LOETSCHER, Richard A.

LOETSCHER, Richard A. (Dubuque, IA, July 1, 1928--Dubuque, IA, July 10, 2012) Loetscher graduated from Iowa State University in 1950 with a B.S. degree. The day after graduation he started to work at the FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, which was started by his grandfather, Christian LOETSCHER.

His first job was a "kickchaser" getting orders out of time. He spent six months in 1952 grading lumber for Weyerhauser in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Loetscher designed casement windows and traveled throughout the United States and Canada as a window expert beginning in 1954. (1) He learned to operate every piece of machinery in the plant, and as an employee, was involved with many facets of the "mill," including being a designer of raw products.

When the "mill" closed in 1962, Dick started Dick Loetscher, Inc. and went into land development and construction. Among many projects during his working years were major renovations on both the Stampfer and Roshek buildings. In all his works, Dick was known as a perfectionist and master builder. (2)

Dick was a member of Rover Boys, past president and lifetime member of Dubuque Homebuilders, past president and a 58-year member of the 990 Club of the DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY, and past president of FINLEY HOSPITAL (THE) Board of Trustees with service from 1963-1981. He was a past president and member of the LINWOOD CEMETERY Association, 50+ year member of Masonic Temple, Mosaic Lodge 125, and a member of FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. He was a member of the DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB for 83 years.

Although he loved fishing and hunting with his sons and friends, his main hobby was woodworking, which he started at age eight, encouraged by his father. His beautiful handcrafted furniture is prized by the owners.

Richard married Carole Bartels, his wife of 55 years, on December 30, 1956. A beautiful orchid tree was given by William S. MOLO to the couple in thankfulness to Dick for saving his life when he fell off the "Bart L" into the MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

In the last year of his life, Richard resided at BETHANY HOME, which was built by his grandfather and was the family home of his father.

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Source:

1. Loetscher, Carole. Wood: The History of Farley & Loetscher Manufacturing Company Once the Largest Millwork Company in the World, 2017, p. 3

2. Ibid.

Source:

THonline