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On Sunday evening, November 8, 2015, in the company of his loving family, Dick passed to heaven. He both loved and respected the Mississippi River and called it “God’s country.” Rob helped us to think of Dad’s passing as his final locking through from his paradise on Earth to the rivers of God’s paradise.
Dick and a group of friends started the Mississippi Valley Country Club. They bought boats to refurbish, enjoy, and sell. Summer days at Nine Mile created many memories. What are hash browns without a bit of sand? By the end of his life, Dick calculated that he had owned – in full or in shares – a grand total of 37 boats, every kind and size, but never a sailboat. After a while Dick dubbed all the boats “Another One.” For a while Dick and Pat owned a little jet boat. This evoked laughter from boaters who overheard radio calls, “This is ‘Another One’ calling ‘The Other One.’” Dick always said there will never be a boat called “The Last Another One.”
All eleven grandchildren enjoyed the river and the family gathered for many 4th of July celebrations. A highlight for Dick was piloting the 466 Carver down the river with granddaughter Lauren water-skiing behind on the big wake. Boating always included membership in the Julien Dubuque Yacht Club. Dick loved retelling stories about the dock parties.
The highlight of Dick and Pat’s boating life was the joy of completing the Great Loop and officially becoming “Loopers.” The Loop is a 7,500 mile voyage circumnavigating the eastern half of the United States. The voyage took 8½ months to complete. This was a fabulous adventure for Captain Dick and his First Mate Pat.
When he couldn’t be boating, Dick loved other kinds of adventure. His passion for driving and “need for speed” (just ask his passengers) was enhanced after attending the Bondurant Driving School in Phoenix, AZ. He also enjoyed a NASCAR ride at the Phoenix Speedway. Other adventures included sky diving from 14,500 feet with two of his sisters while attending The Friedman Family Summit at Atlanta, GA and a glider ride in Peoria AZ, over Lake Pleasant where his son John lives on his boat. Dick was the proud owner of a 1993 40th anniversary model Corvette which was a gift to himself when the last child graduated from college.
Richard was born on February 20, 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa the son of Cyril J. and Edith R. (Schiltz) Friedman.
In 1961 he married Louetta Ebeling; they raised four children.
He married Pat Redies on August 13, 1986. This was the best merger of Dick’s life. He and Pat were business partners, best friends, parents, and soul mates for over 29 years.
Dick received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Economics from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1962, following service in the U.S. Army Reserve. His insurance career began as an underwriting trainee with Home Insurance Company of New York in Chicago. He later accepted a position as Multiple Lines Underwriter for the Westfield Insurance Companies in their Ohio home office and was later promoted to Field Underwriter in northern Illinois, specializing in commercial and industrial accounts. In 1966, Dick returned to Dubuque, Iowa and joined Friedman Insurance to begin the third generation in the family insurance agency organized by Henry Friedman in 1928. In 1984, Dick was awarded the CPCU designation (Charted Property and Casualty Underwriter) by the American Institute of Property and Liability Underwriters.
He served as chairman of the Mid-American Technical Conference, and organization representing 19 states and serving the American agency system as a forum for discussion on topics of property and casualty insurance coverages, rules, forms and other technical matters, to provide positive and proactive improvements in these areas.
In May of 1993, the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa selected Dick as the recipient of their most prestigious award, the “H.H. Red Nelson, Agent of the Year.” Dick served the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa for many years and served as president of the organization from August 1998 through August 1999. During this time, Dick guided the merger of the Professional Insurance Agents of Iowa, resulting in one of the leading independent agent trade associations in the country, representing over 8,000 insurance agents in Iowa.
Dick was passionate about education. He encouraged many young insurance industry professionals to participate in insurance education and seek professional designations. Dick established an educational incentive program at Friedman Insurance to encourage and reward professional development. He acted as a mentor and leader, encouraging service and giving back to the industry and local communities.
Throughout his life, Dick served the city of Dubuque and earned numerous awards in recognition for his efforts. More importantly, he made lifelong friends as he worked alongside community members. Among his offices and awards were the Dubuque Jaycees Al Dupont Award 1976, First Citizen Award by Dubuque City Council 1976, President Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce 1979-80, Jaycees Iowa Outstanding Local President 1988, and the Dubuque Jaycees Outstanding Distinguished Service Award 1989. Dick was a board member of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and served on the Clarke University Board of Trustees. Dick was a member of Lord of Life Church in Asbury and served on Stewardship and various fundraising committees.
Their children are Jonathan (Cyndi) Glandorf and grandchildren Natalie and Wyatt of Folsom, CA. Laura (Dennis) Patton and grandchildren Caleb and Noah of Overland Park, KS. John Friedman Lake Pleasant Peoria, AZ. Jean Harbeck and grandchildren Cassidy, Chandler, and Carter of Urbandale, IA. Rob (Monica) Friedman grandchildren Jake, Lauren, Claire, and Kate of Norwalk, IA. Dick was a loving brother to four younger sisters. Janet (Gene) Hayertz of Dubuque, IA. Judy (Bernie) Schlueter of Dublin, OH. Marijo (John) Bierie of Homestead, FL. Patti (Jim) Finkenhoefer of Grayson, GA. Other loving family members include sister and brother-in-law Sharon Redies-Rayner and Orville Rayner. Uncle Larry Friedman of Dubuque. Uncle John and Aunt Jackie Schiltz of Raytown, MO. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Waiting for him in heaven were his parents, son Carlton Glandorf, brother-in-law Douglas Redies, and mother-in-law Beatrice Redies.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 13 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion, Post 6. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m., Thursday at the Church. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Asbury, Hospice of Dubuque, Clarke University Richard P. Friedman Nursing Scholarship, and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
Special thanks to the nursing and respiratory staff on the cardiac unit of Mercy Hospital who cared for Dick during his long hospital stay. No patient had more competent or affectionate care. Warm gratitude to Dr. Eric Engelman, Dr. Mark Janes, Dr. Tom Lally and the hospitalists who gave our family the gift of time and fulfilled Dick’s wish to come home.