Richard "Rich" Kliewer
(1945 to 2017)
Obituary
Richard B. "Rich" Kliewer,
71, passed away at his home in Hesston on Thursday (April 13, 2017)
after recovering from a long illness. He was born Dec. 6, 1945, to
Herman and Verna Mae (Regier) Kliewer Epp in Aurora, Nebraska.
Richard attended Aurora High School for
two years as a top and well-known athlete in football, basketball and
track. He then switched to Henderson High School, where he again was
a great athlete. In track, he broke records that still exist. He was
Homecoming King, president of his class and a baritone player in the
band. He graduated in 1964.
He was a member of the Mennonite
Brethren Church in Henderson.
Richard attended Tabor College in
Hillsboro for three years on a basketball scholarship and quit due to
a sports injury. He then moved to Halstead, where he worked as a
surgical technician for two years at the Halstead Hospital. He worked
at Mobile Oil Company and later at Hesston Corporation for 26 years.
Due to health problems, he retired at the age of 55.
In the past, he had enjoyed fishing and
camping at the Marion Reservoir and he received several Distinguished
Angler Awards from the Kansas Fish and Game Commission. He was a
championship bowler at the Halstead Bowling Alley in the 1970s. He
loved gardening, classic country music, stamp and coin collecting and
was a Nebraska Huskers fan.
He was married to Marcia A. Wilson and
had a step-son, Blaine A. Thomas. They later parted, but in the last
few years, Marcia was a caregiver to him.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; step-father Adolph Epp; and sister, Betty Penner.
He is survived by a brother, Ardean
(Jackie) Kliewer of Minnesota; nieces, Sharon Penner and Donna Penner
Cabaniss; two step-sisters, Sharon Orr and Janet Kliewer; nephew,
Clinton Kliewer; niece, Amy Nelson; two great-nieces; a great-nephew;
and many cousins.
Graveside services are private, with
burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. Pastor Dave Froese will
preside.
Memorials are suggested to Mennonite
Brethren Church in Henderson, Nebraska and sent in care of Petersen
Funeral Home.
