Richard Wendell Baskerville

Dick was born in Monona, IA and was raised on the family farm. He attended Monona High, the University of Dubuque, and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1959.

Dick began his legal career at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, and soon moved to Des Moines where he joined, and later became a partner in, the law firm which is now known as Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville and Schoenebaum. Dick practiced as a Tax and Estate Planning attorney for more than 55 years. The Van Oosterhout-Baskerville Moot Court Competition at the University of Iowa is named in his honor.

Dick met his wife of 62 years, Doris, while at the University of Iowa where Doris received a degree in Nursing. Together they raised four children.

Dick loved to play tennis, competing in senior-division tournaments into his 80s. He loved to travel with his family, and to play cards and board games with his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and U of I fan, and a long-time member of the Kiwanis, Toastmasters, and the West Des Moines Christian Church. After retirement, he went with the Church on several missions to build affordable housing.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents Wendell and Mae, sister Edna Mae, brothers William and Robert, and son-in-law Tim Dolan.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Doris, his four children David (Joyce Chow), Scott (Krista), Terri and Tammy, and his six grandchildren Amanda and Patrick Dolan, Alison Baskerville Fitzpatrick (Nolan), Sarah, James, and Matthew Baskerville. We will all miss his bright blue eyes, big smile, and bear hugs.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 12 at 2 p.m. at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. A reception will follow.

To honor his memory, please consider a memorial contribution to the West Des Moines Christian Church.