Lowell Richardson Obituary

Lowell Richardson

1928-2018

His name was Lowell Richardson, but to us, he was Dad and Grandpa. Lowell Estle Richardson was born August 3, 1928, to James and Leta Richardson in Gravity, Iowa. He graduated from Bedford High School in Bedford, Iowa, in 1946. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1951 with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. On April 29, 1950, he was united in marriage to Doris (Davault) Richardson in Creston, Iowa.
He was employed at the DOT for 43 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Iowa Interstate System. He was awarded the IPWA Man of the Year Award in 1975. He retired as Director of the Office of Local Systems in 1993, and he was given the Special Services Award by the Iowa County Engineers Association. He was inducted as a “Hero” in the Iowa Transportation Hero’s Center in 2014.
Lowell shared his love of antiques, gardening and traveling, with his wife, especially his variations of tomato plants. He loved playing and watching golf. He and his wife were charter members of The Ballard Golf and Country Club. He loved socializing with many friends from his coffee groups and was a member of the Kiwanis organization.
He was a man of many accomplishments, but it was family that was very important to Lowell – especially the weekly Sunday family gatherings at his and Doris’s home. He was an avid Cyclone fan. It was fitting that he passed peacefully surrounded by his family just minutes after a Cyclone football victory.
To the rest of the world, he was Lowell. To us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Lowell is survived by his sons, Dan (Janet) Richardson of McCallsburg, Darrell Richardson of Ames, Tim (Deanna) Richardson of Bettendorf; grandchildren, Jody (Tim) Kelley, Andy (Amy) Richardson, Kirstin Richardson, Brad Richardson, Leita Richardson, Alicia Dollieslager, and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death his dearly loved wife, Doris, on September 16, 2018. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Friday November 2, at Adams Funeral Home in Ames. Funeral service will be at 10:30 am Saturday, November 3, at Adams Funeral Home in Ames. Burial Service will follow at Story Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Ames. Memorials may be addressed to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at adamssoderstrum.com.