Richard W. Motz,  86, of Rock Island, died Jan. 7, 2016, at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island.

A celebration of Mr. Motz's life will be held on Saturday, April 16 at Two Rivers United Methodist Church, 1820-5th Avenue, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 9-10:00 a.m., with the memorial service to follow at 10:00.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.   The body has been donated to the Department of Anatomy at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to the Development Association of Rock Island "DARI", United Way of the Quad Cities Area, or to Two Rivers United Methodist Church, Rock Island.

Mr. Motz was born in Rock Island on Dec. 6, 1929 and was educated in the Rock Island Public Schools. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern University School of Business, and also attended Naval Officer's Candidate School.

He was the son of Rock Island dentist Charles W. Motz and Marjorie Walker Motz. In 1952, he married Ruth Marie Sloan, who had grown up in Sioux City, Iowa, and later taught school in Brooklyn and Davenport, Iowa. They preceded him in death, as did a mentally handicapped son, Steven, who died at the age of 25.

Surviving is their daughter, Nancy (Steve) Horrell, who retired after having taught for more than three decades for the Highland (Illinois) School District. They have two grown children, Daniel and Katie Horrell, and two grandchildren, Bentley and Hensley Horrell. His brother, Robert W. Motz, resides in Rock Island with his wife, Katie Steinke.

The Motzes spent their lives in Rock Island except for several years when they lived on the island of Guam, and at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during the Korean Conflict.

Richard Motz spent his entire working career in the real estate and insurance business. He joined the business in 1951 with his uncle, Ray Walker. The firm, founded by Motz's grandfather Walker in 1902, later changed its name to Oakwood Realty.

Mr. Motz co-developed a subdivision and built several residential houses that he designed for sale. He later found his niche in office buildings, starting with the Safety Building in 1965, and the Cleveland Building (now the Plaza Office Building) in 1975. Since this was at a time when the downtown area was in decline, citizens credit him with being a key player in the eventual revitalization of downtown Rock Island and the preservation of historic buildings.

His leadership roles included serving as president or chairman of the Rock Island Association of Insurance Agents, Rock Island Board of Realtors, Board of Trustees and Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church (now Two Rivers United Methodist Church), Rock Island Downtown Council, Downtown 2000 Steering Committee, Rock Island Community Chest, and United Way of Rock Island County. He played a key role in the merging of the United Ways on the Illinois side of the river and then on both sides. He was one of the founders of the Development Association of Rock Island (DARI).

Honors bestowed on him include being the first to receive the Rock Island awards as Realtor of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and the traveling trophy for The Most Faithful to his Community. He was a recipient of the Rotary Club's award for Distinguished Community Service.

He was an avid boater on his own boats and in traveling on commercial boats throughout the U.S., Canada, and European waterways. His death ensures the inception of a trust created by Mr. and Mrs. Motz to provide annual support to his survivors, his church, and his community.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.