Richard Bertram Sr.

Richard “Dick” A. Bertram Sr., 92, of Bettendorf passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at his residence.

Private family services were held at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf.  Burial was at Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery.  A special thank you to all those who cared for Richard the last several months of his life, especially his brother-in-law and his wife, Jim and Kris Ries.  Memorials may be directed to Unity Point Hospice.

Richard was born on November 16, 1927 in Scott Co., Iowa, the son of Harold and Mary (Harte) Bertram.  As an adolescent, he enjoyed exploring Scott County on horseback and had many stories about those adventures.

He graduated from Davenport High in 1946 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving honorably as a Fireman 1.  While assigned to the USS Lofberg DD-759, his destroyer patrolled off the Pacific Coast and Alaska.  He was a member of the “Tin Can Sailors” and regularly attended reunions of USS Lofberg sailors.  After leaving the Navy, Richard joined the American Legion – Post 154.

On May 13, 1949, Richard married Jean Ries.  They were married for over 70 years until Jean’s passing only a few days ago.  They shared many memories traveling across the U.S. in Richard’s succession of Chevys.  Gifted with meticulous attention to mechanical detail, Richard also was an early member of the Civil Air Patrol, a firearms marksman, and competitive pistol shooter.  After 40 years, Richard retired from the Rock Island Arsenal in 1990.  His time was spent remodeling and maintaining the Lake Lucerne Wisconsin property. On October 31, 2019, he was privileged to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with his close friend and fellow veteran, Jack Clark. In the fall of 2019, Jean & Richard sat daily by their daughter, Karen’s bedside at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Richard enjoyed hunting, target shooting, and fishing with his children and grandchildren. The grandchildren loved hearing many stories of their grandfather’s experiences over the years. Among his travels, he toured Buenos Aires, Argentina along with many trips to his favorite places in the western U.S., “where the buffalo roam”.  Richard and Jean shared a love of family.  They always looked forward to their trips to Disneyworld, and especially looked forward to all the vacations and gatherings with family.  Throughout the years they had many close friendships.

Those left to honor his memory are his daughter, Nancy (Wayne Klocke) Bertram of Southlake, Texas; sons, Richard (Kathy) Bertram Jr. of Crook, Colorado, Charles (Sharon) Bertram of Bettendorf; son-in-law, Jerry Jensen of Bettendorf; 9 grandchildren, Michael (Nicole) Klocke, Stephanie (Joe) Linehan, Maggie (Travis) Kloss, Eric Klocke, Brian (Alli) Bertram, Andrew (Brandy Jurevitz) Bertram, Jen Bertram, Matt Jensen, Chris (Emily) Jensen; 6 great-grandchildren; and brother, H.E. “Bill” Bertram of DeWitt, Iowa.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Jensen; and grandson, Thomas Klocke.