Richard D. Roark

Richard D. Roark passed away peacefully at North Woods Village on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

He was born on November 13, 1929, in Mason City, Iowa, son of Richard M. and Leila (Curtis) Roark. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1948 and Mason City Junior College in 1950.

On October 20, 1951, at the 1st Baptist Church in Mason City he married Lenore Sharpe, who preceded him. Surviving are two sons, Michael R. (Marcia) Roark of Ramsey, MN, and Timothy D. (Marcia) Roark of Brush Prairie, WA, and two daughters, Sue E. (Rick) Lewis of Iowa City, IA, and Peggy Kelley of South Bend, IN. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and a niece, Erin Langhorst, of Apple Valley, MN. He was preceded in death by both parents, his sister, Betty Arnold, and an infant brother and sister. 

Richard was employed by Armour Foods in Mason City beginning in 1950 and was subsequently transferred to South Bend as controller of the branch house in 1975 when the Mason City office and plant were closed. After the South Bend branch house closed in 1978, he went to work for Genesis Electronics of South Bend as an accountant, working until 1986. Prior to retiring in 1997, he worked for the former Valley American Bank as a courier. 

He was a member of the 1st Baptist Church in both Mason City and South Bend and most recently a member of Michiana Church of God in Granger. 

As a 27 year member of the United States Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard, he retired in 1975 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a member of the Michiana Chapter of MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), serving as Personal Affairs Officer. He was a member of both the South Bend Radio Control and River City Radio Control model plane clubs serving as treasurer, instructor, and model plane enthusiast. Dick was also a very active life member of the Edwardsburg Conservation Club and the Michigan DNR serving as a hunter safety instructor for 20+ years. He also was a member of the River Valley Chapter of Muzzle Loading, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Michigan United Conservation Club, member of the American Legion Post 365 in Edwardsburg, and was a Life Member of the NRA.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of both North Woods Village and Paradigm Health/Hospice for their care during this season of his life.

A memorial service at the Marion National Veterans Cemetery in Marion, IN, will be held at a future date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. 

To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit mcgannhay.com