Obituary of Richard H. Northam

Richard H. Northam, 63 of Iowa City died suddenly February 28, 2011, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets around the church). Burial with Military Honors will be at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Richard Henry Northam was born February 7, 1948, in Marshalltown, the son of George and Ida (Dankbar) Northam. Richard attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from Lenihan Catholic School in Marshalltown. On April 20, 1968 he married Emily Rowe of Grundy County, Iowa. The couple began a family with two sons they raised. In November of 1971, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served as a Medic stationed in Germany, during the Vietnam War. Returning to the states, Richard served out his enlistment in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, before being honorably discharged in 1975. He then moved his family to Iowa City where he went on to attend and graduate from the University of Iowa with a degree in Chemistry. After schooling he began a career with the City of Iowa City in the waste water treatment plant, working for over 28 years retiring in 2007. Dick's favorite pastimes included hunting and fishing with his two sons. He was a diligent member and contributor to the state and national levels of the Department of Nature Resourses. Richard donated much energy, passion and annuals to the fish and wildlife foundation, clean air act, an active member of the local DNR and a member of the NRA. Richard was also involved in his local community. Richard's surviving family includes his two sons, Chadwick M. Northam (Lee Ann) and Jason L. Northam (Amanda), two granddaughters, Ainsley and Chelsey Northam, all of Iowa City; and his sister, Marie Franzenburg (Stephen) of Clive, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ida Northam of Marshalltown.