Richard F. Bushman

Richard Franklin Bushman "Dick" age 81, completed his earthly journey, Friday, March 11, 2022, peacefully, sitting in his reclining chair at home.   

A private service was held with his family and siblings with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa, in the Bushman family plot.  Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa assisted the family.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring when brother Joe makes it back to Iowa from Arizona.  Joe warned all of us at our family picnic this fall.... “Don't any of you    @#$*&%*   go and die this winter...” Dick did not listen this time; neither did Gary last February (2021), or Howard, January (2017).

Dick was born January 30, 1941, in Dubuque, Iowa.  He was the second son of Joseph E. and Mae F. (Gerleman) Bushman.  Six additional boys and two girls would follow.  

Dick graduated from Loras Academy in 1959 where he was proud to play varsity football all four years.  He was also involved in ROTC. He married Barbara Lombardi at St Catherine's Church, St. Catherine's, IA in 1961.  They had met when Barb needed a ride home from the Melody Mill. 

He and Barb had four children; Sherrie Bushman, Christine (Kevin Stuart) Bushman, Brian Bushman and Gina Bushman who will miss him terribly.  Also left to cherish Dick's memory are 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, his good friend Joe Vandermillen and his black, blind cat, “Kitty”.  

Surviving are the following siblings and in-laws; Joseph "Jackie" (Sandy Breitbach) Bushman, David Bushman, Rosean Schromen (John "Pete" Wilson), Steve (Sue Schulte) Bushman, Gene Bushman and Mary "Treci" Bushman (Jim) York, sisters-in-law Barb (Coates) Bushman and Diane (Schaller) Bushman and 18 nieces and nephews.

Dick worked for forty-two years at Rafoth Roofing and Sheet Metal as Rafoth's roofing supervisor.  After his retirement he assisted other roofing companies in the Dubuque area if they had problems to solve.  He was very proud of his work and would recount with ease the history of some of the biggest jobs he was most proud of, be it John Deere in Dubuque or Moline or Dubuque Senior High School.  Dick was obviously loyal and could be generous to a fault, especially with his children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and siblings.  His seven brothers were his best friends. He tolerated his two YOUNGER sisters fairly well.  Dick was a content, kind soul with lots of grit and common sense.  He rarely spoke ill of anyone. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three of his brothers; James, Gary and Howard (none of whom saw the inside of a nursing home, we have been lucky so far), a niece, Elizabeth Schromen, and Barbara Lombardi Bushman.

Online condolences may be left at www.leonardfuneralhome.com; memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name and mailed to Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road Dubuque, IA 52003.

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