Richard L. Kitchen

Kitchen, Richard L. 84, of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully at home on July 6,2016, after 16 years of living with cancer. He was born March 31, 1932 to Theron and Lelta Kitchen in Fort Wayne, IN where he grew up. Richard was united in marriage to Lucille Hubbart on July 12, 1952. After, serving in the Army during the Korean War, he finished his education at Purdue University with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked 5 years for Rocketdyne (California) and 30 years for McDonnell-Douglas (St. Louis) in the aerospace and aeronautical fields. His family, working with children, fishing, and his work were his life passions. Through the years, he taught Sunday School in the Methodist Church, was a Lifetime member of American Legion Post 202, Columbia, MO, was President of the West Valley YMCA, President of Wentzville MO Baseball/Softball League and Vice-President of the Wentzville School Board. In addition to his wife of 64 years, he was blessed with and survived by 4 children, Linda (Joe) Eccher of Springfield, MO, Richard (Susan) Kitchen, Jr., of Columbia, MO, Michael (Linda) Kitchen of O'Fallon, MO and Kathryn Kitchen of St. Peters, MO. He is survived by 9 grandchildren, Jonathan, Amanda, Katie, David, Alissa, Kimberly, Kelly, Kristen, and Kara and by 16 great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Miles, Brandon, Lauryn, Samuel, Olivia, Kaitlyn, Jordan, Domonick, Charlie, Hank, Hadley, Madelyn, Cooper, Raegan, Issak. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Eleanor Klemke (Ft. Wayne, IN) and Shirley Carman (Florence, SC) along with many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Theron, Jr. and two sisters, Donnabelle Kitchen and Audrey Fogle. Services: A Memorial Service and Burial at Bowers Cemetery will be at a later date in Ft.Wayne, Indiana In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Hulston Cancer Center of Springfield MO or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.