March 18, 2024

Richard ‘Rich’ Gander

Richard “Rich” Gander, 45, of Creston died on Monday, July 28, 2014, in rural Creston.  A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 at the funeral home. Memorials to the Creston Fire and Rescue may be left at the funeral home.

Richard, the son of Delbert and Carolyn (Mundell) Gander, was born Feb. 14, 1969 in Des Moines. He grew up north of Killduff. Rich was a 1987 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School and then received his degree in education from Central College. Rich was currently serving as a high school math teacher and 9th grade softball coach at Creston High School. Prior to that he taught and coached at both Centerville and Twin Cedars. Rich was a dedicated and beloved teacher who was passionate and had a great influence on kids. He had a special gift of making all kids feel worthwhile. Rich loved to fish, take photography of sporting events, and volunteer his time at the schools.

Those left to honor Rich’s memory are his dad, Delbert Gander of Newton; siblings, Steve Gander of Polk City and Carla Gander of Newton; and his nieces, Brittany Gander and Jami Gander of Newton. He was preceded in death by his mom, Carolyn Gander.