Richard (Rick) Edward Danly

Richard (Rick) Edward Danly

Cedar Rapids

Richard (Rick) Edward Danly passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 at home, after courageously battling cancer for the past 25+ years. Throughout his journey, Rick exhibited unbelievable bravery, strength, and fearlessness. He fought with persistence, stubbornness, and resilience, till his very last breath.

Rick was born Dec. 7, 1955 in Cedar Rapids to Richard and Joann Danly. He lived in Mechanicsville, Iowa before the family relocated to Orange County, California. After a few years, the family came back to Cedar Rapids. Rick graduated from Kennedy high school in 1974, where he was an outstanding basketball player. Rick spent 40 years working at Quaker Oats, where he made many long-lasting friendships. Rick retired in 2013.

Rick married his soul mate, Teresa (Himmel), June 26, 1976, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They welcomed their first daughter Melissa in November of 1978, shortly followed by Stacy, 9 months later, who came into this world as an angel, and in June of 1981, their son Ryan was born.

Rick was a devoted husband, impeccable father, astounding grandpa, son, brother/brother-in-law, uncle, friend, and a phenomenal source of optimism to every and anyone he encountered.

Rick was known for his protective and nurturing ways, his loyalty, dependability, ginormous heart, athleticism, commitment, sincerity, his generosity, quick wit, adventurer, thrill seeker, and his infamous line “hold my beer, watch this”! He was a man with nine lives! From motocross racing, 4×4 riding, cliff diving, bridge jumping, falling out of tree stands, and the list goes on. He enjoyed camping, bowling, fishing, traveling, floats down the river, days on the sand bar, and of course, Busch Light was always involved.

Rick played 16” softball for Intertrade Steel starting in 1979. He had numerous all-state awards, was inducted into the state of Iowa softball hall of fame, as well as the Cedar Rapids softball hall of fame. He considered those “the good ole days”, and cherished all his memories, as well as his teammates and the lifelong friends he made along the way.

After his playing days, he coached Ryan and Melissa in multiple sports. He took so much pride to see both of his kids excel in their chosen sport(s), never missing a practice, a game, or a tournament. He looked forward to helping his son coach his granddaughters once they got older, but life had different plans, for both of them. The love he had for his family was always apparent. It did not take long for his granddaughters to have him wrapped around their fingers; he had a difficult time ever telling them no. Regardless of how exhausted he was from his fight, he continually found energy for them.

After retirement, Rick enjoyed golfing with friends, traveling to all 50 states, and spent 6 weeks on a trip driving through Canada to Alaska, with the love of his life, Teresa. He spent a couple winters in Arizona, then became a winter Texan, spending time in the Rio Grande Valley. He was always open to take a trip to Grenada Mississippi to catch monster crappies.

Rick is survived by his wife Teresa, daughter Melissa (fiancé Chad Carter), daughter-in-law Stephanie, granddaughters Kennedy, Brooklyn, and Arianna, bonus grandchildren Asia, Jassey, and Liam Carter. His mother Joann. Sister Becky (David) Sawyer, son Kurtis. Sister Chris (Dave) Pease, sons Daniel and wife Nicole, Tanner and wife Hailey, their daughters Vivian and Lydia. Sister-in-law Julie (Craig) Deason, their children Robert and wife Ashley Deason, daughters Sophia and Evelyn, Steven Deason, Kelli Lawrence and her children Elliot, Jovi, and Jessie. Brother-in-law Larry and wife Kathy Himmel and their daughter Heather. Brother-in-law Carl and wife Cindy Himmel, and their children Nate and Kendra Himmel, Matthew and Melanie Himmel, Laura Himmel and Emily Himmel. Brother-in-law Scott Himmel and his daughter Sarah and her husband Steve McKee and their children Gabby, Lizzy, and Slade.

He is preceded in death by his much-loved son Ryan Danly, and his daughter Stacy Danly. His father Richard “Dick” Danly, and Dick’s lifelong companion, Jean Britcher. Also, many great-aunts and great-uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.