Dr. Richard ‘Dick’ Squiers, 81

March 4, 1940 —

May 27, 2021

 

MARSHALLTOWN - Dr. Richard M. “Dick” Squiers, age 81, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 27, 2021 surrounded by his loving family and in the care of the exceptional, compassionate staff at the Iowa River Hospice Home. 

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the First Congregational Church in Marshalltown.  Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery with military honors provided by the combined Marshalltown VFW and American Legion. 

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Iowa River Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Dick was born on March 4, 1940 in Belle Plaine, Iowa to Richard and Ruth Squiers. He later moved to Cresco, Iowa, where he spent most of his childhood years. In 1954, he met the love of his life, Julie, with whom he went on to marry in 1960. Together they raised four children, who adored their father.

After graduating as valedictorian from Notre Dame High School in 1958, Dick went on to attend Loras College and then the University of Iowa, where he followed his dream of becoming a dentist. He graduated Dental School in 1965, all while juggling the role of a new father.

During the escalation of the Vietnam War, Dick served as Captain in the U.S. Air Force at K.I. Sawyer AFB in Upper Michigan from 1965-67. There, he was invited by his fighter pilot friends to become an honorary member of the Fighter Squadron, something of which he was extremely proud of.

Dick moved to Marshalltown with his family in 1967 and opened his dental practice. From that moment on, the town became the place where he was meant to be, the home he loved. His first foray into community service was joining the Jaycees, where he met people who became his lifelong friends. 

Dick was committed to giving back to the town he loved and was involved in many organizations, such as the First Congregational Church, Chamber of Commerce and the United Way. He was chairman of the YM/YW Board in 1979 as well as a lifelong member of Rotary and the Iowa Dental Society. In 1971, he traveled to Haiti for two weeks to administer dental treatment to those without access.

One could go on and on singing Dick’s praises, but these did not define him. What defined him was the way he lived his life. He was a simple, humble man who never put himself above others and believed everyone deserved fair treatment.

Family was everything to him. He was a loving father and grandfather, doting husband and caring brother and son. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with those he loved. 

What most people don’t realize is that Dick had three families. His blood family, his office family and his patients. Marshalltown Family Dentistry was just that — family. His staff started working there —and stayed. Their motto was “We are Family” and they were. His patients made up his third family. He wanted to know them personally and never turned away anyone in need.

Dick loved life and being active. Some favorite pursuits included pheasant hunting, fishing at Ghost River and following the Iowa Hawkeyes He loved spending time at his beloved Clear Lake home trying to teach his children’s friends (many friends) to water-ski. Sometimes successfully, others not. Fortunately, no one drowned. He could also cut a mean jitterbug with Julie and always was the center of attention dancing to “Old Time Rock and Roll” at weddings.

He will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. 

Dick is survived by his wife, Julie; four children, Beth (Tony) Jones, Sarah Barten, Emily (Kent) Carson and Phil (Carole) Squiers; 11 grandchildren, Sam and Luke Jones, Kara, Abby, Noah, Jacob, Joe and Katherine Barten and Nick, Mayah and Drew Carson; his mother, Ruth Squiers; four brothers, two sisters and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Squiers; his brother, Joe Squiers; and his son-in-law Pat Barten.