Richard John Eikelboom was born October 31, 1946 in Cambridge, Massachusetts the son of John and Sandra (Sterling) Eikelboom.

Richard was raised in Massachusetts and at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served our country with six years in the Air Force and six years in the reserves. Richard then lived in Wichita, Kansas, serving as a reserve officer for the city and county. He later worked in Kansas and Missouri as a police officer before moving to Knoxville, Iowa. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Iowa State University. On December 26, 2002 he was united in marriage to Rebecca Lynn Ludwig. Richard worked as a security officer at the Knoxville V.A. Medical Center until his retirement at the age of 65.

In his spare time, Richard operated a computer repair business for several years. He also enjoyed model trains and was fiercely loyal to his alma mater, Iowa State University. Richard’s greatest joy was being a proud grandpa.

Richard passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025 at MercyOne, in Des Moines, at the age of 79 years.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a grandchild and his sibling, Jeffery.

Those left to honor Richard’s memory include his wife, Becky; son Rodney, his wife, Alisha and their children: Austin, Abby and Addasyn; son, John Johnson; daughter, Danielle Verwers, her husband, Dustin and their children: Carter, Jonas, Eliana, Felicity and Olivia; siblings: Cynthia, Paul and Pamela Eikelboom and many other family members and friends.

A memorial service for Richard Eikelboom, age 79 of Knoxville, will be held Monday, December 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. A Masonic Service will precede the funeral at 10:30 a.m. Military Honors will follow the service, after which the family will receive friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.