Richard O. Stineman
July 4, 2020
Richard “Dick” Oliver Stineman, 82,
of Newton, Kansas, died on July 4, 2020, at Ascension Via Christi St.
Francis Hospital, Wichita, KS.
Dick was born at Axtell Christian
Hospital in Newton on December 20, 1937, to Oliver and Lavera
Stineman. The family moved briefly to Davenport, IA, to live among
many cousins, aunts, and uncles, then returned to Newton; these early
years set the stage for a rich and full life, deeply rooted in
family, faith, and fun. As the firstborn, Dick was an older brother
to John Stineman (Pratt), Gordon Stineman (Newton), and Jane Stineman
(who died in Phoenix, AZ, in 1980). Dick navigated the older brother
role with an inner sense of responsibility and a true appreciation
for the bold, energetic, and diverse personalities of his siblings –
a role that would serve him well in later life as a father, manager,
and community leader.
Dick graduated from Newton High School
in the class of 1956, a stand-out on the Railroader’s baseball
team. He loved his car but learned it could be taken away if he were
caught with soda bottles and peanut shells covering the floorboards.
His senior year, he started working at Dillon’s, beginning what
would become nearly 20 years of work for the family-owned grocer.
With his high school diploma in hand, Dick moved to Pratt where he
pursued his love of baseball by playing for a semi-pro league while
working at the Dillon’s store there. A few years later, Dick was
thrilled for the opportunity to showcase his abilities for a tryout
for the Pittsburgh Pirates, an experience he never forgot.
While playing ball, Dick started dating
the love of his life, Margaret “Anne” Hall, and they were married
on July 19, 1959 at First Christian Church in Newton. They quickly
set their minds to creating the family that would be the center of
their lives for the next decades.
Dick progressed up the ladder at
Dillons in Newton and In 1971, he transferred to Salina where he was
on the management team of the new Dillon’s Family Center. After a
few years, he left Dillon’s to apply his management skills to
lumber and hardware, at the family-owned Morrison’s Building
Supply. Years later when it was acquired by Payless Cashways, Dick
accepted a transfer to Altoona, IA. In 1987, the opportunity came for
him to move back home to be near aging parents and manage the Payless
Cashways in Wichita, and soon after, he managed the AAA Builders
Supply in Newton for many years. Before retiring, Dick sold trusses
for several years for Wheeler out of Waverly, Kansas.
Even in retirement, Dick continued to
work, just like his father before him. He travelled across the state
as a crop adjuster for Great American Insurance, fishing pole
alongside him, with the company of his prized Brittany, Babe.
Throughout his life, Dick worked at his regular job during the day,
then took on extra work in evenings and on weekends, both to make
ends meet and to help people who needed an honest, helping hand to
make affordable improvements to their homes.
Dick did not regard life as a spectator
sport; he came to play – whether playing slow pitch beyond his
body’s prime years or testing his skills in the local rodeo (in his
brand-new white jeans, for which Anne forgave him, but never forgot).
Ever the civic-minded man, he and Anne were members (and both
eventually elected presidents) of their local chapters of the Jaycees
(Junior Chambers of Commerce) and Jaycee Janes. Dick was also a
member of the Toastmasters Club and became one of the local chapter’s
most decorated speakers, with numerous trophies that filled the
family bookcase. To bolster his work life, Dick took the full
complement of the Dale Carnegie course – an executive management
and leadership training course – eventually becoming one of its
most sought-after instructors, inspiring a whole generation of
leaders and managers.
He served for many years and in various
leadership roles on the Board of Directors at the Belmont Boulevard
Christian Church in Salina, the church home of the family, where many
of Dick and Anne’s closest friendships would be forged. He was a
Deacon, an Elder, and often filled in for the minister in the pulpit,
drawing upon his many years of study and certification through the
Menninger Bible Study. He and Anne both completed a course for lay
ministers through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in
Kansas and represented their church at numerous retreats, regional,
state, and national conferences.
Few things gave Dick more pleasure than
the sport of hunting and being with and around his numerous buddies
who shared his love of the hunt. Yet, as with most things, hunting
was not the extent of his involvement. For many years, Dick taught
certified hunters’ safety courses for hundreds of youth and
required it of each of his children. He raised quail in home-made
pens for later release in the wild, ensuring healthful populations
and responsible sportsmanship. When a chick was born blind, he would
bring it to the safety course training to have each participant hold
it in his or her hand, reminding these future hunters of the
responsibility they have for valuing the life they take. He was proud
of the many dozens of Brittany spaniels he raised, trained, and who
became much adored members of the family.
Dick, also known as ‘Ace,’ was the
best of the players at his 3-times-a-week poker game. Artistic in
painting, hand-lettering, home design, and wood carving, Dick was
also a cowboy poet, spirited writer, and was often (happily) mistaken
for Dr. ‘Red’ Duke. Every Christmas, he would read something he
wrote to the gathered family, cleverly weaving in their names and
experiences, making each feel personally valued and loved.
Dick became reacquainted with a grade
school friend, Doris Joan Hessler, formerly of Newton, then living in
Albuquerque, NM. Their love blossomed, and they married on July 12,
2013. Joan continues to live at the home in Newton.
Surviving to honor Dick and Anne are
their five children: Lori Stineman of Colorado Springs, CO; R.M.
‘Mike’ Stineman (Purna Rodman Conare) of Jersey City, NJ; Liz
Anstine (Barry) of Overland Park, KS; Lyndi Salas (Ray) of Newton,
KS; and Matthew Stineman (Brandie Beaman) of Mclain, KS. With his
marriage to Joan, Dick also had three stepchildren: Debra Cannon
(Brian) of Corrales, NM; Janell Martinez (Dan) of Placitas, NM; and
Kevin Bradshaw (Albuquerque, NM, died in 2018). Dick had 13
grandchildren William Mills and Amanda Oneal (Newton), Adam Anstine
(Overland Park), Suzanne Mills and Kayson Matthews (Shawnee), Dalton
Stineman and Andi Sayers (Newton), Alison and Brandon Reigel
(Houston, TX), Cody Stineman (Newton); Anna Anstine (Overland Park);
Julius Salas (Newton), Tyler Hutto (Newton) Melissa and Nathan
Sanchez (Albuquerque, NM), Katie Giesler and Tyler Holmes (Hatch,
NM), Lauren and Josh Horner (Brighton, CO), and Collin Cannon
(Denver, CO); 8 great-grandchildren, and many other family members
and dear friends.
Visitation will be at Petersen Funeral
Home, Newton, Kansas on Thursday, July 9th from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00
p.m., with family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. An online (Zoom)
service will be held at the First Christian Church in Newton, Friday
July 10th at 10:30 a.m. Face masks and social distancing are
required.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9929548770?pwd=STVYTHA3akZSQzFwbjQxcFBkVnE5dz09
Memorial contributions can be made to
the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Newton, or to the
Caring Hands Humane Society of Newton. Memorial contributions can be
sent directly to the funeral home.
