West Des Moines
Richard (Dick) L. Sharpnack, 87, passed away October 19th in West Des Moines. Dick was born February 24, 1923 to Margaret and Harry Sharpnack in Des Moines. Dick graduated from Valley High School (1941) and was active in football and track. He graduated from Drake University (1948) with a BS in Business Administration following service in the army during WWII. Dick also attended the University of Alabama while stationed in Tuscaloosa, AL during his military service. Dick was well known in the accounting field. He was the Regional Partner-in-Charge of the Wolf & Company offices for 20 years and then partner in charge of the Des Moines Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells office (now known as Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited) from 1978 to 1986 after DHS acquired the local office of Wolf & Company. He was a nationally recognized expert in the bank audit practice area and served on the American Institute of CPA’s drafting subcommittee to develop the bankers audit guide. He served as a specialist in the financial institutions sector at DHS and was known nationally for his consulting work in the bank accounting practice area. After his retirement from DHS in 1985, he founded his own practice and continued to provide accounting services for a number of years. Dick was active in the Des Moines and West Des Moines communities. He served on the West Des Moines City Council for 6 years and was Mayor of West Des Moines from 1967 to 1969. He was active with Drake University fundraising, managing the Aliber Foundation grants to the University. Dick was honored as special alumnae at the 1983 Founders Day celebration. He was charitable with his time, serving as treasurer of the Des Moines area YMCA and Board member of the Des Moines Metropolitan Transit District. He also served on the Des Moines Development Commission. He enjoyed attending Rotary meetings and was honored as a 50-year Rotary Club member in 2008. Dick was also on the Board of Methodist Hospital. His hobbies included golfing, skiing, and hiking especially in the mountains of Colorado. Dick and his wife have been members of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club for over 40 years. He was a long-time member of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Dick is survived by his wife, Twyla, to whom he was married 68 years. He is also survived by daughter, Dr. Deborah Walstrom (Tom) of Rochester, MN; son, Richard of Denver, CO; sister, Eleanor Trickett of Santa Monica, CA; and grandchildren, Richard (Britta) of New Hope, MN and Sarah Walstrom of Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at McLaren’s Resthaven Funeral Chapel – 801 - 19th Street, West Des Moines - on Monday, October 25th at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at McLaren’s Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the charity of your choice.
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