Ames Construction founder dies January 30, 2019, at the age of 89
Statement from Michelle Boe, JD, executive director of foundation:
“Dick Ames, who co-founded Ames Construction in 1962 with his brother Raymond “Butch” Ames, passed away Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in Scottdale, Arizona. A longtime benefactor of Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), Ames Construction contributed to the Doug Differt Difference Makers Endowment, helped support technical education, and funded athletic facilities at DCTC, including the Ames Soccer Complex and Ames Field. The campus communities are saddened by his loss and extend condolences to his family and friends.”
Obituary
White Funeral Home
Richard “Dick” John Ames
May 04, 1929 – January 30, 2019
Richard J. (Dick) Ames, born May 4, 1929, passed away on January 30, 2019, leaving an enduring impact that will echo for generations through his family, business, and community. As founder of Ames Construction, Dick was a driving force to a multitude of successful construction projects in the commercial, energy, transportation, mining, rail and water & wastewater industry sectors.
Dick was born and raised in Farmington, Minnesota, the eldest of eight children born to Chester and Ruby (Reisinger) Ames. He and his siblings worked the family farm, where they learned the value of hard work, honesty, and a commitment to “family first” that would carry through a lifetime.
Dick loved sports and excelled as a competitive athlete, playing football, basketball and track in high school. With an ambition to become a coach, Dick sought a teaching degree—the prerequisite for coaching—and enrolled at Mankato State Teachers College after his high school graduation. However, Dick left school the following year to farm with his grandfather in Taopi, Minnesota.
At the age of 22, Dick was married with two sons and his father encouraged him to find stable work outside of the family farm. Starting as a day laborer for a local highway construction company, Dick dedicated himself to the company and quickly advanced to become the owner’s right-hand man. Read more…
Learn more about the life of Dick Ames by reading:
“Dick Ames, founder of Ames Construction, backer of Burnsville and Gophers, dies at 89”
by Kristen Leigh Painter • Star Tribune • PUBLISHED: January 31, 2019
“Gophers booster Dick Ames passes away at age 89”
by Andy Greder • Pioneer Press • PUBLISHED: January 30, 2019
“Dick Ames, pillar of Jordan community, dies at 89”
by Michael Strasburg • Jordan Independent • PUBLISHED: Jan 30, 2019
You can also visit Ames Percherons to learn about the “Percheron Ambassadors of Ames Construction, Inc.”
For more information about the legacy of Dick Ames at Inver Hills and DCTC, contact:
Michelle Boe, JD
Executive Director of Foundation
651-423-8236
Top photo courtesy of Ames Construction
