Richard 'Dick' Rockhill
November 2, 1932 — July 18, 2023
Richard “Dick” Rockhill of Center Point, Iowa, formerly of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away July 18, 2023, at his daughter’s home in Center Point. Based on Dick’s request there will be no formal service, but a Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, Wakema Park Pavilion, 1008 Brook Street, Center Point. A private family burial will be held at the Center Point Cemetery. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Center Point, assisted the family.
Born November 2, 1932, in Conrad, Iowa. He graduated from Marshalltown High School, Class of 1951. He served our country in the Navy from 1952 to 1956, stationed in Wichita, Kansas, and on the Ticonderoga Aircraft carrier. When he left the Navy, he went to work for Iowa Electric Light & Power in Marshalltown at the Sutherland Station (where he was known as “Rock”) until 1974 when he moved to Center Point and took a position at the Duane Arnold Nuclear Power plant in Palo, Iowa, until he retired in 1992.
Dick enjoyed bringing old things back to life, especially pedal cars and furniture. He loved to fish, hunt and cut wood for his cabin and family. Dick spent many hours over the years ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas (did so up until this past year) and walked the March of Dimes walk for many years and was a leading contributor to the funds through his connections/friends. He never turned down anyone who needed his help. Dick’s favorite possessions were his ’39 Hudson and his cabin on the Wapsipinicon River. He was not a person who needed “possessions,” but these were exceptions. Dick spent years frying fish for parties at the cabin, he built a smoker which saw many a salmon filet. He loved scouring local garage sales and found a few treasures over the years. Dick always enjoyed a good practical joke especially if he was on the giving end. He raised his family in three houses. Dick did extensive renovations in all three of them. Looking back, it just seemed normal but now we wonder how he found the time to get it all done. Summers always included a family vacation hitting the road at 2 a.m.
For years, his mornings started out helping his daughter get her three sons off to school. Many other hours were spent supporting their sport activities and their lives.
Dick is survived by three daughters: Julie (Mark) Ward of Runnells, Iowa, Janet (Randy) Schminkey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Joanne (Jeff) Jess of Center Point, Iowa; three grandsons, Austin (Morgan) Jess, Brandon (Ashley) Jess, and Cole Jess; a great-granddaughter, Josie Rose Jess; a great-grandson expected in September; a sister, Barbara Koester and brother-in-law, James Koester of Ames, Iowa. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Joseph Foitle of Olathe, Kansas; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Rockhill of Puyallup, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; his parents, Norval and Ida Rockhill; brother, Gilbert of Seattle, Washington; and sister, Mildred Gardner of Grimes, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Hospice of Mercy in Hiawatha or the Center Point American Legion.
Born November 2, 1932, in Conrad, Iowa. He graduated from Marshalltown High School, Class of 1951. He served our country in the Navy from 1952 to 1956, stationed in Wichita, Kansas, and on the Ticonderoga Aircraft carrier. When he left the Navy, he went to work for Iowa Electric Light & Power in Marshalltown at the Sutherland Station (where he was known as “Rock”) until 1974 when he moved to Center Point and took a position at the Duane Arnold Nuclear Power plant in Palo, Iowa, until he retired in 1992.
Dick enjoyed bringing old things back to life, especially pedal cars and furniture. He loved to fish, hunt and cut wood for his cabin and family. Dick spent many hours over the years ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas (did so up until this past year) and walked the March of Dimes walk for many years and was a leading contributor to the funds through his connections/friends. He never turned down anyone who needed his help. Dick’s favorite possessions were his ’39 Hudson and his cabin on the Wapsipinicon River. He was not a person who needed “possessions,” but these were exceptions. Dick spent years frying fish for parties at the cabin, he built a smoker which saw many a salmon filet. He loved scouring local garage sales and found a few treasures over the years. Dick always enjoyed a good practical joke especially if he was on the giving end. He raised his family in three houses. Dick did extensive renovations in all three of them. Looking back, it just seemed normal but now we wonder how he found the time to get it all done. Summers always included a family vacation hitting the road at 2 a.m.
For years, his mornings started out helping his daughter get her three sons off to school. Many other hours were spent supporting their sport activities and their lives.
Dick is survived by three daughters: Julie (Mark) Ward of Runnells, Iowa, Janet (Randy) Schminkey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Joanne (Jeff) Jess of Center Point, Iowa; three grandsons, Austin (Morgan) Jess, Brandon (Ashley) Jess, and Cole Jess; a great-granddaughter, Josie Rose Jess; a great-grandson expected in September; a sister, Barbara Koester and brother-in-law, James Koester of Ames, Iowa. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Joseph Foitle of Olathe, Kansas; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Rockhill of Puyallup, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; his parents, Norval and Ida Rockhill; brother, Gilbert of Seattle, Washington; and sister, Mildred Gardner of Grimes, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Hospice of Mercy in Hiawatha or the Center Point American Legion.
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