Dick Finch was born in Boone to Meyrl and Ilene (Sayre) Finch on May 16, 1936. He was followed by his brother Wesley.
Dick was a graduate of the Scranton Consolidated School in 1954. On April 6, 1956, Dick was united in marriage to Delores Darlene Esdohr at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. They had two sons, David and Dale.
Dick was born into an automobile dealer family and was active in all aspects of the business. It started when Dick’s father Merle purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Scranton in 1939. In 1952, a new Chevrolet dealership was built south of Scranton on the Lincoln Highway. In 1958, Dick, Merle and Wesley then purchased the Chevrolet–Oldsmobile automobile dealership in Jefferson. The Cadillac franchise was added in 1970, which was the year Dick and Delores purchased the automobile dealership from Merle and Wesley. Dick and Delores built a new facility in 1971 on Highway 30, north of Jefferson. In 1985 they added the Buick and Pontiac franchises to their lineup, which made them a full-line GM dealership.
In 1995, Dick and Delores retired from the automobile business and sold out to their son Dale and his wife Jane. Automobiles were a big part of Dick’s family with uncles having dealerships in Traer and Guadeloupe, CA, and with another uncle working for GM in the service side of the business.
Dick retained his farming operation, which he loved. Dick and Delores retired in 1995 to Gold Canyon, AZ, with a summer home in Jefferson.
Dick was active in Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, National Automobile Dealers Association, a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson and a charter member in the Jefferson Elks lodge for 57 years.
Dick loved fishing and had a home on Lake Panorama for 17 years. He did a lot of fishing in Alaska, Mexico, Minnesota and Canada. He loved traveling and took many trips including Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro, Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. He and Delores had gone on six cruises. He also enjoyed wood carving, making many pieces for his family.
Dick died Feb. 22, 2021, at his home in Arizona at the age of 84 years. He was preceded in death by his father Meyrl Finch; mother Ilene Finch; brother Wesley Finch; and son David Finch.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delores; son Dale (Jane) Finch of Jefferson; granddaughters Emily Finch and Jennifer Carlson; grandson Dustin Finch; and three-great-grandsons.
Private family services will be held at a later date in Iowa. Memorials are suggested to the Greene County Animal Shelter or the Jefferson Elks Lodge.
Online condolences can be posted on Dick’s web page at www.sliningerschroeder.com
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, 515-386-2171
