Funeral Service March 10:30 AM United Methodist Church
Visitation March 4 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM United Methodist Church
Burial Oak Hill Cemetery-Irwin

Richard Lee Armentrout was born on February 1, 1933 on a farm west of Irwin, Iowa. He was the eldest son of Ancel Othal and Bertha Marie Armentrout. While he was growing up, the family moved to the city of Fiscus (population 30) in 1944. This was the first time they had running water, indoor toilets, and electricity. This was his home and had many great memories for him. Richard grew up in Fiscus with two brothers, Raymond and Donald who were joined by a lovely baby sister named Gloria. Richard was always up for a little mischief and would tease Raymond by making a smacking noise with his lips to irritate him. Raymond really hated that. Richard attended country school and was the only member of his eighth-grade class. He graduated Harlan High School in 1950 in a class of around 75. He has kept in touch with many of the friends he made ever since.

Richard helped out his dad and local farmers until he decided to volunteer for the draft in 1953. After basic training in the Army, he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. He was part of an anti-aircraft battery that protected the airport. After his adventures with the Army and his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned to his home in Iowa. He worked to help local farmers for a couple of years. He found a job with more excitement when he joined the Audubon County Sheriff's Office where he worked for over four years. He spent a brief stint working at the Omaha Printing Company for good measure.

Richard met Dorothy on a blind date, but she had caught his eye before that. She was working during summer break from college as a waitress at the Dinner Bell Cafe in Audubon. The cancelled check from the meal is still with their marriage certificate. They dated for close to two years before he got enough courage to ask for her hand. Richard and Dorothy Louise Barten were married on July 3, 1963, in Manning, Iowa. He thought that he had to have his mom sign for him so she went along to the courthouse!

He then started working for the Soil Conservation Service in Harlan and Audubon. An opportunity appeared and he went to the Bureau of Reclamation. Richard enjoyed his work and was able to live in Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado during his time with the Bureau. The project he was most proud of was the raising of the Buffalo Bill Dam in Cody, Wyoming. He received an award for his work on this project. Richard retired after thirty years of service. He loved his work and would have gladly worked thirty more.

Richard died on February 26, 2017, at the age of 84 years and 25 days. He passed away after recently returning to Iowa following the passing of his beloved wife of 53 years just three months prior. He is again with the love of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his children, Bryan Armentrout and his wife Beverly of Loveland, Colorado; Tanya Purdy of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Derek Armentrout and his wife Chamois of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Alex and Emerson Purdy; brother Raymond and his wife Karol of Collins, Iowa; Donald Armentrout (Helen) of Audubon, Iowa; sister Gloria and husband Lyle of Irwin, Iowa; son-in-law Pat Purdy; nieces and nephews; other family members and a great many friends.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.