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Richard Recker

richard recker

January 30, 1931 ~ October 5, 2023

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Richard "Dick" Stephen Recker of New Hampton, IA, died at age 92 on October 5 , 2023 at Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Father Jim Goerend celebrating the Mass. Friends may greet the family at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in New Hampton. Friends are invited to join the family at Poor Richards Pizza Kitchen following the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Oldorf Hospice House in Cedar Rapids. Dick was born on January 30,1931 in New Hampton. Dick was the son of Frank and Celeste (Underkofler) Recker. Dick graduated from New Hampton High School in 1949 and enrolled at Notre Dame University (go Irish!). He left Notre Dame to join the Air Force, serving during the Korean War. In his time in the service he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. After the service, he returned to Notre Dame and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. After graduation Dick went to work for IDS financial services as a broker in Chicago. Soon after he began following the horse racing circuit as a jockey’s agent and horse racing secretary. During this time he began dating Margaret (Peg) Huffman. Dick and Peg were married on September 22, 1979 and were blessed with their daughter Monica in 1983. They made their home in New Hampton and purchased Poor Richards Pizza Kitchen, which Dick owned and operated until he retired in 2007. Dick enjoyed golfing and was a member at the New Hampton Country Club. He also was an avid supporter of Notre Dame football and enjoyed watching games and cussing at the TV. One of Dick’s many passions was food, and not just pizza. As many know, he always had a fridge and countertop full of snacks. This reigned true throughout his final days. Dick will be remembered for his social nature and was always outgoing and vibrant with all – family, friends, and customers. Whether he was delivering pizzas in the Jeep or cruising in his Cadillac, all those who knew him will miss his sing-song voice as he went by. He was survived by his daughter Monica (Nick) Edwards of Solon, his brother Fr. Phil Recker of Dubuque, his brother-in-law Dan (Sue) Huffman of New Hampton, his sisters-in law Pat (Dennis) Ruffridge of Cresco and Donna (Mike) Huffman of Cedar Falls, long time family friends Susan Gates of North Liberty, John (Mary) Gates of Cedar Rapids, Lisa (Rob) Wilson of Marion, and Kim (Lynn) Hopp of New Hampton, along with several nieces and nephews and grand-friends. Dick was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife, his mother and father-in law Raymond and Rosemary Huffman, brothers-in-law Mark Huffman, Mike Huffman, John Huffman, and Dan Schwickerath, and long time family friends Dale and Mona Gates, Elaine (Peony) Gates and Karen Erion.

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  7. Condolences.. he was a very nice and friendly man. My daughter had her first job working for him at Poor Richards. Always treated those young kids wonderfully ❤️

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  8. So sorry to read this….such a neat, neat man. He and Peg started Poor Dicks Pizza…still carries on! Let’s all order a pizza in his honor throughout the next week.
    Rest in peace Dick..so many great memories throughout the years.

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  12. Prayers to his family and all those who loved him (aka the entire community). If I bottled up my childhood memories, Dick would definitely be a part of that list. 🙏🏻

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  16. This saddens my heart…so many fond memories of him on the golf course, at his restaurant and in the neighborhood. I cannot think of him without a smile on my face and a few laughs. My sympathy to Monica. Fly high and Rest In Peace, Dick. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

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  22. Always enjoyed him walking right into our home to deliver pizza and giving us suckers as kids. My deepest sympathy to “poor dicks” family. 🙏

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  37. Sorry for your loss. My parents where friends of Dick. There were times when he come to parties and play music. His wife went to school with me. Dick was a friendly person.

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  39. To all Dick’s family.
    It was an honor to know this gentleman. Always had a smile and time to talk. He will be greatly missed
    Mary Jane Leach

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  41. Sending our deepest sympathies and prayers to all❤️ Such a great icon and man of New Hampton 🥲🙏

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  44. Our sympathies to Monica and the rest of the family 🙏 Dick was one of a kind. Give Peg a hug from me,

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  69. Monica, sympathy to you and your family. Your dad always called me Joy to the World when he delivered a pizza. Nice guy. Prayers.

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  70. While I was celebrating my birthday yesterday Dick was saying his final goodbyes. What a great neighbor and left a smile on the faces of all those he met. Rest Easy Dick…Thoughts and Prayers to Monica and her family.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️

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  71. My sympathy to Monica and the entire Recker family. He was a great man. Dick and Peg are now together again. Hugs and prayers!

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  74. So sorry to hear this. Dick was certainly a “people person” and always had a smile to share. Monica, you have our sympathy and prayers.

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  79. I used to see him in Fareway and I’d yell out, Hey pizza man!!! Loved this guy!!!!! Awesome man, he will truly be missed

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  80. The loss of a legend, he was truly one of a kind!! Thoughts and prayers to Monica, other family and friends! ❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼

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  83. What a guy! Always a smile on his face and a tune in his heart! He always took time to say hi and joke around. RIP Dick. 😢

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  84. Dick was one of a kind! He was the sweetest kindest man with that unforgettable smile!🥰 He is finally with the love of his life! Sympathy and hugs to Monica and all his family.💕

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  87. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to the family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 God has gained another special ANGEL in heaven.

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  89. Dick was a great guy!!! Always enjoyed visiting with him and his smile.
    Sympathies to Monica and families.

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  92. May he Rest in Peace! Dick was a great guy and always enjoyed a quick visit with him. Will pray for his family and friends.

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  94. I remember all the conversations we had from time to time since I came back to New Hampton. Prayers for his family.

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  95. Our condolences to the entire family! Dick was an amazing man, always a smile and a story to tell!! 🙏🏼💔

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  103. Our deepest sympathy to your entire family! He sure was a sweetheart, always kind n had a smile ❤️🙏

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  107. My deepest sympathy to Monica, Nick, and all Dick’s family and friends. He will always be remembered with his smile and friendly personality. I know it will be a big void for you Monica, but Peg and Dick are now together again. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

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  109. Sincere condolences to Dick’s Family. One of the nicest guy’s we’ve ever known. R.I.P. Poor Dick.

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  112. Sending our condolences to Monica, friends and family! Dick always had a way to make a day brighter with his smile and laughter! A great man who will truly be missed. Gary, Terry & Courtney Ball

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  115. Monica and family, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.Dick was always a joy to visit with. Always had a twinkle in his eye and a great sense of humor!

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  117. Thoughts and prayers to Dicks family and friends!! He treated everyone as if they were family to him.
    Carrie Zweibohmer (Jacoby)

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  128. Dave and I are so sorry to hear that Dick is gone. What a wonderful man. His smile and visits are truly missed. We will remember him with joy in our hearts. Our sympathy to all the family.

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  131. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time.
    Memories: On the morning of our wedding (5/14/1994), my soon to be husband stopped and had breakfast at the old truck stop. Dick had finished his meal and left. When Jim went to pay, Dick had already picked up his tab … not knowing what a special day that was. Jim was so touched by the gesture and we never forgot it. When we would order pizza to be delivered, we just had to say that it was for Tucker (our furbaby) … Dick would chuckle 😄 He always got a kick out of it.
    When we think of Dick, we always smile. He was truly a genuine person with a heart of gold.

    Our sincere condolences,
    Jim, Margo, Spencer and Irelynn Bodensteiner

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  132. I have fond memories of Dick coming into Fareway in the evenings to get a random pizza ingredient in the 90s. He was always such a fun, spirited person who was whistling a tune! May he rest in peace.

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  133. Sorry to hear about him passing knew him for a long time. Used to take care of his car when at the station.will say a prayer for him and his family

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