Obituaries : Richard C. Lough

Richard Lough

VINTON – Richard C. Lough, 55, died Saturday, May 8, 2010, at his home in Vinton from heart failure.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton with Pastor Mark C. Urlaub officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.

Richard Charles Lough was born December 1, 1954, in Salinas, California, to Charles and Donna Waddle Lough. He was raised and attended school in Vinton, graduating from Washington High School in 1973. He attended Marshalltown Community College and Upper Iowa University in Fayette. He was an ASE Certified Master Tech.

On April 15, 1978, he married the love of his life, Lori Lerch, in Vinton, Iowa. She preceded him in death on April 25, 2006.

Richard’s automotive career began with his Dad at the Vinton Standard Truck Stop and led to him becoming the manager of Tech Services for the Dana Corporation in Branford, CT.

Richard shared two passions with his sons: reading science fiction was shared with Chris, and anything automotive was shared with Eric. Richard’s influence is present today as Chris and Eric work in science fiction publishing and automotive IT, respectively.

He is survived by two sons: Christopher (Elizabeth Kies) of New York City, NY, and Eric (Kristina) of Branford, CT; mother, Donna Lough of Vinton; maternal grandmother, Esther Waddle of Ottumwa; four brothers: Donald (Joanna) and Ray (Trish) Lough, both of Vinton; Cliff (Linda) Lough of Fairfax; and Charles (Frank) Lough of Quincy, IL; four sisters: Annette (Steven) Krug of Weldon; Cathy (Greg) Stein of Elberon; LaDonna (Jeff) Geiger of Vinton; and Genevieve (Doug) Almandinger of Marion; mother-in-law, Cathy Lerch (Russell) Funk of Weslaco, TX; sister-in-law, Michelle Gaylord of Bellaire, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lori; his father, Charles Lough; father-in-law, Charles Lerch; paternal grandparents, Herbert Lough, Genevieve and D.S. Bales and maternal grandfather, Robert Waddle; and several aunts and uncles.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Richard and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.