Representative Richard John Norpel View All Years

Richard J. Norpel, Sr.

Richard J. Norpel, Sr., was born on June 24, 1918, in Bellevue, Iowa, to Charles and Laura Meier Norpel. He passed away on May 24, 2007, at the age of 88. He is survived by his six children: Charles Norpel of Maquoketa; Mary Norpel of Dubuque; Richard Norpel, Jr., and his wife Diane, Stephen Norpel and his wife Elizabeth, Suzanne Fondell and her husband Charles, all of Bellevue; and Laura Norpel of North Liberty. He is also survived by nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Norbert C., and his wife, Louise, of Des Moines.

Norpel was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Bellevue. He married Janaan Lewis on February 23, 1943, in New Albany, Indiana. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the 124th Horse Cavalry in the India-Burma-China theater. He was the recipient of a Bronze Star.

Norpel owned and operated Norpel’s Market and the Bellevue Hotel Corporation. He operated Norpel’s Insurance Company and was an agent with the Hoff Auction/Real Estate Agency. He served in the Iowa Legislature from 1971 through 1976, representing Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones counties. As a legislator, he was instrumental in the appropriation of funds for the Dubuque-Wisconsin Mississippi River Bridge.

Norpel was an active member of his community serving on many boards and commissions. He was a member of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Jackson County Board of Health, Jackson County Conservation Board, Iowa Mississippi Parkway Commission, Seventh Judicial District Correctional Agency, Sixth District Elected Officers Association, Bellevue City Council, Bellevue American Legion, VFW, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Farm Bureau, and Izaak Walton League.

Norpel enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and he loved to fish.

Norpel was a Jackson County Democrat. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives during the 64th and 65th General Assemblies from 1971–1974 and in the Iowa Senate during the 66th General Assembly from 1975–1976.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Richard J. Norpel, Sr., the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

JAMES F. HAHN

TOM HANCOCK

ROGER STEWART

Committee