James V. Richtsmeier, a long-time member of the Ellsworth College Board of Trustees, was born July 20, 1934 in Fort Dodge to Clarence and Norma (Schafer) Richtsmeier. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1952, attended Loras College in Dubuque and graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Business. From 1954-56 Jim served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He married Patricia Parkinson on December 28, 1957 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. Patricia passed away in November 2001. Jim was active in the community as a member of the Hyman-Peavy American Legion Post No. 188, the Iowa Falls Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Ellsworth College Board of Trustees for 16 years as well as on the board of directors of both the Farmer’s Co-op Elevator and the Hardin County Cattlemen’s Association. Jim died September 24, 2002. James has four children Joe, Tom, Julie Lange and Maria Nelson and eight grandchildren.