Richard 'Rich' Wych

Richard 'Rich' D. Wych, was born September 11, 1946, in Cherokee, IA. His childhood years were spent on a farm near Quimby, IA. He graduated from Willow High School in 1964. Rich then attended the University of South Dakota for three years where he was majoring in computer science. Rich was drafted into the US Army in November of 1968 and was assigned to Fort Ord, CA for basic and infantry training. He volunteered for airborne training and completed his training and jumped 5 times from about 3,000 feet. In November of 1969 he was sent to Vietnam and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division based out of Cu Chi which was in the Parrott's Beak. The majority of his time in the jungle he walked point. He was wounded in June of 1970 by a Chinese claymore mine. He was hospitalized for two weeks in Japan before being transferred to Great Lakes Naval Hospital in North Chicago. He retired from the Army in October of 1970. He was awarded the following medals: Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Airborne Wings, National Defense Medal, and Expert Marksman M16 and M60. After his service to our country, Rich went back to USD where he completed his BA in computer science. On October 28, 1972, he was united in marriage to Carol Wright at Quimby, IA. Following their marriage they lived in Cherokee, IA, Washta, IA, and Jefferson, SD, before moving to Holstein, IA where they lived for 18 years. Rich worked for VT Industries in Holstein for 28 years. He had also previously worked at Simonsen's Industries in Quimby for nine years and Western Contracting in Sioux City, IA. In 2002, they moved to Quimby, IA on the Quimby golf course, where he enjoyed volunteering and playing golf. Rich was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing golf, working, bowling, and baseball. He was an avid Hawkeyes fan and was very proud of his manicured yard. Most of all Rich loved spending time with his family and friends. Rich is survived by his wife Carol of 44 years and 5 children. Kimberly Bumgardner, Timothy (Kim) Wych, Daniel Wych, Anthony (Jenny) Wych and Alison (Brant) Kurtz; his 20 grandchildren, Alex, Aaron, Ashley, Karissa, Charlie, Kammy, Gavin, Parker, Taylor, Maddie, Katie, Savannah, Austin, Brody, Camden, Chandler, Chaypin, Cayden, Colton and Daxton; Aunt Shirley Perrett, Siblings Ruby and Donnie (Carol) Wych; brothers-in-law, Gary (Dorothy) Wright, Phillip (Carolyn) Wright, Douglas Wright and Michael (Ann) Wright; sisters-in-law, Debbie (the late Mark) Courtright; Cathy (Larry) Nicolaisen and Terri Chester; many nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving relatives and friends. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Ferne (Warburton) Wych; father and mother-in-law, Dale 'Dusty' & Ann Wright; sister-in-law, Nancy Wright; and three nephews, Justin and Cory Nicolaisen, and Nicholas Volkert.

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