Richard L. Paulsen, 84, of Moline, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Moline, with a visitation also one hour before the service.
Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or the Iowa Ladies Football Academy benefiting the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Mr. Paulsen was born February 23, 1935, at Mercy Hospital, Davenport, the son of Clifford and Hertha Paulsen.
He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1953, attended Augustana College, and served in the U. S. Army and the Army Reserves. On May 18, 1957, he married his beloved wife, Sieglinde Wegehaupt, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Island, and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1960. After moving to Moline in 1976, he and his family joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Mr. Paulsen served as an Elder at both churches and on the Mutual Encouragement and Property Committees. On January 15, 1955, he went to work with his father at Paulsen Electric Co., Moline. He started as a truck driver, served an electrical apprenticeship, was a journeyman electrician, estimator, vice president, and became president of the company in 1981 after his father’s death.
He was a member of IBEW, the National Electrical Contractors Association (Quad Cities Chapter), served on the Health & Welfare Committee for several years, and helped conduct classes on the National Electrical Code. He served on the Electrical Commission for the City of Moline for ten years. After closing his business at the end of 1994, he worked for Moline Electrical Supply Co., a division of Springfield Electric, and retired from there in 1999.
Mr. Paulsen enjoyed his vegetable garden, travelling, taking slide pictures, and being with his family. He was an avid fan of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals, and any team for which his family played or coached. Survivors include his wife of 61 years; son, Stephen, New Lenox; son, Scott, Peoria; daughter, Susan Paulsen, Weinstock (Tracy Bennett), Sycamore; and his daughters Keirsten and Kaleigh; granddaughters, Samantha (Austin Cox), and great grandson, Carter; Kristin; and Brianna (Cal); brothers, Don (Gloria); Ken (Marlene); sister Jancie Stubbs; and several nieces and nephews.
Memories may be shared on the tribute wall.
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