Richard K. Newgard – age 77, of Laurens, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Richard Kaye Newgard was born August 13, 1943 in Antioch, California to Leonard and Alice Newgard (nee Real). His father was a barber until he became ill, then the family of five returned to Iowa and lived in Arnold's Park, IA for several years. Richard's father passed away in 1954 and his mother moved the family to Laurens. Richard attended, and was confirmed in the Laurens Lutheran Church. He graduated high school in 1962. In October 1966, Rich married Deborah Sue Johnson, of Rolfe, IA. The couple had two children, Jason Richard and Jessie Fritz.

He was employed at Roger Reimers' auto body repair shop after high school. Rich went on to establish the auto body shop at Shimon Auto. In 1968, he started his own business, Rich's Body Shop. He enjoyed the challenge of a good fender bender. His motto was "You Bend 'Em, I Mend 'Em". Rich eventually closed his business and began working at Bobalee Hydraulics.

Rich became a widower in 1998, after the passing of his wife, Deborah. In September 2000, he married Bonita D. Thompson (nee Silvey) and began working side by side with her at Town and Country Floral, until they retired in 2018.

During his life, Rich was an active member and leader in the Lutheran church and later, the First Christian Church where he was an Elder and taught Sunday school. He was active in the community of Laurens as a Scout leader, a founding member of the Laurens ambulance service, and served as an Emergency Medical Technician on the ambulance crew. Rich was a long-serving City Council member, and in 2018, along with his wife Bonnie, was honored as Grand Marshall of the Laurens Summer Celebration and presented with the key to the city. Rich was a member of Grace Lodge #519, and a member of the Sioux City Consistory.

Rich loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and was an avid reader of world history. Richard twice traveled with his sons, Jason and Jessie, to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and encouraged his grandsons to travel to the Boundary Waters, too. Rich was known for his love of animals, including his many cats, dogs and his goat, Buddy.

Richard was preceded in death by his father and mother, Leonard and Alice, his wife, Deborah, and his brother, Eugene Newgard. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Newgard, his sister Karen (Chuck) Blankenship, sister-in-law, Maria Newgard, son Jason (Kendra) Newgard, son Jessie (Kelley) Newgard, grandchildren Chase and Ellie Boeve and Adrian and Nathaniel Newgard.