Obituary for Richard H. Mordaunt

Richard H. Mordaunt Jr. (Dick), 66, of Springville, Iowa, peacefully passed away on Monday, November 5th, 2007, after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. Dick was cremated followed by a graveside service and burial in the Nevada Cemetery next to his first born son with family and close friends present. There will be an outdoor celebration of his life for family and friends at a later date. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Linda, daughter, Kate, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., son, Chris, of Chicago, Il., sisters Cindy Mordaunt Rosborough of Springville, Ia., and Jean Mordaunt Dursum of Traverse City, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his 7 week old son, Garrett, father Richard H. Mordaunt, M.D., and his mother, Ted, of Nevada, Iowa. Dick was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 26th, 1941, and grew up in Nevada, Iowa. He loved the outdoors no matter what the weather was like. He enjoyed hunting with his friends, and with his family, playing tennis, fishing in Canada, taking long distance motorcycle trips to Nova Scotia and Alaska, cheering for the Hawkeyes and chasing down another exquisite pocket watch for his collection. He enjoyed every minute of every day. If you were lucky enough to be one of Dick’s many friends, you knew how special he was because he made you feel special – he made you laugh at him and at yourself. Dick was a man of his word who would virtually do anything or go anywhere for a friend. Dick cherished his family. Linda was his partner, best friend and wife after they met at Drake University in 1963. Chris and Kate brought him the happiness and fulfillment that all parents experience and a sense of pride as they chose to exhibit the independent spirit that all Mordaunts seem to inherit. Dick was very active with memberships in diverse organizations such as the University of Iowa President’s Club and Kinnick Society, Cedar Rapids Claims Association, Elmcrest Country Club, Optimists Club, Pheasants Forever, the World Watch and Clock Organization and the Stumptown Shooters, our fireworks group. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s name to the University of Iowa Foundation Boat House Project, St. Luke’s Hospice, or Pheasants Forever. The family wishes to thank Dr. Ghosh and his staff and the staff of St. Luke’s Hospice for their care of Dick through his journey.