Rest in Peace - Richard Lee Medd - Jim Medd's Father

 Richard Lee Medd

Richard Lee Medd, 92, of Moline, Illinois, died June 15, 2018 following complications of a massive stroke.  His beloved wife of 73 years, Alberta (Bert) Medd, was still able to hold his hand and his heart until his last day.  As Richard (Dick) passed from one stage of life into another at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, memories from his many years were being shared across generations and geographical lines.  His stories will continue to be told with joy and admiration by his four children, Gary Medd (Jean) of Davenport, James Medd (Sandy) of Nashville, Judy Schuler (Jere) of Cincinnati, Rich Medd (Stacey) of Coralville; ten grandchildren, David Medd, Cynthia Sanger, Christy Medd, Kori Medd, Grant Kilgard, Wayne Kilgard, Celia Schnupp, Gabriel Medd, Kellie Coy, and Jason Schuler; twenty-four great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Nancy) Medd of Iowa City; and all those who were lucky enough to be his family member, colleague, or friend.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Mildred Medd, and his brothers, William, Ralph, and Ronald Medd.

                Dick will be honored with pride each time we: rake if there are leaves, play if there is a piano, listen if there is music, pay if there is a bill, pick up if there is a phone call, invent if there is an idea, indulge if there is a Blizzard, and leave if it is time to go home.

                Richard Medd was a pioneer in the Dairy Queen franchise, helping to develop, protect and promote the DQ brand nationally, and spread soft serve ice cream and jobs across the Midwest and the eastern part of the United States.  Although his accomplishments as a businessman (Dairy Queen, Medd-O-Lane Dairy), World War II Army Air Corps Veteran (B-29 navigator), musician (pianist and trombonist), and thirty-second degree Mason were numerous, Dick was best at being a husband, dad, and grandpa.  We will celebrate all he was and all he continues to be at a visitation from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 am on Friday, June 22, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport with burial at National Cemetery, Rock Island to follow.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, or to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. 

From Schoolhouse to Apartment House - Garfield School

Groundbreaking for Garfield Arms Apartment Building

Garfield Elementary School was constructed in 1901, with an addition built in 1955. In 2015, the Moline-Coal Valley School District closed the school, sending students to Hamilton and Lincoln-Irving elementary schools.

That same year, Gorman & Company, of Oregon, Wisconsin, bought the school for $75,000. When completed, the renovated building will offer 52 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments for low- and moderate-income seniors earning between 30-60 percent of area median income.

 "I liked the old Gashouse Gang Garfield better."
Jim Kron turned away, so they could not see the tears.

We loved Mrs. Park.
I can remember most of the faces and half of the names. Let's see.
Front row from left: Linda Hicks, Greg Jackson, Kathleen Wilcox, unknown boy, unknown girl, John Schneck, Ann Pascall.
Middle row: George Small, unknown girl, unknown boy, unknown boy, Billie Seasland, unknown girl, Jim McCandless, Jenal Vencus.
Back row: Terry Thompson, Tamara Gustus, Bonnie ?, Steve Warren, then Jeff Hall on the far right, Cathy Pobanz next to him. The rest are unknown at the moment.

The school's corridors will be brought back to their original condition with restored ceilings. Classrooms will be renovated into apartments, and the gym space will be converted to house common space and amenities, including a multipurpose room, a kitchen and a fitness center.

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A three-story wood-framed addition also will be added to the east side of the existing building.

The redevelopment will be constructed to Enterprise Green Communities and Energy Star standards, using energy efficient appliances and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems designed to reduce overall operating expenses.

New roofs will be completed at both wings, and new energy efficient storm windows will be provided at the inside of the existing windows.

Financing partners for the project include the Illinois Housing Development Authority, JPMorgan Chase, RBC Capital Markets and Greater Metropolitan Area housing Authority of Rock Island County.

Guy Johnson stopped by to take some pictures of the old classic. We still remember the new addition, which is now about 65 years old.

 Like other teachers, Miss Dickson spent her own money on the class.

Liz Copeland's mom was a favorite teacher among many great ones.

 Mrs. Forsyth was another teacher everyone remembered with great affection.

 No-o-o-o-o-o!

This classroom project is where an engineer's career was born.