Richard Raymond Capper, 94, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his home from a subdural hematoma and is now with his Savior.
Born at home in DeWitt, Iowa, on February 4,1932, to Leon and Norma Capper, Richard graduated from DeWitt High School, served in the Korean War, and married Nancy Cox Capper on August 5, 1955, where they had three children. Richard worked at Alcoa for a number of years, and then went into a partnership with his cousin buying Matthiesen’s Meat Locker. Previously, he had worked for Pete Matthiesen at the locker where he learned the meat business. He retired from Barnes Foodland and worked part time for DeWitt Parks and Rec mowing grass and helped his cousin during deer season at Matthiesen’s Deer Processing.
He was an avid golfer and spent many summers at Springbrook Country Club playing with JL Smith, Ron Baxter, Porky Burmeister, and several others. Later he played at Wapsi Oaks and achieved a hole-in-one at Signal Hills Country Club in Panama City, FL, witnessed by his grandson Benjamin. In addition to golfing, Richard was a bowler and a card player. Also, he coached Little League Baseball when his sons were young, was a member of the American Legion, Masons, and a participant of the Honor Flight in 2013 with his good friend, Don Hesse. He enjoyed going to sporting events at the high school and to Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games. Later, he and his family loved watching Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball and Fever games on television.
Going to Florida with his wife was the highlight of his winters where they had a great time socializing with the friends they met. After living in DeWitt their entire lives, he and wife moved with their daughter to Fort Wayne, IN, to be with their son and his family for their remaining years.
Once a month Richard joined his son, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for breakfast, which was his favorite meal. He was a hard worker, a man of few words, but when he talked, everyone listened. Richard was independent and took care of himself until his first subdural hematoma on March 20th. After surgery he went to a rehab facility to become stronger, regain his balance, and mobility. Unfortunately, on April 12th the subdural hematoma reoccurred and his health declined rapidly.
Richard is survived by his daughter Kris, and his son Mark (Christine) of Fort Wayne, IN, and son Curt (Carol) of Pekin, IL, his “daughter-in-law” Camille Cady of St.Cloud, MN, his sisters Corrine Halverson of Long Beach, CA, Carole Halblieb of Bend, Oregon, and Julie (Terry) Wulf of DeWitt. He also leaves behind a brother-in-law Charles (Sandy) Cox of DeWitt and Diane Simon of Manchester, IA. Left to honor Richard are the following grandchildren: Melissa (Brad) Fudge of Columbia City, IN; Haviland (Steve) Brick of Greenfield, WI; Benjamin (Brittany) Capper, Jonathan (Brooke) both of Fort Wayne and Ryan (Anya) of St. Cloud, MN. Also, Richard had 11 great-grandchildren: Mariana and Tierney Brick, Jocelyn, Saben, Penelope, Camden Fudge, Kay, Nolan Tripp, June and Myami Capper. He left behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a favorite cousin-law, Sandy Matthiessen of DeWitt.
There will be a private celebration of Richard’s life at a local restaurant where everyone can have breakfast, his favorite meal. In lieu of flowers, please donate to https://dewittreferralcenter.org/ in Richard’s name.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Nancy, who died in February of 2026, his parents, and his son-in-law Mark McGuire. The family wishes to thank Nan of Stillwater Hospice for taking care of Richard.