Dr. James Richard (Dick) Kennedy

Dr. James Richard (Dick) Kennedy

Iowa City

Dr. James Richard (Dick) Kennedy, 91, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Dick was born in Washington, IA on November 12, 1933, one of five children of Charles and Mildred Kennedy. After graduating from Washington High School in 1951, he attended Iowa State University, where he earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine. Following his graduation in 1957, he moved to Iowa City and joined Dr. Alan Lang’s veterinary practice. Dick enjoyed working primarily with large animals and building relationships with farmers in the community. He retired from Veterinary Associates in 1995.

Dick married the love of his life, Linda Kathleen Klein, on Oct 5, 1963. They enjoyed traveling the world and participated in several Rotary Friendship Exchange trips, where they hosted and were hosted by families across the globe. They were season ticket holders for University of Iowa football and basketball for decades. However, despite his love for the Hawkeyes and living in Iowa City for 65 years, Dick was a die-hard Iowa State fan.

Dick was an active member of numerous community service organizations, including Rotary. The coordination and delivery of medical equipment and supplies to underprivileged countries was one of the highlights. His passion for genealogy led him to his involvement in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He was also involved in veterinary associations, including the AVMA and IVMA, serving 40 years on the Executive Board. He was passionate about fishing and loved to play cribbage.

Dick had a great sense of humor and an incredibly optimistic outlook on life. He never met a stranger, and to know him was to love him.

His most proud accomplishment and the primary focus of his life was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. Dick is survived by his four children: Jay, Kristin Peterson (husband Chris), and children Jordan Kinney (husband Kyle, and soon to be Dick’s first great-grandson), and Chloe; Sara McKay (husband Brad), and children Aidan and Luke; Todd (wife Kelly), and children Molly, Finley and Caitlin; and his sister Martha Hahn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his parents; his sister Shirley Jean Geil; and his brothers, John and Robert Kennedy.

Visitation will be held Sunday, December 29, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, at Gay and Ciha Funeral Services, Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Monday, December 30 at 10:30 am. Burial and luncheon to follow. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.gayandciha.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd, Ames IA 50010, to benefit the Dr. J. Richard and Linda K. Kennedy Family Veterinary Scholarship. Online donations can be made at www.foundation.iastate.edu.