Richard Neil Van Hoozer passed away unexpectedly Dec. 22, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Richard was born Nov. 24, 1933, near Martinsville, Missouri, to Homer and Henrietta (Scott) Van Hoozer. Preceding Richard in death were his parents, a brother Nelson, and a brother-in-law Billie Butler. His surviving sisters are Beverly Butler, Bethany, Missouri, and Joan (John) Robertson, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Richard married Helen Lucille Staten on May 20, 1956. They have three children; Diane (Anthony Spitzer), and Bob (Patti Stutzman) who reside in Kalona, Iowa, and Randy (Terri Trumpp) who reside in Reno, Nevada. They have 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Richard received a diploma from Martinsville High School in 1951. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1960 from Northwest Missouri State College and a Masters Degree in Elementary School Administration in 1964 from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College.
Richard was employed as a teacher in a one room rural school for two years in Eureka, Missouri, near Martinsville; a seventh and eighth grade teacher in Martinsville, Missouri, for four years; a sixth-grade teacher in Marshalltown, Iowa, for eight years; an elementary school principal for one year in the Dexter-Redfield School District, Iowa; and an elementary school principal in the Mid-Prairie School District in Wellman and Kalona, Iowa, for twenty-seven years.
Richard enjoyed quail hunting in Missouri, fishing all over but especially in Canada, and eating.
Honoring his wishes, Richard donated his body to The University of Iowa Deeded Body program and no public services will be held.
Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.lensingfuneral.com.
