Senator Richard F. Drake View All Years

Richard F. Drake

Richard F. Drake was born on September 28, 1927, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Frank and Gladys Young Drake. He passed away on January 26, 2008, at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean; daughter Cheryll Hadley of Wilton, Connecticut; son Rick Drake and his wife Willa of Muscatine; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Drake graduated from Muscatine High School in 1945. He attended Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1950. Drake married Shirley Jean Henke in Muscatine in 1950.

Drake was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy and served his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Crow and chief of navigations on the U.S.S. Oriskany. Friends and colleagues called him “The Commander” in honor of his service to our country. After nine years of active duty, Drake returned to Iowa.

Drake took care of the family farm for many years. During this time, he served in the Iowa Legislature. He was elected to the House of Representatives in November 1968. He served as a state representative for eight years and then was elected to the Senate. He served as a senator for 28 years. His distinguished career included many years as chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee. He was instrumental in the passage of important transportation legislation, and his knowledge regarding such issues was widely recognized and appreciated throughout the state. He served as a member of the Senate Ethics Committee and was on numerous other Senate committees, as he unselfishly gave of his time and efforts to provide beneficial programs for the citizens of Iowa.

Drake was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, KAABA Shrine of Davenport, Masons, Rotary, Farm Bureau, and Grace Lutheran Church. He received many awards for his lifetime of service to community and country.

Drake was a Muscatine County Republican. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1969–1976 during the 63rd–66th General Assemblies. He served in the Iowa Senate from 1977–2004 during the 67th–80th General Assemblies.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Richard F. Drake, 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.

THOMAS G. COURTNEY

JAMES F. HAHN

DAVID HARTSUCH

Committee