Richard Semler

Richard Wayne Semler passed away on March 22, 2022. He was born November 18, 1930 in Muscatine, Iowa to Howard and Wilma Semler. He was married to Jean Mary Bowers on August 17, 1951. Richard was an active member of the United Methodist Church in McAllen, TX, Independence, IA and Cedar Falls, IA. He was in the Army Reserves, a member of the Rotary Club in Independence, IA and became a Paul Harris Fellow. Richard went to college for one year in Northwestern College in Minneapolis, MN which was Billy Graham’s college. Then he went to Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA. After graduation he taught English and Social Studies in Dunkerton, Tripoli and Waterloo, Iowa for about 10 years. Most of that time they lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He then worked as a consultant in the Area Education Agency 7 for 20 years before he retired in 1994. They lived in Independence, Iowa for those 20 years. He received a Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa during that time. Shortly after retirement Richard and Jean moved to McAllen, Texas where they lived for 22 years. In 2018 they moved back to Iowa to Woodlands Creek Independent Living and then Silvercrest Assisted Living. He is currently living at Glen Oak’s Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. Richard and Jean enjoyed square dancing for many years. They also enjoyed traveling and camping. They were in every state except Rhode Island over the years. They also went on some trips to Europe, Canada and Mexico. They went on several cruises to the Caribbean islands. Richard especially loved it out West in Colorado and Wyoming. They spent several weeks a year in their later years in Colorado each fall. Richard is survived by his children Duane (Diane) Semler and Bonnie Bowers: grandchildren Ross Ritter (Sara), Amanda Semler, Erin Bowers and Keith Semler; and five great –grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Semler on January 9, 2021. A service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made Heifer International or National Forest Foundation.