Richard Armstrong | ||
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| Richard Franklin Armstrong, one of four children of Carrie Ann (Lowe) Armstrong and Franklin John Henry Armstrong, was born on August 27, 1921 in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Richard grew up in Diagonal, Iowa where he attended school. During his fourth grade year, Richard’s mother died, and the children were separated and raised by the neighbors. Richard worked as a farm hand until he joined the United States Navy on February 15, 1945. He was stationed aboard the USS William P. Biddle and served as a Seaman Second Class in the galley. Richard had served a little more than eight months when the Department of the Navy determined he should be at home to help care for his ill sister and he was honorably discharged on October 30, 1945.
Richard and Goldie Ann Clark were married in Mt. Ayr, Iowa on October 22, 1938. They made their home in Mt. Ayr and were blessed with four children; Richard Jr., Judy, Roger, and Lois. In 1947, the family moved to Glenwood, Iowa where Richard worked on the Dairy Farm for the Iowa State Hospital School. Richard continued to work at the Dairy until 1951, when he started a 33 year career with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Richard enjoyed hunting and trapping and loved his coffee and chocolate. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Glenwood American Legion. Richard and Goldie had been married 57 years when Goldie died in December 1995. Richard continued to live at their home until October of 2000, when he moved to the Wood Glen Apartments. In 2004, Richard moved to the Glen Haven Home where he and his roommate were bingo champs and also enjoyed visits from area pre-schoolers who always like to look at his dog statues. Richard died at Glen Haven Home on May 11, 2008 at the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Goldie; brothers Galen McCreary and Orville Armstrong and wife Martha; sister Jennie Sicklles and husband Earl; son Richard Armstrong Jr; daughter Judy Armstrong; and son-in-law Frederick Pitchfork. Richard is survived by his son Roger Armstrong of Cheyenne, WY; his daughter Lois Pitchfork of Glenwood; ten grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and one great great grandson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Glen Haven Home 302 6th Street Glenwood, IA 51534 | ||