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Richard James Kalb “Dick”, of 165 South Grandview Ave, Dubuque passed away at home on April 2, 2015. He was 89 years of age. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on April 10th, 2015, at the Church of the Nativity with Msgr. James Miller celebrating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #6 of Dubuque. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road. The parish scripture wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., led by Deacon David McGhee.
Richard is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Bernadine Elizabeth (List) Kalb and his seven children: Richard James II of New York, NY, Susan Mary (Ralph) Ellwanger of Dubuque, Mary Jean (Paul) Powers of Denver, CO, and Michael Joesph (Judy Zahren), Julie Ann (Michael) White, James Gerard, and Gregory John (Suzy Conlon) of Dubuque. He had ten grandchildren: R.J. (Amanda) and John Peter Ellwanger; Adam (Jen), Natalie, Alexandra and John Elliott White; and Elyse, Elizabeth, Anna and Ava Kalb, and three great grandchildren, Faye and Livia White and Abigail Ellwanger. He is also survived by his two brothers, a sister and sister-in-laws: John T. Kalb of Dubuque, Thomas J. (Delores) Kalb, MD of Young America, MN, and Sr. Marie Therese Kalb, OSF of Dubuque, and Mildred Kalb of Dubuque.
Richard was born on February 2, 1926 in Dubuque. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School, Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, WI and Loras College in Dubuque. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA. He married Bernadine on September 10, 1949. He was in the automobile industry for several years as Vice President and President of Universal Motors, Inc. (Ford Dealership) and owned Kalb Motors (Renault and Peugeot Dealership) in Dubuque for many years before retiring. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 510 and the American Legion, Post 6 in Dubuque.
Known for always wearing a classic hat and being a gentleman, Richard was a loving and positive man of faith. He liked to entertain his friends and over the years enjoyed many cups of coffee with them discussing the latest news. He loved big band music and ballroom dancing. He took great enjoyment in his boat and spending time on the Mississippi. He also enjoyed the excitement of traveling to visit his children in New York and Denver. In his spare time he took pleasure in designing and building projects, from a birdhouse to his family home on River Vista to a record cabinet for his LP collection. He was dedicated to serving the church for years at the Church of the Nativity, as an adviser in the early years and as an usher more recently. He relished time with friends and he loved having all of the family together for special occasions, especially with the grandchildren. His children remember him as a patient, kind and loving father who provided all he could for his family while encouraging them to pursue their goals.
He was predeceased by his parents, Bert P. and Mary E. (Kolfenbach) Kalb of Dubuque and his four brothers: Rev. Bertrum P. Kalb, Rev. Robert L. Kalb, and Anthony J. Kalb, DDS of Dubuque and Rev. Howard E. Kalb, S.J. of Omaha, NB. He was also predeceased by a brother-in-law and sister-in-laws: Robert and Eileen Rosenow and Elizabeth A. Kalb of Dubuque.
In lieu of flowers the family requests the memorial may be given to the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque.