Memorial

Richard Moore (Dick) Pitner, 81, of Cedar Rapids passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. A Celebration of his Life will be scheduled later this year.  

Dick was born in Sioux City, IA on October 3, 1940 to Richard W. and Dorothy (Youngren) Pitner. He graduated from Sioux City Central High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa. Dick married Dolores (Dee) Lohff on August 12, 1967 in Iowa City. They then moved to Cedar Rapids and Dick began teaching social studies at John F. Kennedy High School from its founding in 1967 until his retirement in 2002. Dick and Dee lived continuously in Cedar Rapids, except for a one-year sabbatical when Dick worked at Social Science Education Consortium in Boulder, CO. 

Dick was known for his sincerity, curiosity, and irreverent humor. He was passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for U.S. history, sociology, and Model United Nations with students at Kennedy. Dick had a special interest in military history, particularly naval history, and pursued this avocation through extensive reading and visits to museums, battlefields, and other historic sites. He enjoyed taking long walks with Dee, talking to interesting strangers, viewing and boarding tall ships, reading the novels of Ian Fleming, C.S. Forester, and Patrick O’Brian, and watching Hawkeye football and basketball. He volunteered with Dee at musical and cultural programs at Brucemore and Theatre Cedar Rapids, and was active in local Democratic politics.  

Some of his favorite memories include playing toy soldiers with his cousin Steve; driving from Iowa to California after high school with his lifelong friends; spending time and growing professionally with teachers who started together at Kennedy; camping with friends and family at Yellow River State Forest; attending summer workshops at the National Archives and universities such as Princeton, Brown, and Michigan; touring Alaska with Dee and her brother John; realizing a childhood dream of journeying to Jack London’s cabin in the Yukon; cruising the Danube, Rhine, and Rhône rivers; experiencing his grandchildren’s activities; and visiting family and close friends while traveling with Dee across all 50 states and 28 countries, mostly in Europe.  

Dick is survived by his three children, Lisa (Matt) Caterine of Overland Park, KS, Tim (Jill) Pitner of Silver Spring, MD, and Tom Pitner of Overland Park; and four grandchildren, Ben and Nick Caterine and Janie and Ellie Pitner. He is preceded in death by his wife and partner in life Dee; and his sister Barbara Ogden.

Dick and his children deeply appreciate the assistance and companionship of his many friends, especially after Dee’s passing. 

Memorials may be directed in Dick’s name to Brucemore, Indian Creek Nature Center, or Theatre Cedar Rapids.