Dick was born February 14, 1932, in Eldora, Iowa, to Hurley Maas and Ethel (Martin) Maas and grew up with three siblings: Floyd, Mary and Marcia in Union, Iowa. He loved baseball, the guys he played with and playing catcher for the Union High School. He attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, to pursue a mechanical engineering degree, but later switched to pursue optometry. He married Meridean Leone Speas, Union, Iowa, on August 22, 1954, while both were attending the University of Iowa to pursue their careers, although they had been dating since meeting in high school in Union. He began attending the Chicago School of Optometry, Chicago, IL, where he obtained his doctoral degree in 1959. Meridean and Dick returned to live in Liscomb, Iowa, in the John Tripp home at the end of Liscomb’s Main Street where Meridean’s grandparents, H.D. (Dick) and Mabel Johnson lived for many years. Dick was a partner in the Long, Clawson and Maas Optometric Practice in Marshalltown, Iowa, for 30 years. He retired in 1997, but remained a member of the American Optometric Association for over 60 years. At the time of his retirement, Dick and Meridean began living full-time in Iowa City, Iowa.

After his retirement, Dick continued to support Meridean in her career as a Professor of Nursing at the University of Iowa. He was very proud of her accomplishments and accompanied her on countless trips and consulting assignments where they both made many life-long friends.

Dick was a life-long member of the Liscomb Church of Christ, Liscomb, Iowa, where he served as a board member, deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. He loved to sing and was a member of the Church of Christ Men’s Quartet. He sang many duets with Meridean at church functions. Dick served as the architect for the church remodeling project that included a new front entrance, additional foyer space and Sunday school space.

Dick’s hobbies included travel around the world, camping in the United States, charcoal drawing, listening to music and woodworking. He earned the moniker “Mr. Fix It” from his family due to his many skills. He shared his talent of woodworking lovingly with family members and friends. His family will cherish the many treasures he designed and built. He always loved any type of mobile on wheels including his love for mowing the yard with his John Deere tractors. He often reminisced about their world travels together, visiting all 50 states and over 15 countries, that allowed them the opportunity to experience many cultures and countries. Dick rarely ever missed a Hawkeye football or basketball game and always looked forward to another bowl game to attend.

Dick served as a board member on the Beaman, Conrad, Liscomb, Union, Whitten (BCL-UW) Community School District School Board for 16 years. He served during the time that the BCL Community School District began partnering with the UW Community School District. He was very pleased with the progress the district was able to make during his years of service and always appreciated the importance of providing access to a quality education for all children.

Dick is survived by Meridean, his wife of 65 years; three children: Robin (Rick) Maas-Galloway, of Clear Lake, IA; Richard Maas II, of Marengo, IA and Regan (Tony) Maas-Forsmark, of Northridge, CA; his nine grandchildren: Lara (Chip) Galloway-Wandling, Reid Galloway, Ryan Galloway, Reece Maas, Ryleigh Maas, Calvin Maas, Samantha Maas, Delaney Forsmark and Everley Forsmark; four great grandchildren: Loic Wandling, Mira Wandling, Belen Wandling and Neve Wandling and many extended family members and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Hurley and Ethel; siblings: Floyd, Mary and Marcia and in-laws, Miriam and Kenneth Speas.

Please indicate in cards with memorials which one of the following you would like to support: Liscomb Church of Christ, Liscomb, Iowa; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Bird House Hospice, Iowa City, Iowa.

The family requests that cards and memorials be sent to: Meridean Maas, Grand Living, 3 Russell Slade Blvd., Apt. #314, Coralville, IA, 52241.