Richard Eugene McCauley

Richard Eugene McCauley passed away Aug. 31, 2014, from injuries suffered in a tragic automobile accident on Aug. 22, 2014. He was transferred from the Creighton Trauma Center to the Hospice Unit at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, where he died peacefully "at home." Dick was the only child born to Ralph Eugene McCauley and Minnie Christina Leander McCauley, July 13, 1933. He was born in the old "Jones Hospital," weighing 13 pounds.
Dick attended Jackson Elementary School and graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1951. He was active in basketball and football during his high school years, and played trumpet in the Band. After graduation, he attended the University of Iowa majoring in Business. While in the University, he became a member of he Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Iowa ROTC program. He graduated from "Iowa" in 1955 with a degree in business and the rank of Second Lieutenant in the United State Army.
He married Patricia (Yates) McCauley June 18, 1955, in Atlantic. The wedding took place in SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. Three months later, Dick was activated as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army and soon assigned duty in Germany for two years. He and his wife, Pat, loved their duty in Munich, Germany and traveled extensively. Their first born child, son Michael, was born in Munich. The family returned to Atlantic in November 1957 where Dick joined his father in the "Whitney Insurance Agency;" where he worked until purchasing the Agency in partnership with Robert Schuler. The agency was called, "The McCauley Schuler Insurance Agency;" keeping the age-old motto of "Your Friend After the Loss." Dick was active in the Agency and the community, belonging to the Atlantic Junior and Senior Chamber of Commerce as an active Board Member, the local Red Cross Chapter as a Board member, the Cass County Conservation Board, and the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church Parish Council. Dick was a loyal member of the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge, and was their Exalted Ruler in 1963-1964. He was also a member of the Atlantic Golf and Country Club, serving as president in 1982, and the Nishna Hills Golf Club.
After retirement in 1986, he and wife, Pat, wintered in Green Valley, Ariz. While in Green Valley, Dick was active in the Lions Club, the Elks Club, played French Horn in the Green Valley Concert Band, and was a member of the GV Chamber Music Society. He was also an active "flier" in the Green Valley radio control Airplane Club, making many new friends as a "snow bird." After returning to Atlantic during the winters, Dick resumed his hobby of building and flying Radio Control Airplanes with the local, "Hawks" Radio Control Airplane Club, and enjoyed many happy hours in his "airplane garage" in the Plum Street home and on the local flying field.
Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life. His happiest moments were sitting in a duck blind hunting with his good friends, Joe O'Brien, Foster Rutledge, and Dennis Henningsen, who have preceded him in death. He cared for his many hunting dogs, but the dog he loved most was "Heidi 2," his little Daschund. He hunted and fished all over the United States, Canada, and Alaska during his lifetime, as did his Father, Ralph.
Dick and Pat parented five children, Michael Eugene, Dorothy Lee, Kathy Sue, and Korean sons, Boke Eric, and Joseph Kim. The children were all raised in the Cedar St. Home and graduated from AHS, and were all members of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Surviving Dick are his wife of 59 years, "Pat;" children, Michael Eugene (wife, Lori), Dorothy Lee Schabilion (husband, Bill) Kathy Sue Kleen (husband, Jim) Boke Eric (wife, Tanya) and Joseph Kim (wife, Mia); nine grandchildren, Nic, Trevor and Mat McCauley, TJ, Paul and Christie Kleen, Hannah and Michael Schabilion, and Christian Kim; his sister-in-law, Sharon Allen (husband, Keith); favorite cousins, Doris Spoo and Bob Leander; and friends in Atlantic and Green Valley, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lee McCauley; in-laws, Loren and Helen Rose Yates; one of his favorite cousins, Bill Sutton; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Dick was an outstanding man with qualities of honesty, loyalty, and generosity throughout his 81 years of life. His love for his family and friends was obvious to all.
Dick's Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, at 10:30 a.m., with a Celebration of Life Luncheon at noon at the Atlantic Elks Lodge. He is at rest in the local cemetery in the family plot.
The family suggests memorials be made to Cass County Memorial Hospital or the Cass County Conservation Club.
Roland Funeral Home is caring for Dick's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com