Mr. Pitner was a fine teacher, role model and true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor. I was sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed.
Dan McClain
February 17, 2022
Great teacher.
I really enjoyed him and his classes.
Dan Greenwood
February 6, 2022
All of us at the Indian Creek Nature Center were sad to learn of Dick’s passing, especially so soon after Dee’s. Dick was obviously a gifted and treasured teacher, judging by the many memories of him shared in this space. We admire much about him and his life, including his roles as enricher of minds, adventurer, humorist, and so much more. To Dick’s children and grandchildren we send our sincerest condolences. May you find comfort and peace in nature at this challenging time. Thank you for sharing your parents with us.
Nancy Lackner
February 4, 2022
I had Mr Pitner for SS in 85/86, very soft spoken teacher. We watched A LOT of movies and I have to say I had a really hard time staying awake and I remember snoring a few times. All in all he was a great teacher - RIP Mr Pitner.
Joanne Pontius-Bauer
February 3, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. I had Mr. Pitner for my 10th grade Social Studies class. Every day was different. I learned so much. RIP Mr. Pitner.
Judy Maher Campbell
February 2, 2022
Lisa, Tim, and Tom,
My deepest sympathy to you on the passing of your father. Dick and I were social studies teaching and Model UN colleagues for many years and participated together in many U of Iowa summer institutes and Iowa Global Education events. He was truly a remarkable person with deep knowledge and tremendous insights into human nature. Dick was innovative, teaching me much about how to be successful in the classroom focusing on getting students to think and analyze deeper. He was also a lot of fun to be around. I know his influence on young people will continue to be felt for years to come.
Paul Schramm
January 31, 2022
Lisa, Tim and Tom, You already know that your parents were very special people. All our family are sad that you have lost them both now but do hope you find comfort that they are together again. We can just picture them walking together in the neighborhood just like they always did for so many years.
Gretchen and Mike Sullivan
January 30, 2022
I was one of the first to greet Richard when he first came to Grand Living and so only knew him briefly, but I could tell from our extended conversations that he was a quality person and very interesting to talk to. My condolences to Richard's family, some of whom I met at Dee's memorial. May Richard rest in peace.
Jerry Chaffee
January 30, 2022
Godspeed Mr. Pitner. My favorite teacher at Kennedy. My deepest condolences to the family, especially Tim, my friend..
Benjamin Burdt
January 30, 2022
Mr. Pitner and the rest of the young, unabashedly liberal Studies Department at Kennedy H.S. in the late 60's helped me and others understand and come to grips with the issues of great importance when I was at Kennedy. We learned through discussion, research, simulations, Issues Week, and other teaching techniques unlike those used in most other classes in the era. Mr. Pitner's calm and thoughtful demeanor and frequent humor were a large piece of that experience. I was very happy and flattered to talk with Dick a few years ago and discover he recalled my name and my summer job at Cedar Memorial Cemetery. He was just as I remembered him. My sincere sympathies to Dick's, to me ever Mr. Pitner's, family.
Bill Nicholson
January 30, 2022
I started at Kennedy as a sophomore in 1967 and had Me. Pitner for social studies. It is an understatement to say he was my favorite teacher. The impact he (and Dee) had on my life cannot be quantified.
Among my memories are the time they took me to a protest against the war at the IMU where we was tear gased and the times they trusted me to babysit the infant Lisa. I last saw him in 2005 when he came to my mother’s funeral and took time to come to her home afterwards to spend some time with my brother, sister and me.
He was a great educator and a good man. May he Rest In Peace.
Katie McPartland Thornton
January 30, 2022
Dick was the kind of man that helped make me what I have become. He saw things that others did not see and conveyed them with a wit that was piercing and educational. You could not be around him without benefitting from the experience. He was different things to others, but he was a friend to me. I always treasured our interactions. He did so much for all those he touched. I join with his family and friends as we all celebrate his life. We are all better because he was here.
William C. Jacobson Fellow educator.
william Jacobson
January 30, 2022
Any time spent with Dick Pitner was a treat. Anne and I were educators in the system for years. I spent many a day in social study meetings with Dick down at the old Board building. As mentioned, when Kennedy opened there were a bunch of young guns, all of whom had something to say all of the time! It was always crazy--but lots always was accomplished. Dick was always in the middle making good things happen. I also spent lots of summers teaching summer school at Kennedy--in Pitner's room. The news papers and Dick were a legend around the system. it was said that 30 kids could be in the room--but you could not see them. Yet they all knew what was going on in the world!!! Rest in peace--we all love you and Dee.
Jack and Anne Pilling
January 30, 2022
This is such sad news. Richard and Dee were wonderful Cedar Rapids neighbors ever since the 70's when my wife and I moved to the NE side. I always enjoyed watching Dee and Richard go out for their almost daily walks, sometimes for long distances, Dee leading the way and Dick trailing behind and trying to keep us. I worked with Dee on several occasions on Election Day, and after she died I missed seeing Dick in the neighborhood after he moved to Grand Living. When I visited there on two occasions to give a program, Dick was in the audience both times. I will miss him. My sincerest condolences to his three children and their families, and to all who knew and appreciated this man. I hope I will hear word of his memorial service as I would like to be there.
Floyd Sandford
January 30, 2022
I remember your parents through Debate circles at WHS.....I am so sad to know they are both passed.....what a fine amazing family....
Sally and Gene Kopecky
January 30, 2022
I started at Kennedy as a sophomore in 1967 and had Me. Pitner for social studies. It is an understatement to say he was my favorite teacher. The impact he (and Dee) had on my life cannot be quantified.
Among my memories are the time they took me to a protest against the war at the IMU where we was tear gased and the times they trusted me to babysit the infant Lisa. I last saw him in 2005 when he came to my mother’s funeral and took time to come to her home afterwards to spend some time with my brother, sister and me.
He was a great educator and a good man. May he Rest In Peace.
Katie McPartland Thornton
January 30, 2022
I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Pitner's passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at Kennedy in the early 80's. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May his memory be eternal.
Tina M Margellos
January 29, 2022
So very sorry for your loss! It was a world class teacher who cared about his kids and every student teacher that came through the doors at Kennedy. I have many fond memories of working with him and had many laughs while trying to convert his hand written notes to type sheets.
Vera Ruchotzke
January 29, 2022
I’m very sorry to hear about your dad. I can still remember all the stories my dad would tell me about their time at Iowa together. Many nights were spent at The Hamburg Inn having political debates well into the night. One of my personal highlights was when your dad came over to Wash to teach a social studies class, he was the best! I miss seeing your mom and dad walking all over town, they always gave me a happy wave as we drove by. Hugs to all of you!
Stacey (Kane) Gianforte
January 29, 2022
The only food allowed in his class: Life Savers suckers 1 for $.15 or 2 for $.25.
In one of my classes, we watched 65 films-filmstrips-slides in 57 days...yes, I kept track.
RIP Mr. P...
Paul Hanson
January 28, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Pittner’s passing. I loved having him as a teacher in the late 80’s at Kennedy. I had the honor of re-connecting with him this past summer when my dad moved into the Grand and they were neighbors. Although my dad was there only a short time, he and Dick shared many a conversation over coffee sitting on the patio. I know it brought my dad some peace and comfort in his final days. Embrace the tears and the memories and take comfort in the knowledge that he touched more lives than you will ever know.
Karin Ryan
January 28, 2022
So sorry to hear about Mr Pitner’s passing. One of my favorite teachers at Kennedy. I will always remember his classes , the movies we watched and his selling Lifesaver lollipops before movies to raise funds for Model UN group. It is because of him I am a history buff and have been since graduating in 1987. My condolences to his family.
John Carney
January 28, 2022
So sorry to hear of Mr. Punter’s passing. I graduated Kennedy in 1981 and thoroughly enjoyed learning from him. He inspired a lifelong love of history in me. My condolences to his family.
Paul Bolds-Moorehead
January 27, 2022