Richard "Rick" S. Luse

Richard “Rick” Luse went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the evening of July 26, 2025 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born to Carl E Luse, PhD and Marjorie (Ryals) Luse on February 14, 1947 in Centerville, Iowa. He was the middle child with two sisters, Sandy and Candy. Rick graduated from City High in Iowa City in 1965 and the University of Iowa in 1972 with a degree in Business Management.

Rick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and was honorably discharged in February 1970. His service in Vietnam was honored with the Navy Commendation Medal and with V device for valor. He was also nominated for the Bronze Star.

On June 20 1970 he married Sammi Jo Adams, the love of his life at the Presbyterian Church in Blue Grass, Iowa. They were blessed with three children Cedra, Tony, and Janelle. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Rick worked as a manager on two large cattle farms, one in Unionville, Missouri and the other in Alton, Illinois. In 1984 he went to work for the ServiceMaster Company where he was the Director of Housekeeping in three large hospitals, two in Manhattan, Kansas, and one in Topeka, Kansas. In 1988 he became the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Marshalltown School District in Iowa, and then moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to manage one of the largest accounts in the United States, Hamilton County School District where he retired from in 2007.

He and Sammi Jo returned to Marshalltown after his retirement to be near their children and grandchildren. Rick was a member of New Hope Christian Church, Iowa River Gun Club, Steamboat Rock Gun Club, and the NRA. Through the years, Rick enjoyed showing dogs, Doberman Pinchers and Smooth Fox Terriers. He was an avid bulls-eye pistol shooter earning all 10 levels for the NRA sharp shooter. Rick also enjoyed driving, drag racing, and showing his 2011 supercharged Camaro. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and hearing about their academic achievements. He enjoyed watching his great grandchildren play.

Left to cherish his memory is Sammi Jo his wife of 55 years, his three children, Cedra (David) Baccam, Tony Luse, and Janelle (Brad) Avise, his six grandchildren, DJ Baccam, Lafawn (Andy) Kral, Cole Baccam and girlfriend, Marina Ruppel, Tori Luse, Kadin Skala and fiancé, Anna Dilorio, and Bella Avise, four great grandsons, Dezmond Baccam, Jack, Matthew, and Tommy Kral, and one step great granddaughter, Alenzcia Baccam, his sisters, Sandy Hill and Candy Wenger, and many nieces and nephews.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers-in-law Arthur Hill and Donnie Wenger.

Funeral services for Rick will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 beginning at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025 in Unionville, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rick’s name may be designated to Iowa River Hospice. To send a condolence to the family, please contact 641-844-1234 or visit www.mitchellfh.com for additional information.

Rick Luse was a good, decent man who loved God, his family, his country, and God‘s creation. He was a true American hero, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

-Lovingly written by Rick’s family.