Richard Maxson Obituary

Richard L. Maxson age 94 passed away Monday 17 November, 2014 at his home

He was born in Webster City, Iowa where he attended high school and Jr. college. He then attended York College in Nebraska. During college he and five buddies enlisted together in the Army in 1940. He received a medical discharge in December 1944. He became a Staff Sergeant, worked as a crew chief on P-38's in North Africa and Sicily in what was then known as the Army-Air Corps during WWII.

Married Darlene Rognehaugh (also an Iowan) in 1945. She was the Medical secretary for the doctor on Ward E-3 at Fitzsimons Gen Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, where Richard was being treated after his medical discharge.

After discharge he worked as a Timekeeper for Armour & Co. in Denver. They moved back to Iowa soon after their first son was born where he took an apprenticeship working for two small newspapers: the Thompson Courier and the Rake Register. A daughter was born while in Iowa.

Desiring to return to CO he secured a sales job with the Denver Post travelling the Rocky Mtn Empire. They settled down in Colorado Springs where two more sons and another daughter were born. As family grew to seven, Dick decided to quit road travel and took a job with the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired in 1973. To supplement their income he also worked part-time as custodian for Redeemer Lutheran Church and school for 31 years.

He was active in Boy Scouts when growing up as well as in Scout Leadership later in life. He enjoyed singing, music, fishing, golfing, bowling and traveling. In their motor-home they enjoyed Canada, several National Parks, and seeing their families around the country; saw Scandinavia and Germany on a Lutheran Heritage tour and in 2012, when 91, went to Costa Rica.

He will be remembered as a hard-working and caring husband and father. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Harold L & Lucile (McCollough) Maxson, his younger brother James Maxson an AF pilot, an infant brother and sister Harold Dean and Lona Marie and a son Gary Maxson, Vietnam Veteran.

He is survived by wife Darlene Maxson, son: C. Kent (Janice) Maxson and Richard G (Stephanie) Maxson, both of CO Springs, daughter: Karen Zimmerman of Huron, S.D, and Deanna (Wayne) Riddering of Nipomo, California; 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two sisters: Zada (Rolly) Utzinger, and Donna (Thurman) Glenn of Rockwell, TX.