Richard Sander LevittDes MoinesRichard S. Levitt, 87, of Des Moines, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017. A third generation Iowan, Richard was born on May 8, 1930, in Des Moines, to Ellis and Nelle Levitt. He was devoted to his family, led his family company to national prominence, and served his community with wisdom and distinction.Richard graduated from the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Jeanne Strauss. He received a bachelor's degree in 1952 and his juris doctor degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1954. Upon graduation, he became Assistant General Counsel of Dial Finance, the company founded by his grandfather, Jacob Levitt. He served in a variety of roles at Dial, becoming Chairman and CEO of the company in 1981. When Dial Financial merged with Norwest Corp. in 1983, he moved to Minneapolis to become Vice Chairman of Norwest, retiring from that position in 1987. During his tenure at Norwest, he was responsible for relocating Norwest's home mortgage operations (now Wells Fargo) to Des Moines. In 2008, with Richard Barrent, he founded The Barrent Group, a Des Moines-based firm. From 1982 until the time of his death, he remained active in Nellis Management Company and Nellis Corporation, his family's private investment firms. Richard also served on numerous community and national Boards, among which were the University of Iowa Foundation (Chairman), the Iowa Law School Foundation, The Israel Project, The Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Tifereth Israel Synagogue (President), the Greater Des Moines Committee (President), the Des Moines Civic Center, the Des Moines Center of Science and Industry Foundation (Treasurer), Meredith Corporation, Stoner Communications, and Raven Industries. He also endowed the Richard Levitt Family Law Lectureship Fund in 1997 at the University of Iowa College of Law. Together with his wife, Jeanne, he provided leadership funding for the Richard S. and Jeanne S. Levitt Center for University Advancement at the University of Iowa. Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni award from the University of Iowa Alumni Association, Richard was also inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame and was, along with his wife, Jeanne, and sister, Madelyn Levitt, honored with a Bravo Greater Des Moines award.Richard was proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jeanne (Strauss) Levitt, Randall (Johanna Chanin), Mark (Kay Klass), Beth Tross (Nathan), and Jay (Jennifer). He had eight grandchildren, Rachel Federowicz (Peter), Elliot Levitt, Rebecca Levitt, Max Levitt, Joel Levitt, Adam Tross, Brian Tross and Gabrielle Levitt, and two great-grandchildren, David and Lila Federowicz.Funeral services will be held at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 924 Polk Boulevard, Des Moines, on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Jewish Glendale Cemetery immediately following the service.