Richard A. Eidemiller

MARION, Iowa - Richard A. Eidemiller, 93, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at the Bickford Cottage in Marion.

Richard was born Sept. 29, 1921, in Golf, Ill., the son of Howard and Marguerite (Adams) Eidemiller. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. On March 2, 1943, he married Gloria S. Swanson in Stockton, Calif.

Dick was a man of several interests and abilities. Some of his many endeavors were, a B29 pilot in WWII, owning a Harley Davidson dealership and a photography studio in his early years in Northern Michigan. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1951 to work for Collins Radio Company for 41 years where he received several awards for his contribution to the Apollo space program until retiring in 1992. He was an avid woodworker and carpenter with impeccable skills where he used his skills on building their home in Cedar Rapids and cottage at Manitowish Waters, Wis., which they have owned for more than 43 years. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Gloria; children, John (Linda) Eidemiller, of Ames, Jill (Dave) Gustafson, of Cambridge, Ill., and Joe (Alice) Eidemiller, of Naples, Maine; brother, Allan (Grace) Eidemiller, of Laurium, Mich.; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Moni Erickson.

A funeral service celebrating Dick's life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with Cedar Memorial Certified Celebrant Jim Parton officiating. Entombment with military rites will be in the Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be held from noon-1 p.m. at the chapel on Friday.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be left at cedarmemorial.com under "obituaries."