Richard August Luehrman

1927 - 2024

Richard August Luehrman, 96 ½, received the promise of the resurrection on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

Richard was born December 10, 1927, in Lexington, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Henry and Clara (Nolting) Luehrman; beloved wife, Aileen Hulda (Heimsoth) Luehrman; brother, Edward Henry Luehrman; sister Anna Lucille (Luehrman) Price; and all his first cousins.

Richard was a 1946 graduate of Lexington High School in Lexington, Missouri. High school activities focused on art classes, baseball, and a part time job at Mattingly's for 16 2/3 cents per hour. From 1946 to 1948 he served as a Sergeant in the Army of the United States as a basic instructor at Fort Dix, New Jersey. In 1952 he graduated from Central Missouri State College with the degree Bachelor of Science in Education. He earned a Masters of Art in painting from University of Missouri in Columbia in 1956 and a PhD in Humanities from Florida State University in 1968.

In 1965, Richard and his family, including wife Aileen, and children Mick, Jane, and Jill, moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where Richard joined the Art Department of Central Missouri State College (now University of Central Missouri) as an assistant professor. He progressed through his career to full professor with recognition of Distinguished Faculty Award in 1978, Department Chair in 1979, and Byler award for outstanding faculty in 1992. Other career highlights included numerous art shows-both locally and throughout the country, and participation in the Missouri in London program in 1986.

Richard's personal life centered around his family, beloved wife Aileen, and their life of faith and service as members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg. Blessings were shared with others through service on the Board of Directors, Board of Elders, participation in the choir and Sunday School, and support of worldwide missions and local benevolence activities.

Those left to cherish Richard's memory include son Mick (Beth) Luehrman, daughter Jane (Chuck) Hillhouse, daughter Jill (Chuck) Redlinger; grandchildren Cord Luehrman, Zia Luehrman, Sandra Hillhouse (Josh) Moats, Tami Hillhouse (Daniel) Lewis, Liz Redlinger (Brad) Koch, Lauren Redlinger (Michael) O'Neill, Mick (Kate) Redlinger; great-grandchildren Abraham and Lucy Lewis, Rory and Rowan Moats, Henry and Clara Koch; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A funeral service to celebrate Richard's life on earth and welcome into heaven was held on Sunday, July 28 at 2:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 607 N. Maguire St., Warrensburg, MO 64093 with family visitation at 1:30 pm and interment in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens, 228 MO Hwy 13. A meal for the family was served by the Mary Martha Guild of Bethlehem Lutheran Church after the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Luehrman Scholarship, UCM Alumni Foundation, PO Box 800, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Benevolence Fund, 607 N. Maguire, Warrensburg, MO 64093.

Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at sweeneyphillipsholdren.com. The family is being served by Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, Warrensburg, Missouri.