Richard E. Blok
July 9, 1926 — May 20, 2008
Richard E. “Dick” Blok, 81, of 1201 Berry’s Run, Marion, died Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at his home, following a sudden illness. Services: 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2008, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion by Pastor Becky High. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home where a Masonic Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. by Springville Lodge No. 139 with all Master Masons to meet at 6:30 p.m. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post No. 298 of Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Rose; two sons, JR and wife, Kathy of Marion and Don and wife, Shelley of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Jodi, Amanda, Hayley, and Kevin; and a sister, Betty (Charles) Draker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.
Dick was born the second son of Neal and Mary (Gunderson) Blok on July 9, 1926, in Marion. He graduated from Marion High School in 1944. In his freshman year he played on the Varsity golf team and they won first place in the regional tournament. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as crew chief in the South Pacific. Returning from service he was employed by Collins Radio and proudly played professional basketball on their team. He married Rose Reed on March 25, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Clarinda. All his life he was a sports lover and especially basketball, golf, and Iowa Hawkeyes. Next in his life, he was employed by A.J. Latimar as an acoustical ceiling installer usually in Dubuque. Following this he worked with his brother, Bernard, in construction. After a few years he opened his own construction company and was busy in the housing business. One of his proudest achievements was a castle on the Alburnett Road, and another a beautiful home for Jack Carfrae on Tama Street. He was a charter member of the Marion Homebuilders Association and twice was elected their president.
Dick was a lifelong member of Marion Christian Church, a fifty year member of the Masonic Lodge, a fifty year member and Past Patron of Marion Chapter No. 183 Order of the Eastern Star, the American Legion, and in healthier days Consistory and the Shriners.
Dick loved camping, winter trips to The Sunshine State and fishing. Dick was one of the good guys, good to his parents, good to his wife, good to his children, and grandchildren, and was happy to build good homes in Marion for his home buyers. We will all miss him but believe we will meet again and he will be looking for us.
A memorial fund has been established in Dick’s memory.
Survivors include his wife, Rose; two sons, JR and wife, Kathy of Marion and Don and wife, Shelley of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Jodi, Amanda, Hayley, and Kevin; and a sister, Betty (Charles) Draker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.
Dick was born the second son of Neal and Mary (Gunderson) Blok on July 9, 1926, in Marion. He graduated from Marion High School in 1944. In his freshman year he played on the Varsity golf team and they won first place in the regional tournament. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as crew chief in the South Pacific. Returning from service he was employed by Collins Radio and proudly played professional basketball on their team. He married Rose Reed on March 25, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Clarinda. All his life he was a sports lover and especially basketball, golf, and Iowa Hawkeyes. Next in his life, he was employed by A.J. Latimar as an acoustical ceiling installer usually in Dubuque. Following this he worked with his brother, Bernard, in construction. After a few years he opened his own construction company and was busy in the housing business. One of his proudest achievements was a castle on the Alburnett Road, and another a beautiful home for Jack Carfrae on Tama Street. He was a charter member of the Marion Homebuilders Association and twice was elected their president.
Dick was a lifelong member of Marion Christian Church, a fifty year member of the Masonic Lodge, a fifty year member and Past Patron of Marion Chapter No. 183 Order of the Eastern Star, the American Legion, and in healthier days Consistory and the Shriners.
Dick loved camping, winter trips to The Sunshine State and fishing. Dick was one of the good guys, good to his parents, good to his wife, good to his children, and grandchildren, and was happy to build good homes in Marion for his home buyers. We will all miss him but believe we will meet again and he will be looking for us.
A memorial fund has been established in Dick’s memory.
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