Richard "Dick" Birchmier

Richard Walter (Dick) Birchmier, age 87 of Centerville, Iowa passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. Dick was born June 24, 1928 in Van Buren County, Iowa on a farm S.E. of Milton, Iowa, to Walter August and Suzanne Mary (Pierre) Birchmier. He attended Highland Center #4 country school thru the 7th grade and high school at Milton, Iowa, graduating as valedictorian in 1945. Dick entered the Army in 1945 as a member of the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program, spending one year at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. He then served with the 3rd Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He attended Iowa State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1952. Dick married Martha Lou (Marti) Benge (she preceded him in death on November 22, 2012) on June 16, 1952 in St. Mary's Catholic Church at Oskaloosa, Iowa. They lived in Cedar Rapids, Savannah, Milton, Indianola, Greenfield, West Des Moines, Shenandoah and Centerville, Iowa. He worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, farmed, and in 1962, started with the USDA, Soil Conservation service. Dick was a registered engineer in the State of Iowa. He was in charge of Engineering Project Offices in Shenandoah and Centerville, retiring in 1994. He loved his family and the opportunity to share in their growing up and life. After retirement, he and Martha spent winters in Florida and enjoyed the ocean, as well as traveling. Dick was very much concerned with the land, both in regard to farming and his work with the soil conservation service. Dick was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church (which he was very close) in Centerville, American Legion, Soil Conservation Society of America, Knights of Columbus and 18-80 Club. Survivors include his two daughters, Cynthia L. Hunt of Maryville, Missouri, and Suzanne J. Birchmier of Centerville, Iowa; four sons, Richard L. (Peggy) Birchmier of Milton, Iowa, Randall R. (Karen) Birchmier of Maitland, Florida, Michael A. (Paula) Birchmier of Kansas City, Missouri, and Thomas D. (Raegan) Birchmier of Albia, Iowa; 17 Grandchildren, David Lee Birchmier, Emily Ann Birchmier, Jennifer Marie (Perry) Van Sickle, Jason Walter (Mandi) Birchmier, Brandon Lee Hunt, Adriane Suzanne (Phillip) Moser, Whitney Richard (Whitney Elise) Hunt, Ashley Martha (Sean) Haynes, Randall Erik Birchmier, Kaitlin Inge Birchmier, Chelsea Suzanne Birchmier, Rachel Lucille Birchmier, Miles Jorden Birchmier, Joel Wesley Birchmier, Joe Aiden Birchmier, Chris Lee Kilofoyle, and Ryleigh Michelle Birchmier; 9 Great-Grandchildren, Audrey Darlene Lemke, Gregory Leonard Birchmier, Saffron Suzanne Birchmier, Temperance Martha Birchmier, Caleb Ray Peterson, Mackenzie Kay Lemke, Blaine Russell Moser, Gavin Lee Moser and Brielle Eva Elise Hunt; a brother, Earnest A. Birchmier of Cantril, Iowa; and one sister, Marjorie Koellner of Milton, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Martha Lou; one son, Gregory Walter; his parents; a granddaughter, Jerrica Ann Bracelin Lemke, two sisters, Helen Birchmier and Jeanette Jones; and a brother Dennis H. Birchmier . Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville, Iowa with Father Bill Hubmann officiating. Burial will follow in the Troy Cemetery, Troy Iowa. A visitation will take place on Tuesday evening 6-8 PM, May 24, 2016 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville. Rosary is 7 PM Tuesday evening. Memorials have been established to either the St. Mary's Catholic Church or the 18-80- Club and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.