Richard G. Luchsinger passed away at home unexpectedly on Friday, December 27, 2024. Richard “Rich” was born on September 15, 1943, in Dubuque, son of Raymond and Angeline (Nacos) Luchsinger in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 12:15 pm Monday, January 6, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

A time of sharing for Rich will be 12:15 Monday, January 6, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque.

Rich attended Jackson and Fulton grade school, Washington Junior high school and completed his secondary education at Senior High School. Early on, Rich found a passion assembling model trains with scenery and layouts with his brother, Ron. In 1961, Rich enrolled in the University of Dubuque, later completing coursework at Iowa State University and University of Minnesota. After nine years of coursework, Rich obtained an Architect license and joined a small firm in Madison. Rich eventually left Wisconsin and joined the Durant group in Rockford, Illinois and then returned to Dubuque to assist the City of Dubuque on the construction of Five Flags.

In December 1984 Rich was hired as the first Project Manager (outside of the immediate Conlon family) for the Conlon Construction Company bringing him back to Dubuque, Iowa. Rich loved this role and spent thirty years contributing to the growth and success of the company. Rich’s talents as an architect coupled with his background in planning and design assisted clients in exploring ideas and identifying design solutions within their budget. Rich was known as a quiet leader, managing projects with integrity and fairness and relentless attention to detail. Rich was the consummate professional, working to respectfully resolve issues behind the scenes and sharing his wisdom with his team. Rich’s positivity was evident as he often greeted others with, “What’s the good word?”

Rich retired in January, 2015, after over forty years of professional experience which included drafting, design development, planning, working drawing and specification productions, scheduling, estimating, project management and supervision, client- contractor coordination, quality control and independent architectural practice. Rich was integral to the successful completion of many new and remodel projects working with the following Dubuque organizations: Finley Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Medical Associates, Dubuque Internal Medicine, Sisters of Charity BVM, St. Dominic Villa, Sisters of the Presentation, Sinsinawa Mound, Mount Saint Francis, Sunnycrest Manor, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Clarke College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, FDL and the Dubuque Museum of Art.

After retirement, one of his favorite pastimes was to drive his brother Ron through the city and provide a structural history of the Dubuque landmarks and reminisce about his projects over the years.

Rich’s love for trains and the railway was well known. Throughout his life Rich loved to visit train shows and museums seeking innovative ideas to build his scenarios and expand his collection. Rich loved to travel by train, routinely traveling to the east coast to join his brother for a holiday. In 1970, Rich began the tradition of sending out an annual pen and ink Christmas card which depicted a railroad scene that he studied or visited. These cards were collected by family and friends.

Rich cherished the time spent with family and friends and loved preserving special memories – whether it was a rock, a ticket stub, or a photo.  He will be greatly missed by his brother Ron, and those who had the honor of sharing time with him.

Rich was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan and the following statement by Roberto Clemente, one of his favorite players, summarizes Rich’s life; “I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all I had to give.”

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Angeline, and sister, Jean Anne.  He is survived by a brother Ronald of Dubuque, Iowa and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Rich’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.