Memorial
Richard "Dick" Edmund Deasy, age 80, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday afternoon January 2, 2016 with his loving wife of 59 years, Jean, by his bedside.
Dick was born on May 27, 1935 in Chicago, IL to Emmett and Frances (Bielinski) Deasy. Dick was raised in Chicago, when in high school he was an Andy Frain Usher at Wrigley Field and Chicago Stadium and a life guard on Lake Michigan. He joined the IL National Guard partly because good food was served at the meetings but was honorably discharged after 4 months when they discovered he was only 14 years old. Dick graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1953 and was voted Outstanding Senior in a class of 1900. While in school he was on the track, wrestling, and football teams and was named to the first team all-city in football. Dick accepted a football scholarship to the University of Iowa where he played for coach Forrest Evashevski and was elected co-captain for the 1956 team that won the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl, beating Oregon State 35-19 on January 1, 1957. In college Dick was also a member of the track team, the Letterman's Club, the Dolphin Club, ROTC, and Tau Beta Pi and Omicron Delta Kappa fraternities. He received the U of Iowa freshman athletic scholarship trophy and the U of Iowa Athletic Board Scholarship trophy given to a graduating senior.
On April 21, 1956, Dick married Jean Flower at Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls, IA. They moved from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids in 1957 when Jean was hired to teach math at Franklin Junior High. Dick then commuted to Iowa City to graduate school. Later they raised a son, David, and a daughter, Katherine.
Dick graduated in 1958 with a BSEE in electrical engineering and one year of graduate work. He was hired at Collins Radio Company where he worked as a design engineer on HF data systems for the US Navy until 1962. He was then involved in the design of the first fast tune HF antenna coupler. In 1966 he became the manager of the Antenna Coupler/Filter/Antenna Systems design group. In 1979 he became the manager of the HF products engineering department. Dick has seven patents related to Rockwell Collins products. Dick was chosen Engineer of the Year in 1978. He was an IEEE member program chairman and secretary. Dick enjoyed his job at Collins especially the design work. He didn't especially like to travel but was sent many places both here and abroad when he was needed. He worked on many kinds of aircraft. In support of products he designed and built he worked on Air Force One and the Stealth Bomber. He retired in 1996.
Dick enjoyed watching U of Iowa sports, the Cubs, and the Bears. He played in volleyball leagues - Collins and church, liked to fish, but mainly liked working in the yard. After retirement he took a landscaping class at Kirkwood. He played golf on occasion but football injuries and arthritis keep him from enjoying it. He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church where he served on the church council for several years. Above all he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was hardworking, honest, generous and kind. Everyone liked him. He will be missed very much.
Dick is survived by his wife, Jean; son David (Dawn) Deasy of Bettendorf; daughter Katherine (Jai) Deasy of Coralville; grandchildren Nicholas and Elizabeth of Bettendorf; brothers Bob (Carol) of New Lisbon, WI, Jerry of Chicago, and Wayne (Marilyn) of Chicago; brother-in-law Jon Flower of Bettendorf; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and very special friend Georges Guiliano of France. He was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Cremation rights have been accorded.
Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice, The University of Iowa Foundation, Intercollegiate Sports Scholarship Fund, or St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids.