Richard Paplinski

Richard J. “Dick” Paplinski, 84, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the Rock Island National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.  Those wishing to attend the service should meet at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf by 10:30 A.M.  

Dick was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania on September 24, 1938, the son of Chester and Alta (Elliott) Paplinski. In 1948 the family moved to Norwalk, Ohio. Dick graduated from Norwalk High School in 1956. In 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany until being honorably discharged in 1959. He then graduated from Kent State University in 1963.

Dick was united in marriage to Linda G. Usselton at the United Methodist Church in Norwalk, Ohio on July 18, 1964.

He retired in 1996 as President and General Manager of the Industrial Division of Carlisle Plastics, Inc. in Fairmont, Minnesota. Following his retirement, he worked as a realtor for Cavers Realty in Fairmont for several years. In earlier years, Dick was employed by the Consumer Communication Service Corporation in Kansas City and was a District Sales Representative for the Marathon Oil Company in Ohio. He was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club for over 40 years, most recently with the Bettendorf Rotary Club.

In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling both in the United States and abroad, loved to play golf, enjoyed music and dancing and was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Dick was an admitted “foodie” who loved preparing food for others and enjoying fine food himself. He will always be remembered as a great husband, dad, Papa and friend who took great pleasure in sharing countless and unique stories of his life.

Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife, Linda; his daughters, Leslie A. (Tim) Hesterman of Oak Park, Illinois, and Vicki L. (Jeff) Bert of Bettendorf; his grandchildren, Nathan (Addison) Hesterman, Caroline (Tristan) Jackson, Kate Hesterman, Alex Bert, Eric (Carley Berneking) Bert, Olivia Bert and Amanda Bert; two great-grandchildren, Teddy Hesterman and Nicholas Berneking; sister in law, Cheryl Paplinski and niece, Ilse Paplinski (David Silvernell).

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William E. Paplinski; and nephew, Aaron Paplinski.

 Memorials may be made to Rotary International, the American Cancer Society or the Clarissa Cook Hospice House. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.