Dick Duane Platt
Born: August 17th, 1934
Died: August 20th, 1954
Obituary
Dick Duane Platt, 20, one of Burlington’s outstanding all-around athletes, died of a skull fracture Friday while on a training cruise aboard the battleship Iowa.
Word of his death was wired to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Platt, Sr., 1217 Oak Street, Friday night. The body will be flown to Prugh’s chapel in Burlington.
A member of the local naval reserve for about two years, Platt left last Saturday for Norfolk to participate in a 2-week training cruise on the USS Iowa. He was a seaman apprentice.
Born Aug. 17, 1934, at Letts, he was the son of Ralph J and Ann Jacobs Platt. He celebrated his Birthday last Tuesday.
He graduated from Burlington College in June and was scheduled to attend Central Missouri State College at Warrensburg this fall. During the summer months, he had been working at the West Burlington shops.
Platt was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball all during his junior high and high school years. As quarterback, he led the 1951 high school team to an undefeated and untied season and the mythical state championship.
For the past two years, he was a regular on the Burlington College team.
He received many honors while in school, including the annual Sportsmanship Award given to a member of the football team.
He had been a class president and member of the student council.
At First Methodist church, he taught a Sunday school class. He was also active in Boy Scout work.
Surviving are his parents; two brothers, Donald, of Mount Pleasant, and Ralph, Jr., of West Burlington; three sisters, Mrs. Bob Boecher, Carolee, and Sue Ann, all of Burlington; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Witte of Davenport.
Services will be held Thursday at 2 pm in First Methodist church. Dr. Deane Chapman will officiate. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.