Richard Mcgrath
January 23, 1928 — January 15, 2018
Richard Chambers McGrath, 89, of Bettendorf and formerly of Ottumwa, Iowa, died Monday, January 15, 2018 at Trinity Bettendorf.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday January 19, 2018 at Rock Island National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the services should meet at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf by 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Memorials may be made to the Wapello County Volunteer Fire Department.
Richard was born January 23, 1928 in Ladora, Iowa. He was born to Forrest & Esther (Tanner) Pike and was adopted by Matthew and Jeanette (Chambers) McGrath.
He was a 1946 graduate of Ottumwa High School and served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952, serving in Japan during the Korean Conflict.
He was a dairy farmer in Ottumwa for several years and had formerly worked with the Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Truck Lines and Griggs Transportation. Richard had worked with the AARP and volunteered for the Veterans Administration transporting veterans to Des Moines, Iowa City and Knoxville.
Richard received an award for outstanding service as a member of the Wapello County Volunteer Fire Department and received a voluntary service certificate by the Department of Veterans Affairs. He had also been a member of the American Legion in Ottumwa.
Those left to honor his memory include 19 nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Berniece and Betty; and his brothers, Forrest, Edward and Carl.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Richard’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.