Source: Sioux City Journal, September 30, 2003

Richard Charles "Rick" De Grasse, 53, of Largo, Fla., formerly of Sioux City, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, following a lengthy illness.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Nativity Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Gerald Feierfeil officiating.

Rick was born Dec. 26, 1949, in Sioux City. He was a 1968 graduate of Heelan High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial administration from Iowa State University in 1972, where he was a member of the Epsilon Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Upon graduation, he moved to Largo, Fla., and entered the home-building business. He held a broad range of positions in marketing, project, sales and construction management. He worked for companies such as Imperial Homes Corp., Centex Home of Florida Inc., Bill Axelrod and Company, Lennar Homes Inc., Joswig Construction Inc., Coldwell Banker Real Estate and Dutterealty.com.

As a certified general contractor and real estate broker, he owned and operated Exclusive Structures from 1992 to 1995, and specialized in both commercial and residential construction.

He also served a term on the board of directors of the Pinellas County Contractors and Builders Association.

He is survived by his mother, Rose M. De Grasse of Sioux City; a sister, Barbara De Grasse Kirchwehm of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, Steven De Grasse of San Francisco, Calif.; nieces, Michelle Kirchwehm St. John of Schertz, Texas, Julie Kirchwehm De Loach of San Antonio, and their husbands, Donnie and Tre; a grandnephew and three grandnieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Raoul De Grasse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland or Nativity Catholic Church in Sioux City.