Richard Vandenburg

Richard Dean Vandenburg, 59, of Kalona, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, surrounded by loved ones.

Richard was born April 13, 1967, in Corydon, Iowa, the son of Dean and Susan (Henderson) Vandenburg. He attended WACO Community Schools. He married Melissa Brookhart, August 24, 1997 in Kalona.

Richard was an over-the-road truck driver with Kalonial Transport before a long battle with diabetes. He dreamed of one day getting back in his truck ‘Black Beauty’ and traveling the roads again. In recent years he has enjoyed the outdoors by mowing lawns in his local area and tinkering with broken lawnmowers. Before his illness, he also loved fishing, deer hunting, and morel mushroom hunting.

Richard is survived by his wife, Melissa Vandenburg of Kalona, Iowa; step-son, Cody Knerr of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Courtney (Drake) Munson of Rudd, Iowa; son, Alexander Vandenburg of Kalona, Iowa; son, Austin Vandenburg of Iowa City, Iowa; six granddaughters, Carissa, Athena, Scarlet, Raelynn, Rylea, and Payten; sister, Wanda White of Kalona, Iowa; sister, Kathy (Steve) Gerdes of Ainsworth, Iowa; sister, Peg Strickler of Faribault, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Tom Moeller; and his nieces and and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Dean Vandenburg; his mother, Susan Vandenburg; sister, Linda Moeller; and brothers-in-law, Lee White and Ron Strickler.

A private burial is planned for a later date. Roll on Richard, may your truck have wings with you.