Richard Harry Rempe was born January 22, 1958 at Fort Madison, Iowa, a son of John J. and Ruth Ann (Kavanaugh) Rempe. He married Valerie A. Guzman. They have two children, Zachary and Chloe. They later divorced. On June 13, 1998 he marred Colleen Frances Ruth at the Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison, Iowa. They have one son, Justin. He was a life-long resident of the area. He attended Aquinas High School, graduating in 1976. He attended Southeastern Community College. He worked at I.E. Dupont for 32 years. He was a member of Holy Family Parish. He was a backyard mechanic and enjoyed working on cars. He also enjoyed woodworking and was an original member of the Polar Bear Club. He loved spending time with his family.

At 52 years of age, he died at 7:20 pm Friday, June 25, 2010 at his home in Fort Madison, Iowa. He is survived by his wife, Colleen Frances Rempe, of Fort Madison, Iowa; two sons, Zachary Richard (wife Erin) Rempe, of Des Moines, Iowa and Justin Patrick Rempe, at home; one daughter, Chloe Christine Rempe, of Fort Madison, Iowa; three brothers: John (wife Diane) Rempe, of Fort Madison, Iowa; Jim (wife Becky) Rempe, of Topeka, Kansas; and Mike (wife Peggy) Rempe, of West Burlington, Iowa; five sisters: Judy (husband Bob) Pezley, of Rock Island, Illinois; Kathy Harper, of Sacramento, California; and Mary Jo Skaar, of Mendota Heights, Minnesota; Patty (husband Tom) Pollpeter, of Fort Madison, Iowa; and Kelly Donavan, of Iowa City, Iowa; his mother-in-law: Emilie Young, of Oxford, Iowa; brothers-in- law and sisters-in-law: Pat (wife Donna) Ruth, of Iowa City, Iowa; Bill (wife Karen) Ruth, of Williamsburg, Iowa; Joe (wife Tammie) Ruth, of Chariton, Iowa; Mary (husband Rick) Wells, of Coralville, Iowa; Gerri (husband Joe) Turecek, of Iowa City, Iowa; Judy Ruth (and Rob Dailing), of Oxford, Iowa; and Darlene Barney, of Illinois; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Katherine Rempe, who helped raise him, his parents, two brothers-in-law, Dr. Frank Harper and Richard Ruth, and his father-in-law, Ralph Jr. Young.

Friends may call after 2:00 pm Monday, June 28, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Monday evening. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 5:30 pm during the visitation at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at Sacred Heart Church, of Holy Family Parish, with Reverend Troy Richmond as Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Vincent's Cemetery, Riverside, Iowa. A memorial has been established, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.