Philip Lyle Richards
October 18, 1929 — March 2, 2024
Philip Lyle Richards passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, IA at the age of 94 years, 4 months and 15 days.
Philip was born October 18, 1929 to Fred and Ruth (Hayes) Richards.
Philip grew up on a farm in rural Pleasantville with his parents and sister, Jane Ann. A few years after graduating from Pleasantville High School he enlisted in the United States Army in January, 1952 during the Korean War and was in the 115th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division. Before he shipped out, however, it was discovered he could break horses, so he was sent to California to represent the US Army in a rodeo.
Philip called Korea "an adventure", but that doesn't do justice to his time there as he saw some of the worst fighting as well as enduring temperatures as low as -40 degrees. He said he slept outside nearly all his time there. Part of his time was at Outpost Tom in what was called the Iron Triangle of Outposts Tom, Dick and Harry, an area smaller than Iowa and Missouri combined. Outpost Tom endured daily heavy mortar shelling.
After returning home he went back to farming, worked as a hired hand and factory worker until moving to town and dedicating himself for many years to taking care of his parents and his Aunt Lena and Uncle George Richards until their passing.
To say Philip stayed active all his life is an understatement. He loved his cars and loved to push the speed limit, but had never gotten a speeding ticket until 2023. He loved horses, rodeos, and dancing with the ladies; one of his favorite tunes to dance to was “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home”. He had an enduring friendship with the former Governor Robert D. Ray and Mrs. Billie Ray. It wasn't unusual to see him hauling brush to the dump on his tractor, on the roof of his house, or up a ladder cleaning out his gutters, causing some well-deserved consternation from the neighbors.
Philip was a 70-year member of the Pleasantville American Legion and a member of the Pleasantville Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jane Ann Isenberg and brother-in-law Howard and an infant niece, Janelle. He is survived by his niece, Julie (Pat) Wilkinson, and a host of cousins and friends. The City of Pleasantville will certainly miss his familiar figure around town.
Memorials to American Legion and Christian Church.
Philip was born October 18, 1929 to Fred and Ruth (Hayes) Richards.
Philip grew up on a farm in rural Pleasantville with his parents and sister, Jane Ann. A few years after graduating from Pleasantville High School he enlisted in the United States Army in January, 1952 during the Korean War and was in the 115th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division. Before he shipped out, however, it was discovered he could break horses, so he was sent to California to represent the US Army in a rodeo.
Philip called Korea "an adventure", but that doesn't do justice to his time there as he saw some of the worst fighting as well as enduring temperatures as low as -40 degrees. He said he slept outside nearly all his time there. Part of his time was at Outpost Tom in what was called the Iron Triangle of Outposts Tom, Dick and Harry, an area smaller than Iowa and Missouri combined. Outpost Tom endured daily heavy mortar shelling.
After returning home he went back to farming, worked as a hired hand and factory worker until moving to town and dedicating himself for many years to taking care of his parents and his Aunt Lena and Uncle George Richards until their passing.
To say Philip stayed active all his life is an understatement. He loved his cars and loved to push the speed limit, but had never gotten a speeding ticket until 2023. He loved horses, rodeos, and dancing with the ladies; one of his favorite tunes to dance to was “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home”. He had an enduring friendship with the former Governor Robert D. Ray and Mrs. Billie Ray. It wasn't unusual to see him hauling brush to the dump on his tractor, on the roof of his house, or up a ladder cleaning out his gutters, causing some well-deserved consternation from the neighbors.
Philip was a 70-year member of the Pleasantville American Legion and a member of the Pleasantville Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jane Ann Isenberg and brother-in-law Howard and an infant niece, Janelle. He is survived by his niece, Julie (Pat) Wilkinson, and a host of cousins and friends. The City of Pleasantville will certainly miss his familiar figure around town.
Memorials to American Legion and Christian Church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Philip Lyle Richards, please visit our flower store.
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Funeral Service
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
