Muscatine Journal - June 20, 2012

Services: 3 p.m., Friday, June 22, 2012, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Visitation: 1-3 p.m., Friday, June 22, at the funeral home. Burial: Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the V.F.W. Post 1565. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Bryan Mills Rich, 92, of Muscatine, died on Monday, June 18, 2012, at Trinity Hospital – Muscatine.

Reverend Don Sondrol will officiate.

Memorials may be made to the family in care of Almeda Rich.

Bryan was the fourth child of Maurice E. and Virginia R. nee Sublett, Rich. He was born on June 25, 1919, in Fine Creek Mills, Va. He attended city schools in Sterling and Morrison, Ill., and Clinton, Iowa. He was graduate of Clinton High School, class of 1937.

He first married Josephine Nicolaisen in Clinton.

Bryan and Almeda Fern, nee Schmoldt, Logel were united in marriage at the Wesley Methodist Church of Moline, in Moline, Illinois. They made their home first in Muscatine and later in several states including, Billings, Mont., Fresno, Calif., Atlanta, Ga., and Greenville, Texas, and retired back to Muscatine.

He was Production Manager and Vice President of Rich Industries, a family owned business, manufacturer of Rich Toys and Water Skies. The company first started in Sterling, Ill., then moving to Morrison, Ill., then moving to Clinton, Iowa, and lastly to Tupelo, Miss. In 1962, the business suffered a severe flash flood resulting in the demise of the company. Bryan was then employed as a Plant Engineer at Rimco in Rock Island, Ill., and then for Huttig Manufacturing Company in Muscatine. He retired in 1984 from Crown Door Company of Tampa, Florida, where he had worked for Crown Door Company of Greenville, Texas. After his retirement he worked part-time for several years at V.H. Willis Company of Muscatine.

He served his country proudly in the United States Army during World War II, with the 83rd Division, 330th Infantry. He served as an Automatic Rifleman under combat conditions in the European Theatre. He received several decorations and citations including the Bronze Star Medal.

He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post 1565.

His favorite hobby was woodworking. He meticulously designed and handcrafted fine furniture, grandfather clocks, cabinets, and cove mouldings. Cherry and mahogany woods were his favorite. He was truly a perfectionist. He loved history and traveling to many countries with Ireland being his favorite.

Survivors include his wife, Almeda Rich of Muscatine; two daughters, Suzanne Folks and husband, James, of North Potomac, Md., and Joellen Love and husband, Robert, of Rock Island, Ill.; one step-son, Jay D. Logel and wife, Lea Ann, of Muscatine; four grandsons, Bryan C. Rich and wife, Jodi, of Tempe, Ariz., Robert ‘Bo’ Sager and wife, Linda, of Highland Ranch, Colo., James Sager and wife, Dawn, of Moline, Ill., and Michael Folks of Washington, DC; one granddaughter, Laura Borell and husband, Jeremy of Alexandria, Va.; one step-grandson, Jay D. Logel II of Dear Born, Mich.; two step-granddaughters, Leslie Logel of Des Moines, and Sarah Logel of Muscatine; seven great-grandchildren, Colin Rich, Keller Rich, Katelyn Sager, Bryan Sager, Elijah Sager, Zander Sager, and Benjamin Borell; three step-great-grandchildren, Lauren Proffitt, Bricen Lane and Nicole Lane; one brother, Thomas R. Rich and sister-in-law, Barbara, of Camanche; and one sister, Caroline Clizbe and brother-in-law, David E., of Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Bryan Rich Jr. in 1991; two brothers, Maurice E. Rich and sister-in-law, Verna, and Hampton Rich; and one sister, Virginia Baker and brother-in-law, Irvin.