Obituary of Richard S. Loughran

Richard Scott Loughran, 81, of Iowa City, died Sunday, November 10, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 17, 2024 from 3-7 pm at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services. There will be a prayer service following the visitation.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Croix Hospice. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gay andciha.com.

Rich Loughran was born May 9,1943 in Davenport, Iowa. The son of Clifford and Francis Loughran. His family later moved to Iowa City in 1946.  Rich went to Longfellow Elementary, and graduated from City High School in 1961. Rich loved growing up in Iowa City, going to City Park Pool, fishing and riding his bike all over town. One of his favorite things to do was to go down to his family’s farm in Danville and pick the garden, and milk the cows. He always said it was hard work but he enjoyed every minute of it. Rich continued his education to earn his degree from Oklahoma State University. Rich was also in the National Guard at Ft Leonard Wood during this tim

Rich later returned to Iowa City in 1964, to work and eventually take over the family business,  Pyramid Services, with his brother John until 2023. He married Mary Stephens on June 18, 1966,in Lemars, Iowa. They were happily married for 54 years until Mary’s death in 2020.  During this time they started their family. Rich loved providing for his family. He was always working, whether going back to Pyramid at night, fixing things around the house or working in his yard, he was always busy. He would tell everyone that he “never worked a day in his life because, if you enjoy what you do it isn’t work.” He loved taking his family on vacations, he wanted to see the country. The family often took their motorhome so they could take the scenic route. He loved the mountains and the beaches. He found beauty in everything. He always found time to attend all his kids sporting and music events. Rich loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he was an avid fan of the football team, taking friends and family tailgating. He held season tickets for over 40 years. Rich enjoyed his motorcycle trips across the county as well as his snowmobiling trips. He loved driving through the mountains and the time he spent in their family home in Colorado. Rich loved to enjoy life to the fullest. One of his biggest joys was the pool they put in. He loved having a full house of kids and friends and loved seeing everyone have fun. When Rich wasn’t enjoying his family and friends you could often find him in his well kept yard, washing his cars or helping a neighbor.

After raising his children, Rich later enjoyed his life as Papa. He enjoyed trips to Disney and Sanibel Island and several other destinations. You could always find him at their school activities and sporting events. They would often go over to his house and fish. He also taught many of them how to drive. He loved spending time with them, you could always tell by the smile he had on his face. If he wasn’t spending time with his family you could find him enjoying his home, cars and spending the winters in Florida. Every sunday was brunch and Rich always brought the bacon! He was always so happy that his entire family was in Iowa City.

Rich as one of a kind. Eerybody that met him liked him. He just had a special way about him. He was selfless and full of generosity. He loved to talk and always had a good story to tell. He would always tell his friends and family how truly blessed he was and that he thoroughly enjoyed his life. Family was everything to him and he would let everyone know that.    Rich carried around a saying in his wallet, “Enjoy the little things in life for someday you will realize they were the big things.” He realized that everyday was a gift, and everyone around him knew he enjoyed the little things as much as the big things.  He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.

His family includes his children, Jason and wife Liz, Alicia and husband Greg Hayden; grandchildren, Tristan(Becca), Lili( Drew), Ellie, Mia, Jaci, Joli, Alex and Cooper; great grandchildren, Brynn, Theo and Milo.  Siblings, Virginia Clemons and husband Dr. Bryan Clemons, John Loughran and wife Val, in laws Margaret Correia and husband Jack, Jay Stephens and wife Julie and numerous nieces and nephews along with his very dear friend, Sandy Willingham.