A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Runge Mortuary in Davenport. Funeral services will take place on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Richard will be laid to rest with military honors at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities or Iowa City VA Medical Center.
Born on March 24, 1947, in Clinton, Iowa, Richard was the son of Eugene and Rosella (Simpson) Madsen. He grew up on a rural Iowa farm and later attended college before joining the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for six years, including time in Vietnam. While stationed in Alexandria, Louisiana, Richard met Ember, the love of his life. The couple was married on April 8, 1973. They made their home in Clinton before moving to Davenport, where they raised their two children, Leah and Russell.
Richard worked as a manufacturing engineer for Red Jacket/Marley Pump in Davenport and later transferred to Altoona, Pennsylvania when the company was acquired by Veeder-Root/Danaher. After retiring, Richard and Ember returned to the Quad Cities in 2015 to be closer to family and friends.
Richard took great joy in watching his grandchildren participate in their sporting events and wholeheartedly supported all their endeavors.
Richard was a devoted member of American Legion Post #26 in Davenport, where he served as an officer and participated in the Honor Guard. He was also active in his community, volunteering at Christ Family Church in Davenport, where he served on the consistory and was a member of the church’s daycare board. When he wasn’t helping others, Richard enjoyed fishing and staying busy with hands-on work, whether it was a small home project or something bigger. It was well known Richard could make or fix just about anything.
Richard is survived by his daughter, Leah Madsen, and her children: Christian, Lauryn, McCarty, and Makenna; and his son, Russell Madsen, his wife Mandy, and their sons: Brandon, Reid, and Chase. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ember, in 2020, as well as his parents and sister, RoseAnne (Madsen) Smith.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at the Iowa City VA Medical Center for the care they provided Richard and all veterans over the past several years.
