Obituary for Richard "Rich" Koolbeck

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Athlete, Teacher, Coach, Referee, Friend.  Richard (Rich) Koolbeck, passed away on May 29th, but the mark he made throughout his life in the many roles he played will endure for a long time.  Born May 5, 1935 in Boyden, Iowa to Jacob, a butcher, and Elsie, a teacher, he reveled in small town living throughout his youth.  The family moved to Garner when Rich was about 12, and it was there he found academic and athletic success and most importantly, met the love of his life, Marjorie Greiman.  Married in 1956, Rich and Marge enjoyed 66 years of marriage together while raising three sons.  Rich began his teaching and coaching career at Belmond High School in Iowa where he had the pleasure of coaching several outstanding athletes and teams.  After a couple of short stints in Arizona and at NIACC, Rich settled into a long teaching career at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.  While at Kirkwood, he was the first coach of the baseball and basketball programs and taught all levels of math to thousands of students.  It was here that Rich also began officiating High School athletics culminating in an appointment to the Iowa High School officials Hall of Fame.  

Rich is survived by his wife, Marge, sons Mike (Tammy), Dave (Tammy), and Jeff (Melanie), grandchildren Jesse (Jocelyn), Kayla (Dustin), Josh, Tyler, Jake, Adam (C.C.), Allie (Eric) and Maddie (Kyler), and great grandchildren Corrina, Isla, Wesley, Raelyn, Margot and Dino. 

His family will carry on his love for sports, his quick wit and jokes, his soft spot for sweets, his dedication to family and his enthusiasm for travel.  

A celebration of life is being planned for June 16th at Cedar Hills Community Church at 1 PM.   Interment will be at Concord Cemetery, Garner, Iowa on July 22nd, where another celebration will also be held. 

Gifts and memorials can be made in Rich’s honor to CR netWORK, PO Box 1602, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406, www.CRnetwork.org.