Obituary for Richard Lee Pace

Richard Lee Pace passed away on November 15, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 84.

Richard is survived by his wife, Gloria; three sons, Rick, Randy, and Rich; one daughter, Robin Peterson; three daughters-in-law, Kim, Connie, and Pepper; and one son-in-law, Tom Peterson. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Other survivors include one sister, Judy Krueger; one brother, Dean Pace; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rex and Jan Leanhart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Catherine Pace; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ruben and Martha Parrish; two sisters, Carol Clark and Jeanie Pace; two brothers-in-law, Dean Clark and David Krueger; and one sister-in-law, Betty Jo Leanhart.

Richard was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 4, 1940. He grew up and attended school in Liberty Center, Iowa, where he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball and cruising the countryside with his friends. In 1958, he met Gloria Parrish of Indianola, who would become his wife of 66 years. The two were married on October 16, 1958, and welcomed three children—Rick, Randy, and Robin—over the next four years.

In his early years, Richard worked on various farms and delivered eggs with his father before eventually becoming a carpet layer in and around Des Moines. In the late 1960s, he, Gloria, and their three children moved to Burlington, Iowa, where he continued laying carpet and running his own business. In the early 1970s, the family moved to Danville, Iowa, as Richard began his career with Burlington Northern Railroad, where he worked until retiring in 2004. In 1975, the family welcomed another child, Richard Allen.

Over the years, Richard enjoyed being a Boy Scout Master, helping coach Little League baseball, and participating in many family and community activities.

In the late 1980s, he and Gloria began ballroom dancing with their best friends, John and Judy Brayton, and spent many years attending dancing events and traveling on vacations across the country. Richard loved watching Westerns and all sports, but above all, his family was his pride and joy—especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the highlight of his later years.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Richard will be deeply missed.

Richard will be cremated and remain with the love of his life, Gloria, until her passing, at which time they will be buried together. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.