Richard G. Damrow

Born in Holdrege, Nebraska on February 18, 1949
Departed on February 24, 2009. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

** Dick Damrow, 60, died Tuesday February 24, 2009 at the University of Iowa Hospitals from injuries suffered in a fall at his Cedar Rapids home. Dick was a man of great faith and lived his life as a servant of Christ. His network of friends, business associates, and family was immense. Memorial services at 11:00 AM on Friday at New Covenant Bible Church. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jen Bear, a daughter, Debbie Damrow of Hastings Nebraska, four sons; Scott and wife, Tracy of Omaha, Nebraska; Andy and wife Sara of Seoul, Korea; Anthony and Adam both of Des Moines; his father, Don of Lexington, Nebraska; a sister, Linda Slothower (Gordon) of Springdale, Arkansas; brothers, Dennis (Sherry), of Johnson Lake, Nebraska and Marty (Jody) of Holdrege, Nebraska, Mary Jen’s children, Erik (Cindy) Bear and Rhet (Miranda) Bear. He is also survived by grandchildren, Cody, Bryce and Simon Damrow, Alex, Mason, Olivia, Honorae, Grant, Rae and Makenna.

Dick was born February 18, 1949 in Holdrege, Nebraska to Don and June Damrow. He was a graduate of Holdrege High School and Hastings College, both in Nebraska. He loved to travel with Mary Jen. They enjoyed working in their yard and spending quiet times in the hammock. He was so proud of his children and delighted in time spent with his grandchildren. His work was demanding and rewarding to him, especially when he was mentoring an entrepreneur in a new business start-up. He was always seeking to connect individuals and groups in his network that would benefit by knowing each other.
At the time of his death, Dick was Vice President for Marketing Resources, Stamats Communications and was “Captain” of Contract Marketing Resources, Business Propellers, his marketing consulting firm. During his 30 plus year career in advertising and marketing communications, he had worked with more than 150 national brands and more than 50 Fortune 500 companies. He was Executive Vice President of Carmichael Lynch Advertising Agency in Minneapolis before moving to Cedar Rapids in 1992 when he was recruited by Young & Rubican Global Advertising Network. Dick was a Certified Business Communicator (CBC), a Certified Professional Consultant (CPC), a former Midwest Direct Marketer of the Year, faculty member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies Advanced Advertising Institute, and was named to the Cedar Rapids Advertising Federation Hall of Fame in 2002.

Per Dick’s request as a tissue donor he’ll be able to help more than 100 people, one more way that Dick continues to give to others. The memorial funds are New Covenant Bible Church where Dick was an active member, the National Czech and Slovak Museum, and Theatre Cedar Rapids. He was on the board of each of the latter and passionate about their revitalization after the devastation of the floods of 2008.

Visitation

Service