Richard H. "Dick" Vollbracht

QUINCY -- Richard H. "Dick" Vollbracht, 88, of Quincy, died on Tuesday (Jan. 27, 2015) at 3:50 a.m. at Blessing Hospital.

Richard was born April 25, 1926, in Camp Point, the son of Roy William and Emma Hunter Vollbracht. On Aug. 6, 1969, he married Helen Sparrow Halfpap in Quincy. She survives.

Richard was a 1944 graduate of Maplewood High School in Camp Point. After graduation he was immediately drafted into the Army. He served in the 8th Armored Division with the British-American forces in Holland, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. After V-J Day, he traveled to Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, to visit the graves and the memorial erected at the grave of his cousin Richard Vollbracht. These brave men tried to get off the beach as Rommel had the whole area zeroed in. It was one of the most memorable experiences of his life. There is also a memorial erected in his cousin Richard's honor in Mount Sterling Cemetery. He greatly appreciated the veterans organization and the rest of the Mount Sterling community for this gift given in remembrance not only of his cousin, but for all those brave men who did not return home to Brown County. They gave their lives for our country and served to make this a better nation.

Richard was a self-employed grain and livestock farmer for 30 years. He was later employed at Caterpillar in Peoria, and Gardner-Denver in Quincy. He then managed the Mounds Club on Eighth Street in Quincy and eventually retired from Union Construction.

In his spare time, Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and dancing to big band music. His favorite was the music of Glenn Miller Band. He greatly admired Glenn for his service in the European Theater of Operations, and the fact that he lost his life flying across the English Channel on a mission to entertain the troops. Richard was of the Methodist faith and was a former member of Camp Point Methodist Church.

Survivors in addition to his wife include two sons, Kirk (Cindy) Vollbracht of Camp Point, and Mark (Jeannie) Vollbracht of Quincy; a daughter, Linda Acqulante of Cochran Villo, Pa.; three stepchildren, Debbie (Bob) Wittler, Rodney (Ellen) Halfpap, and Kathleen Morgan, all of Quincy; 19 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Wanda Bockenfeld and Cheryl Burkes; and a brother, Roy "Pug" Vollbracht.

SERVICES: 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with the Rev. Tim Dougherty officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery at Camp Point.

VISITATION: Noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Quincy.

MEMORIALS: American Diabetes Association, Wounded Warrior Project or Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.