the Saukee Area Council of Boy Scouts - where he received the highest scout honor, the "Silver Beaver Award", chairman of the Cancer Crusade, a board member of Camp Callahan, St. Mary Hospital, Good Samaritan Home Board and former treasurer. He was a member of the Quincy Humane Society and Notre Dame High School Advisory board where he served as vice president. He was a committee member and division chairman of the Quincy College Fund Campaign and served on the Lay Advisory Board.

Richard was an avid Cubs fan, but the Cardinals were not far behind. He was truly a wonderful gentleman.

Survivors include his son, Richard C. "Rick" Seifert, Jr. and his wife, Barb, of Quincy; his daughter, Connie McDowell and her husband, Jim, of Quincy; 7 grandchildren: Dr. Christopher McDowell and his wife, Lisa of Indianapolis, IN; Sara Lepper and her husband, Tom of Quincy; Mark McDowell and his wife, Jamie of Quincy; John McDowell and his finace Christina Luksich of Quincy; Kari Livermore and her husband, Dr. Ryan of Wichita, KS; Kelly Loughlin and her husband, Chris of Chicago, IL; and Eric Seifert of Kansas City, MO; four great-grandchildren: Jordan Lepper of Quincy; Stephen and Andrew McDowell of Indianapolis, IN; and Connor McDowell of Quincy; a brother, Paul Seifert and his wife, Maxine of Seattle, WA; a sister, Marian Seifert Benedetto of Quincy; and a special friend, Marge McClain of Quincy. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Services will be held Monday at 9:30 am in Hansen-Spear Funeral Home followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 am in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Monsignor Michael Kuse officiating. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 3-6 pm at the funeral home with a wake service at 2:45 pm. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or the Mississippi Valley Council of Boy Scouts.

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