Richard Grossman, age 90, of Marshalltown, entered into eternal life, January 14th, 2012, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services for Richard will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2012, at First Congregational Church in Marshalltown. Interment will be in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 19, at Pursel Davis Funeral and Cremation Care. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vogelfuneralhomes.com.
Richard was born in Marshalltown, September 16, 1921. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1939 and from the University of Iowa in 1943. Soon thereafter, he entered military service in the U.S. Army serving in World War II. He saw active service in France and Germany, and with the victory in Japan he saw special occupational duty there before returning home to end his military career.
Soon after arriving home, Richard entered into a partnership to purchase a local Insurance Agency business, Grossman Independent Insurance Agency.
He married Lucy Dumbauld in September of 1947 in Marshalltown at the First Congregational Church.
As an active member of the community, Richard was appointed to serve as a charter member of a new City Planning and Zoning Commission with the task of establishing the first comprehensive planning ordinance for Marshalltown. He served on the Central Business District Board for 20 year the Chamber of Commerce Board and several related committees and on the Board of Directors of the Marshalltown Savings and Loan Association for 25 years.
As an active member of the State Insurance Association, he was selected as Iowa's Outstanding Insurance Agent for 1958. In 1963 Richard was elected President for the Iowa Insurance Agents organization. The following year he was appointed to a 3-year term on the National Insurance Organization Board.
Governor Ray utilized Richards talents appointing him to serve on the special Iowa Court Reform Conference organized to help promote court changes in Iowa in 1973 and to serve on the Iowa Judicial Commission Board. He served 6 years, the final 3 years as its Chairman.
In 1981 the Iowa Supreme Court appointed Richard to serve a 3-year term on the Iowa Bar Association Ethics Committee Board.
In his enjoyment of theater served as a "formal" stage actor on at least three different occasions and earned a "Martha" award for his performance one year.
Richard was a member of an exercise group, Heritage Club, and an ex-board member of the Community Y. Memorials may be directed to the YM/YWCA.
Richard was an active member of the First Congregational Church joining in 1933 and served on all major boards and committees of the church. A strong interest in the ancient Mayan Civilization prompted many exploration trips to Mexico and Guatemala.
Richard will be dearly missed by his wife of 64 years, Lucy, son, Jim (Mary) Grossman of Shawnee KS., granddaughters Anna and Sara, daughter-in-law, Lisa Grossman, and granddaughter, Page of Dallas, TX., and 2 sisters; Jean Brennecke and Mildred Bidlack.
In eternal life he joins his son, Dr. Richard Grossman, Jr., parents, and sister, Margaret Reading.

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