Richard E. “Dick” Washburn, 83, died Friday, November 30, 2012, at Asbury Park in Newton, Kansas.
He was born November 18, 1929, in Kingman, Kansas, to George and Hazel (Antrium) Washburn. His family moved from Kingman to a dairy farm North of Newton in 1933. Dick attended Sand Creek Country School and graduated from Newton High School. He attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas. Dick was baptized into the Kingman United Methodist Church. He married his high school sweetheart Betty Kaufman at the Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2005. Dick was a dairyman and wheat farmer North of Newton. He was a charter member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church where he remained an active member serving on various committees. He also served on the Harvey County Zoning Commission. He enjoyed working outdoors, boating, cheering on the New York Yankees and driving around the fields in his pickup truck. Family was very important to Dick and he greatly looked forward to spending time with his loving family and many friends. He especially looked forward to visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dick is survived by his sons: Thomas and his wife, Jane, Patrick and his wife, Susan, both of Newton, and Matt and his wife, Lauri, of Wichita; a sister, Marie Marda and her husband, Richard of Biloxi, MS; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a daughter, Elizabeth; and infant son, Wesley; and two brothers, George and James.
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, 1200 North Boyd, Newton, Kansas, with Rev. Amy Lippoldt and Rev. Don Swender presiding. Private family burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials in Dick’s name to Trinity Heights Church Respite Care Fund or Asbury Park, both in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
