Richard Kassebaum Obituary

Dear Kassebaum Family:
I remember meeting Dick at K-State; and I also remember one of his friends told me his last name before he did. That was one of the beautiful things about Dick- he was very proud of his family and heritage, yet very humble and private. I feel so fortunate to have known him.
Dick took in all the world with those amazing eyes, often reserving comment. But I'd always listen for one of his quiet, dry witticisms that would leave me in stitches. I can still see that grin; I can hear his laugh and feel his enthusiasm for life. A life too short.
I share in your sorrow, and I hope your memories will bring you comfort.

Dear Linda and family,

We pray that the peace of God will comfort you in the loss of your brother Richard.

Wayne and Esther Meyers

Nancy and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Great memories are abundant from growing up with Dick and family. From the wrestling years to the painting of the pool. I feel blessed for having the opportunity, and will cherish the talks and advise you so willing shared.

Nancy and Family,
So sorry to read about Dick's passing. I know your family was special to Mom and Dad. They spoke of you often. May God be with you all!

I was so sorry to hear about Dick. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Regards, Julie

Llewellyn and Phil, I just found out about Dick's death when a paralegal in Bobby's office saw the write up in the paper. We have been in the mountains for the past six weeks or so and while we received the Post and Courier we did not always read it diligently. We were so very sorry to find out and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you both. We will see you when you return home. Bernie

Mrs. Kassebaum-Baker,
My husband & I were saddened to learn of the untimely death of your son, Richard. A couple of years ago, we began corresponding because of a mutual interest in John R. Brinkley. As a consequence, he came to visit us in our home, on a trip to Kansas. We found Richard to be a most kind, respectful and sincere person and while this was not unexpected, we felt he was certainly your son in displaying these qualities we had seen in his mother over the years as our Kansas senator. I'm sure you are very proud of your son's accomplishments in his short career and we want you to know that we are very proud as well to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and your family during this most difficult and sad time.

Dear Kassebaum Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and Dicks' friends. I have fond memories of Dick from KSU. He was a very special person.

Nancy...
My sincere thoughts are with you and the family with the loss of your son.

Phil,Nancy,John,Linda and Bill,
I wish I could hold all of you in my arms and tell you how sorry I am.I've been there and experienced the pain and as Mr Cramner said "It does not go away"
I'm not sure but hopefully Gaylen and I will be able to attend the Memorial Service.
Sincerely and with Love,Helen Goldston

I am deeply saddened to hear of Dick's passing. I have many fond memories from growing up with him. He was a lot of fun, and the world will be a darker place without his quick wit and creativity.

Dear Nancy, Phil, John, Linda and Bill
It is so amazing how time flows by without a thought and then something happens that brings us right back to earth again. I am deeply saddened by the news of Dicks passing. I can only think of that cantankerous younger brother of Johns who would always be trying to involve himself in something we were doing, which usually ended up in him crying and running back to Nancy complaining. The thought that that same little brother, so full of life and vim and viggor, has now left us is incomprehensible to me. Those idillic childhood memories of the hours spent at the Kassebaum house have lost a piece. My most heartfelt condolences to you all.

Dear Nancy and family: I have so many fond memories of working for you in the campaign office for your last term. Among the fond memories are those of meeting your wonderful family. The pain of losing a loved one never goes away but hopefully the memories of Richard will finally concentrate on happy times instead of on the loss only.

Kassebaum Family--
Please accept our prayers and condolences. I was fortunate to know Dick at K-State and have many cherished memories of Sunday morning breakfasts, smooth jazz, and a special pheasant hunt in the winter wonderland near Council Grove.

Dear Phil,
I was saddened to read of your son's passing in today's Charleston paper. Joe and I send the entire Kassebaum family our sincerest sympathy.
Warm regards, Beverly

To the Kassebaum Family,

I wish to offer my condolences in the loss of your loved one. May God forever Bless and keep you in his care. Weeping may endure for a night but Joy cometh in the morning.

Clara Hodges
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC

Your family is in our prayers during this time. God Bless your son he is in a better place.

Nancy-

My sympathy to you and your family. Dick was one of my favorite students at Maize High School.

Sincerely

Melvin White

We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry & Dianne Herman

Nancy & family
So sorry to hear about Dick's untimely death... Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. Dick was in the same grade as Sherry at Maize. thinking of you..
Jerry & Sis Gulick

there is no greater void that a loss of a child no matter how old. my prayers are with you and your family during your time of grief.

Dear Nancy: I know this is a difficult time for you and I have you in my prayers asking for God to strengten you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and I am truly sorry that you have had to lose a young and talented son.

Dick,
I think that my minibike was the impetus for you getting yours. Yours was a cool green color, bigger and faster, yet you still let me ride it. You didn’t seem to mind having the youngest Goldston hanging around your heels all the time. You always included me and teased me with that wild smile of yours. I regret we let the years get away from us, I would have enjoyed getting to know that smile again.

Nancy, John, Linda and Bill, my thoughts are with you.

--Lora

Nancy, I remember Dick as a student of mine at Maize Vermillion School and his very unusual eyes. He was so energetic and such an entertaining child. His description of his sick iguana will remain with me forever. I didn't know him as he grew to manhood, but I kept up with his accomplishments in the media throughout the years. He was the same age as my youngest and I can only imagine your grief at this time. My prayers are with you and your family. May God be with you.

Dear Nancy,
Herb and I send our deepest thoughts and sympathy at the loss of your son. This loss is beyond measure.Our youngest son is the same age so it is not hard to imagine the pain and sorrow you are experiencing. We miss corresponding with you and especially thought of you in June when we attended the Symphony in the Flint Hills. Our thoughts are with you.

Dear Kassebaum Family,
We are so saddened to hear of Dick's death. Words always escape us at times like this when someone so young passes. Know that our prayers are with you and your families during this time. The Hayford family of Maize

I was so sad to hear of Dick's untimely death. Went to high school with him and walked with him during our graduation ceremony. I remember so many fun times at the Kassebaum home. Everyone loved to go there! My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kassebaum family. May God keep you strong.

Nancy, you always made us Kansans proud. I am so sorry for your & your ex-husband's loss. No parent should have to undergo such circumstances. May God bestow you both with peace & fortitude.

Dear Kassebaum Family

Words tend to fail me at times of loss like this. Whether it is a son or husband, father, mother or sister, it is still a loss and a sadness. But there is also a poignant element to all of this. And that is that when you develop a relationship like the one you all had with Richard, that is filled with love and intimacy of friendship, then you have memories that will last your lifetime so that, he continues to leave his legacy in your heart. So many people never create the intimacy with their loved ones to have the memories that you do.

I am sorry for your loss. Please let us know when you are having the service in los angeles.

Nancy, We are vacatioing in Switzerland and read about your son on the Wichita Eagle internet site.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jo Ann and Gary Pottorff

Kassebaum Family,
Our prayers are with all of you. I met Richard at my Brother and Sister-in laws(Jesus & Teresa Garber) home during several Family get togethers. He was such a kind person. God Bless you!

Dear Nancy, I am so sorry to learn of your son's passing. Wilma Bird Sheets Smith

Dear Kassebaum Family,
We are very sorry about your loss. We thoroughly enjoyed Richard's film "Bill's Run".

To the Kassebaum family, may I offer my most sincere and endearing sympathies.

Nancy and Family,
I have so many wonderful memories of fun times with Dick. Growing up with your family and especially going to K-State with Dick will stay with me forever. He was so smart and funny and the most creative person I have ever known. I loved how he saw the world. It must have been his very "special eyes" that allowed him to see life as he did. Dick was one of the best friends I have ever had and I will forever love him.

Senator, I did not know your son. He was the same age as me. I'm a lifelong Kansan who now resides in Oregon. I voted for you way back when and was thrilled a Woman of character would finally represent our State.
I do recall reading about his successes in the film world in the Eagle and knew you must be so proud.
Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all and watch over you. Try to understand that he is in Paradise now. Perhaps it will ease your pain. He now flies with the Angels.

Our prayers are with you.
The Harvey Family

Nancy & Family, Richard was a one of a kind. Sam and I will cherish our memories of watching him grow and mature. We will smile as we remember the funny and interesting things he did. Our hearts are with you at this time.

We are thinking of you, Nancy, at this difficult time. We look forward to seeing you, hopefully soon.

Nancy
My thoughts and prays are with all of you. I understand how you feel at this time and i will be praying for you. I can not say that it will get better, I'm still having a hard time dealing with the lost of my boys.
Cranmer Grass Farm

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Dear Nancy - Many, many years ago, our children took swimming lessons together at the home of Dave and Norma McCutcheon. On occasion, we would visit while waiting for our kids. Since then, I have rejoiced at your many successes, but now I wish to express my condolences in this time of sorrow. Losing a child, whether he/she is grown or not, has to be the worst experience a mother must endure. My heart goes out to you. I am praying for strength for you and your family at this difficult time. Best regards,

My thoughts and prays are with all of you. I remember Richard (Dick) when he was a little boy in my Sunday School class at St. James Church in Wichita -- he was such a happy energetic little boy. My God bless all of you and grant you peace.

I pray your sadness will lessen with each prayer sent your way. Richard's life was well-lived and I hope your memories of him comfort you in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. You are in my thoughts.

I will keep the entire family in my prayers. I did not know Mr. Kassebaum, but if he was anything like his mother, he must have been a wonderful person.