- Date Of Birth: May 24, 1937
- Date Of Death: November 14, 2021
- State: Iowa
Joseph Stephen Brick (“Joe”) of Naples, FL, and Clive, IA, passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at the age of 84.
Joe was born May 24, 1937, to Walter and Mary (Carroll) Brick in Des Moines, IA. He attended Visitation Catholic Grade School and graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 1955. Joe received his undergraduate degree in 1959 from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA where he served as senior class president. He earned his law degree in 1962, attending both the University of Iowa Law School and Drake University Law School. On November 27, 1965, Joe married Janet Triplett and they were blessed with 46 years of marriage before Janet’s passing in 2011.
Early in his legal career, Joe served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Iowa in the Tort Claims Division. In January of 1967, he was a founding partner in the Des Moines law firm, Scalise, Scism, Gentry & Brick, which is now the West Des Moines law firm known as Brick Gentry, P.C. Joe’s practice centered on business transactions with an emphasis in healthcare. For over 50 years, Joe provided his clients with insightful, common-sense approaches to resolving their issues and achieving positive outcomes. In addition to being a legal advisor to his clients, he distinguished himself as a counselor, a mentor, a strategist, a problem-solver, an innovator, and a friend. He was the archetype of a true gentleman. He was gracious in all things, and genuinely so.
Joe served the Greater Des Moines community as Mayor of the City of Urbandale, IA (1970 to 1974) and as a board member for various local non-profit organizations including the Dowling Catholic High School Foundation, the Des Moines Performing Arts, and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. He was also a business advocate serving on the Board of Directors of Bank of America and on the National Policy Council for New England Financial Company. In 1995, Joe was appointed and served for a term as Iowa’s Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed networking and was a co-founder of the Associates’ Breakfast Club of which he was a member for over 50 years. Joe was recognized by the Des Moines Business Record as a “Sages Over 70” honoree in 2016.
Joe was a beloved patriarch not only to his immediate family but also to his large extended family. He was privileged to practice law for many years with 2 brothers, 2 children, 2 nephews, and his son-in-law among the members of his firm. He especially relished his role as “Papa Joe” to his 10 grandchildren of whom he was very proud. Joe treasured his time in Florida with family and friends.
Joe is survived by his children, Stephanie (Paul) Drey of Clive, IA, Michael (Sally) Brick of Singapore, David (Grace) Brick of Urbandale, IA, and Molly (Patrick) Franke of Barrington, RI; grandchildren, Joseph and Jack Drey, Finnian, Lucy, and Keating Brick, Genevieve and Elizabeth Brick, Thomas, Nolan, and Graham Franke; siblings, Mary Ellen McMahon-Lake, Patrick (Kathie) Brick, James (Gail Sullivan) Brick; John Brick, and Ann Marie (Dennis Johnson) Brick; many nieces and nephews; and his dear companion, Wanda Malone. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary, and his wife, Janet.
