Richard W. Pfab

Richard W. Pfab, 88, of Bernard, IA, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Hawkeye Care Center in Dubuque, IA.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 15th, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd with a wake service to be held at 2:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 .m. on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at St. Patrick's Garryowen with Fr. Michael Schueller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors accorded by the Iowa Army National Guard.

Richard was born on March 3, 1937, in Bernard, Iowa, the son of John and Viola (Arensdorf) Pfab. He attended St. Patrick's (North Garryowen) School and was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Church in Bernard. Richard was also a proud veteran of the United States Army, honoring his country with the same dedication and work ethic that shaped every chapter of his life.

On October 18, 1958, Richard married Sandy Maiden at St. Anthony's Church in Dubuque, beginning a 67-year partnership marked by faith, and devotion to each other. They farmed side by side, raising dairy and beef cattle, hogs, chickens, and occasionally turkeys; and tended large gardens that Sandy and the children harvested and canned. Over the years, they expanded their farm with an additional 160 acres and acquired six rental properties in Dubuque and Asbury, which they continued to maintain. Sandy took charge of painting and interior upkeep, while Richard handled handyman work, lawn care, and snow removal.

Along with being a lifelong farmer who valued integrity, hard work, and service to his community. Richard enjoyed traveling with Sandy all over the world, especially their annual trips to Hawaii, and their many trips to Europe, Australia, and Arizona. They shared a love of dancing, volunteering, and spending time with their growing family. His quiet generosity, strong faith, and willingness to help anyone in need defined the way he lived.

Richard is survived by his wife Sandy; their children Debbie (Gaylon) Heinrich of Springville, IA, Terry (Sara) Pfab of Dubuque, IA, Sherry (Dale) Theisen of Bernard, IA, Kevin (Debra) Pfab of Bernard, IA, Randy (Jessica) Pfab of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Mark (Nancy) Pfab of Glendale, AZ and Traverse City, MI. Together, they formed a close-knit family that was always the center of Richard's life.

He was especially proud of the generations that followed. His grandchildren-Conway Heinrich, Cassie Watkins, Jamie Heinrich, Ashley Heinrich, Chad Pfab, Mindy Brown, Rachel Fritz, Sebastian Fox, Isiah Pfab, Ryland Pfab, Kaitlyn Adams, Ella Adams, Zachary Adams, Logan Adams, Joshua Theisen, Michelle Menadue, Tony Theisen, Cody Theisen, Mathew Pfab, Elizabeth Turnis, Calvin Pfab, Isaac Pfab, Savannah Pfab, Samara O'Brien-Cirkl, Austin Blackman, and Sydney Blackman; along with his many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, brought him endless pride and joy.

Richard is survived by his siblings:
Veronica (Allen) Burds of Epworth, Eileen (Ray Bliesmer) Conlan Morken of Parker, CO, Eugene Pfab, Robert (Barb) Pfab of Dubuque, Roger (Linda) Pfab, Delbert Pfab of Cascade, IA, Carl Pfab of Flowery Branch, GA; and sister-in-law Gaby Pfab of Monroe, OH and Bertha Pfab of Asbury, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father- and mother-in-law Harry and Velma Maiden; his brothers Raymond, Melvin, Baby Pfab, David, Gary, Leroy, and Clarence Pfab; sisters-in-law Karen Pfab, Pam Pfab, Leslie Pfab, Nancy Pfab, Darlene (Maiden) Plumley and Sharon (Maiden) McVay; brother-in-law Richard Maiden, Dave Conlan, Don Morken; and daughter-in-law Shelley Pfab (Fox).

Here is a great article the Telegraph Herald created on the Richard and Sandy Pfab love story: https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_91d74b10-559a-11ef-85eb-13e2846cc431.html.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Hawkeye Care Center in Dubuque, and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care and support during Richard's final couple weeks.