Richard P. Meyer

Richard P. “Rich” Meyer, 70, of Eldridge, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rich will be offered at 5 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2026, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Long Grove. The family will greet friends from 3 until 5 p.m. Friday at church. Memorials may be made to St. Ann’s or Ohl Strong to support patients and families with pancreatic cancer. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Richard Peter Meyer was born on July 10, 1955, in Keokuk, Iowa, a son of Mark B. and Mary K. (Knepper) Meyer. He graduated from Dubuque Wahlert High School. Rich was united in marriage to Debra J. Schmidt on May 12, 1979, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Key West, Iowa. She preceded him in death on December 13, 2010.

Rich moved to the Quad Cities to work for CASE IH and then Caterpillar. He later worked at Farm and Fleet before retiring from the Von Maur Distribution Center in 2011.

If you knew Rich, you knew he loved the simple stuff. He was most at ease outdoors, especially on those early summer mornings fishing along the Mighty Mississippi near Princeton and meticulously taking care of his yard. Fishing and hunting were a big part of his life, whether it was pheasant hunting with family or spending time at the trap range. He enjoyed hopping in the car for day trips to Galena or the Amana Colonies, happy just to wander and see what caught his eye. Rich was a loyal fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Chicago Cubs. Most important to Rich though was his grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory are his children: Nicole Rathje (Kevin Kalb), Eldridge, Iowa and Christopher Meyer, Ames, Iowa; grandchildren: Brock Rathje and Sage Rathje, both of Eldridge, Iowa; siblings: Judi (Stan) Daniels, Bellevue, Iowa, Mary Ann (Jerry) Finco, Blue Grass, Iowa, Mark (Marsha) Meyer, Johnston, Iowa, and Luke (Jane) Meyer, Machesney Park, Illinois and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Debra, Rich was preceded in death by his parents, his father-and-mother-in-law, brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and infant sisters, Jane Marie and Mary Therese Meyer. May they rest in peace.