Richard Hersom
Richard K. Hersom, 89, of Fort Dodge, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Simpson Health Center.
A service honoring Richard’s life will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, at First Presbyterian Church. Interment is in North Lawn Cemetery with military honors presented by V.F.W. Post No. 1856 and the United States Air Force. Visitation is 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church. Monetary donations will be distributed to charities of Richard's wishes by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Richard is survived by his sons, Rick (Mary), Oskaloosa; Michael (Rachel), Lansing, Ill., and Mark (Juli), Altoona; six grandchildren, Mariah, Laura, Brianna, Abigail, Carissa and Andrew; two great grandchildren, Raymond and Jaylen; and his siblings, Ronald (JoElyn) Hersom, Marshalltown; and Jeannine (Doyle) Martin, Elkhart, Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Janet.
Richard Keith Hersom, the son of Richard H. and Charlotte (Pirie) Hersom, was born December 15, 1934, near Mallard, Iowa. He attended country school through second grade and attended public school at Mallard and Plover, graduating from Mallard High School in 1952. He then graduated from Iowa State University in 1956 with a degree in vocational agriculture. He excelled in vocal music where he was in the mixed glee club and also played trombone in the marching band. On September 30, 1956, Richard was united in marriage to Janet Kay Thorson. From 1956 to 1960, he served in the United States Air Force and then served in the Iowa Air National Guard in Fort Dodge, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Richard was employed at Land O’ Lakes for 33 years, last serving as Regulatory Compliance Manager.
Richard was a 50-plus year active member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of 4-H for eight years and served as a livestock judge for four years. He also competed in the Waterloo Dairy Cattle Congress, the Iowa State Fair and the Clay County Fair. He also served as Golden K Kiwanis Chairperson for the Soup Supper and enjoyed working on wheelchairs with his church men’s group.