Richard Alton

Richard Eugene "Dick" Alton was born In Malvern, IA on January 12, 1930 to Clarence and Barbara (Lang) Alton. Dick spent his early childhood in the Malvern, Iowa area and then moved out west to Cheyenne, Wyoming and Fort Collins, Colorado before coming back to Harrison County where he met his future wife. Richard married Hazel Holsapple on October 12, 1951. He then entered the US Army with a rank of PFC and served in the Korean War and received medals in riflery and the combat infantrymen's medal. His combat service was on the front line of Korea's DMZ. His remaining service was in the Army's motor pool, where he accommodated Army command, driving Brigadier General John Eisenhower, the son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dick had a lifelong love of cars and was a masterful mechanic. He owned the Pisgah filling station for some time and then later started his own glass repair business, Alton Glass. His favorite pastimes were camping and fishing with his family. The family surprised him and his wife Hazel on both their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries with a surprise camping trip with all of the children and grandchildren in attendance. He often said these trips were among some of his favorite memories. His quick wit, bright and somewhat mischievous eyes, along with his smile will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Dick died on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease at the age of 84 years, ten months and six days.
Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Hazel Alton of Pisgah, Iowa; one son, Gary Alton and his wife, Caren of Woodbine, Iowa; two daughters Barbara and her husband Jim Shellhammer from Glenwood, Iowa and Gina and her husband Jeff Leckron from Fairmount, Indiana; two grandsons, Jeff Watts of Omaha, Nebraska and Carter Elkins of Fairmount, Indiana; five granddaughters, Julie Golka of Omaha, Nebraska, Amber Daly of Loveland, Colorado, Angela Alton of Denver, Colorado and Erin Alton of Denver Colorado; seven great-grandchildren, Katie Hampton, Chase Packard, Alexa Daly, Alyssa Daly, Ashton Daly, Lilah Watts and Emilia Watts; one great-great grandson, Kallel Hampton and many other relatives and friends.
Memorial donations can be sent to Fouts Funeral Home to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.