Richard “Butch” Fitzsimmons, 76, of rural Davis County, Iowa passed away on December 24, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 27, 1948 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Charles and Bertha Kathleen “Kate” Utterback Fitzsimmons. He served in the Vietnam War from January 10, 1968 to August 13, 1969 as an E5 Sergeant, earning high honors with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. On June 30, 1979 he married Cathy Benge.
Butch worked for Rockwell International for 32 years before retiring in 1997. He did not stay retired long and went to work at Barker’s in Keosauqua after a week and stayed on there until 2015 when he officially retired. Butch enjoyed working and staying busy. He also raised some cattle and farmed some hay. He was a “Jack of all Trades” and was always willing to help anyone that needed it. He enjoyed spending time with his family and hunting. Butch will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Cathy Fitzsimmons; children, Chris (Jeannine) Benge, Corey Mathews, Mindy (Derek) Haynes, Tom (Jennifer) Fitzsimmons, Chad (Angie) Mathews; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and siblings, Delorris Lanman, Kenneth Fitzsimmons, Beverly Roberts, Drucilla Chickering, and Dean (Betty) Fitzsimmons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Etta Mae Evans, George Fitzsimmons, Chuck Fitzsimmons and Bob Fitzsimmons.
Butch’s wish was to be cremated. Burial with military honors will be at the Floris Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established to his family and may be mailed to the Wagler Funeral Home at: Butch Fitzsimmons Memorial, 304 W. Jefferson St., Bloomfield, Iowa 52537.
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