Richard J. Cordaro

Richard "Rick" John Cordaro, 68, passed away on June 8, 2025, after courageously battling lung cancer, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa.

Rick was born on October 31, 1956, in Des Moines, Iowa, to George and Angela (Sposeto) Cordaro. He graduated from Dowling Catholic High School, where he met his wife, Judy Bisanti.

Rick began his career in real estate sales before transitioning to the insurance industry, where he specialized in Disability Income Insurance. Throughout his distinguished career, he became widely recognized as an expert in his field, earning the nickname "the DI Guy," and had custom license plates to prove it! Rick's enthusiasm extended to his passionate support of the Iowa State Cyclones, the New York Yankees, and his pride in his southern Italian heritage.

Rick retired from Principal Financial Group and achieved the rank of Regional Vice President for Disability Income, having consistently placed in the company's recognition circle as a top individual disability income wholesaler. His professional achievements were numerous, including serving as President of both the International DI Society and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) in Central Iowa. He held professional designations of DIA, DIF, and LUTCF.

Rick maintained a lifelong commitment to Dowling Catholic High School, most recently serving on the Dowling Catholic High School Foundation Board. He was deeply proud of his family's legacy at the school and took great satisfaction in seeing all three of his sons graduate from Dowling Catholic before pursuing college, successful careers, and establishing families of their own. Despite their geographic distances, the family remained close through regular vacations and visits. Rick cherished his role as "gramps" and "grandpa" to his five grandchildren.

Above all, Rick's life was defined by his devotion to God and family, particularly his beloved wife Judy. High school sweethearts, they married shortly after graduation and shared 48 years of marriage. Rick worked hard and always provided everything his family needed and often focused his energy to ensure Judy was always well taken care of when he was gone.

Rick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy, three children: Rick (Whitney Browne), Joey (Melissa Soda), and David (Jack Chase) and five grandchildren: Enzo, Oscar, Remy, Henley, and Caroline.

Services will be private with no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Building & Grounds Funds in Des Moines or Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines. We find comfort in knowing that Rick's memory will live on through all of us who were blessed to know him.