LINGWALL, Richard William

Richard William Lingwall August 1, 1938 to December 28, 2009 Richard William Lingwall passed away December 28, 2009 after a one month battle with gall bladder cancer. He was born on August 1, 1938 in Ft. Dodge, Iowa the son of William and Leona (Swanson) Lingwall. He grew up in Harcourt, Iowa where he first found his love for music. He began playing the piano for Sunday School when he was eleven and started playing the organ for church when he was in Jr. High. This continued for over fifty years. During high school he was editor of the Annual, played basketball, and played trombone in the band. He graduated third in his class in 1956 from Harcourt High School. He then attended Drake University where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degree in music education. On July 9, 1966 he was united in marriage with Marilyn Shirley Schlake at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Garnavillo, Iowa by his uncle Rev. Dr. Reynold Lingwall. He began his forty year teaching career in Dallas Center, Iowa as the high school band director in 1960. He then moved on to be the band director in Nevada, Iowa in 1966. Richard took his band to the Red River Expedition in Winnipeg, Canada, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia, and New York City. While in Nevada two sons were born, Nathan Allan and Stephen James. In 1980 the family moved to Coon Rapids Iowa where Richard became the band director for the elementary, junior high and high school bands. After five years the family moved to Casa Grande, Arizona where Richard was the high school band director until 2000. Richard was awarded the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers award for teachers who made a difference in the lives of their students. Music was his vocation, avocation, and totally dominated his life. It is said that teachers often have a favorite student but he always said that all of his students were his favorites and he thoroughly enjoyed working with them. After retirement, Richard and Marilyn moved to Mesa, Arizona. Richard was very active in church music all of his life. He loved to travel and has visited five continents. In his retirement he volunteered much of his time at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Jordan Elementary School, Herberger Theater, Gammage Auditorium and Symphony Hall. In his memoirs Richard said “I have had a very blessed, charmed, and productive life so far, much of which is due to my one and only true love of forty-three years, Marilyn. We share the same interests and vocation, and compliment each other very well. Retirement is great, and I thoroughly enjoy life.” Richard is survived by his loving wife Marilyn; sons, Nathan (Kendra) Lingwall, Stephen (Lynn) Lingwall; three grandsons, Chal Gomez, Wyatt Lingwall and Braeden Lingwall. He was proceeded in death by his parents.