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Richard King Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard King
Charlton Price
August 31, 2006
These many Guest Book entries only suggest the scope of Dick's full and useful life -- a source of strength for family and friends, for his professional colleagues, and for our community. His striving for more honest, more competent political and governmental leadership were what many of us admired most about him.
Graham Houston
August 30, 2006
I met Dick on two occasions in the past year, once at a Habitat for Humanity Kansas City open house and once while touring the King Hershey offices during a visit with an attorney who served on our board. Awed by his legendary commitment to civic engagement, I was most impressed with his kindness to me and genuine support for one of his own who also was serving our community. I barely knew him but in those brief moments I saw what a wonderful gift he was to our city.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the King Hershey family as well. May God's gentle hand rest upon your hearts and give you comfort this day and the days to come.
Tom Patten
August 29, 2006
Too many good times to remember them all. Deepest sympathy to all of the family--Dick's friends miss him too.
Earl Keen
August 28, 2006
A Great loss to all the local governments that used Dick's expertise on TIF endeavors.
Pat Smithson
August 28, 2006
Dear King Family,
My heart goes out to each of you. Words can't express the sadness I felt when I read the news of Dicks passing. He was a man that made a tremendous mark on the city and his effots will live on as will his love for each of you.
Shelly Eubanks Wright
August 28, 2006
Suzanne, Mary and Allen:
My heart pains for your loss and prayers of peace and comfort are with you all. I remember many a great laughs and good times due to our parents friendship. God bless his legacy he has left.
Dr. Paul R. Ahr
August 28, 2006
I met Dick King while I was Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health (1979-1986). As a carry-over appointee from the Teasdale to the (second) Bond Administrations in Jefferson City, I valued Dick's straight-forward manner as Governor Bond's Chief of Staff. While we each moved in different directions, I always counted Dick King as a brilliant and wonderful friend, and I will miss him.
Deborah Haber
August 27, 2006
DeeDee, I was so sorry to hear about your loss. I am thinking about you.
Stephen Crystal
August 27, 2006
When I moved to Kansas City in 1992 to take my first job as a newly licensed lawyer and to begin my life with my new wife Pam, it was Dick who was there to offer me my first job and it was dick and deedee who would be a surrogate family to pam and I who knew next to nobody in kansas city. Dick would go on to have a profoundly positive impact on my training as a young attorney and on my growth as a young man and husband. Dick and deedee together would serve as a model to pam and i of a couple dedicated to each other and to perserverance. While i lost touch with dick (and deedee and family) over the last several years as we relocated to washington dc, his sad passing reminded me of having spent some of the most important years of our lives in the presence of someone who was truly unique and gifted in so many ways. I would have wanted to tell dick that in person but i will share that with deedee and his family who will cherish his memory. Very few get the opportunity to make an impact on others and their community the way dick did and i pray that the enormous contribution he made will be some comfort to his loving family as they grieve his loss. i will miss him.
Greg Cecil
August 27, 2006
Suzanne, Allen, and Mary my condolences to you. I know you don't remember me but I worked on your father's congressional campaign and he and I traveled many miles on Missouri's back roads in the 4th district. Dick worked to make a difference and he made things better. He was so proud of you and he loved being a grandparent. He was a good guy and I will miss him so much.
John B. and Nadine Pace
August 26, 2006
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Lisa Tepen
August 26, 2006
Mary, Suzanne, Allen and the entire King family...I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My deepest condolences go out to you.
Lance and Amy Hale
August 26, 2006
To the King family,
Our deepest sympathies on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this hour and in the coming weeks.
Michelle Korczynski
August 26, 2006
To the King family,
We are so sorry for your great loss. Our thoughts are with you all.
Jaronda Little
August 25, 2006
To the entire King family, words cannot express my sorrow for the loss of such a beloved and honorable man as Dick King. You have so much to be proud of in terms of the legacy he leaves and the impact his life had on so many others. Please know how much we all admired him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort.
Karen and Jim Watts
August 25, 2006
DeeDee and Family,
We are sorry for your loss.
Karen and Jim Watts
Jim McAlpin
August 25, 2006
DeeDee,
Since 1995, when I worked with Dick (and you) on the Truman Library/AMC 20 grand opening fund-raiser, I have followed his activities and noticed his name in the news, connected with multiple worthwhile TIF and other important projects. I was always proud to say, "I knew and worked with that gentleman." As others have said here, he was larger than life, and will be greatly missed by his friends and acquaintances with utmost respect.
Thomas Jones
August 25, 2006
Our prayers our with the King family. You were there years ago for my family.
Tamara & Derek Jones-Dunn, Tom & Gerri Jones, and sisters Pam & Family and Carmen & Family
Pat Campbell
August 25, 2006
Dick was a someone I admired and learned from. Dick was a key member on the Board of directors at Chrisman Sawyer Bank. Without Dicks encouragement and help, we would have still been fighting the FDIC. I was the Chariman of the Indep TIF Commission and worked very closely with Dick on several key TIF projects. Also worked with Dick during my tenure on the Indep Planning and Zoning commission.
I will truly miss this special friend. I will always remember his friendship, he will be missed by all. It was truly a pleasure to have known Dick.
H W (Bud) GODFREY
August 25, 2006
I've had the great pleasure of working with Dick over the past 2 years on the Simon Square Project in Bolivar, MO. Simon Square would have never been a reality without his leadership and hard work.
Gooch & Sue Denice
August 25, 2006
Mary, Suzanne, Allen & DeeDee - A truly wonderful man - he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Anything you need, at anytime - do not hesitate to ask. Our condolences- Gooch, Sue and Dominic
Karen Medhi
August 25, 2006
DeeDee and the King family,
I am keeping you in my thoughts through this difficult time. I have been lucky enough to have worked with Dick on numerous occasions at All Souls. I have always had the utmost respect and regard for him. He has always been there for me when I needed advise. We will miss him terribly and I feel priviledged to have known him.
Bridget Guth
August 25, 2006
My heartfelt condolences to the King family and the King Hershey family. Dick was such a great mentor to many young lawyers. I am honored to have learned from one of the best. Always a true advocate, the Kansas City region has lost one of its strongest supporters. Dick will be greatly missed. But his larger than life personality, all of the lives that were benefited by knowing him and all of the cityscapes that he has molded, will long be evidence of his well-lived life.
Phelps Murdock
August 25, 2006
DeeDee...I will miss seeing Richard around. He was part of my world since 1961 when I met him at Missouri Boys State. As chairman of the opposing party, which won all the state positions except one, I was very impressed with this fellow that waltzed into the governorship virtually by his own wit. He was unbeatable. And whatever he did, up or down, he was a pretty 'unbeatable' fellow. With hopes of seeing you around KC and best regards to you and your family...
Brett Shirk
August 25, 2006
Deedee and the King family,
On behalf of myself, the staff, and the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri, I wish to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to you in this difficult time. Dick was a great man and a leader who understood the true meaning of civic responsibility. He will be missed.
John Killip
August 25, 2006
Dick was a great friend to every community that he touched. His concern for others and entrepreneurial spirit will be missed in the public area as deeply as by his family and friends.
I personally value the interactions that I have shared with Dick and DeeDee.
Nash & Franciskato Law Firm
August 25, 2006
Our condolences to the King family. You are in our prayers.
Ron Mersch
August 25, 2006
I was fortunate enough to become aquainted with Dick at one of the many conferences where he tried to get as many of us "municipal officials" to underand all the financial options we had to help our cities. He was a gentle and understanding teacher. I have recently had the true pleasure of working with he and his team on a TIF project here in Bolivar, MO. Even though we had a tremendous amount of trouble with our County officials Dick held tough while also trying every option to gain the acceptance of the County. We are now moving ahead on a project that will transform our community.
We have all lost a true gentleman, professional and visionary. I extend my sympathy to the family, friends and coworkers of Mr. King.
Retta Hendricks Backus
August 25, 2006
DeeDee and family.
I'm glad you have each other to get through this sad time. You're a really cool family.My thoughts are with you.
Alan Hainkel
August 25, 2006
I met Dick during Howard Dean's campaign for president and also attended a fundraiser for Nancy Farmer at his home. He and DeeDee were incredibly gracious and my heartfelt condolences go out to her and her family at this time. You will be in my prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.
Lynette Wall
August 25, 2006
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. King was obviously a wonderful man. God bless and be with you all in this time of such deep sorrow. May you find comfort in His loving arms.
Charles Renner
August 25, 2006
Deedee, Mary, Suzanne, Allen, the entire family and all at King Hershey - Dick was a wonderful mentor and a kind and blessed man. The thoughts and prayers of many are with you all.
Peggy M. Petersen
August 24, 2006
DeeDee and family - There are no words to truly express the sadness that will be felt by everyone who's life has ever been touched by Dick's gifted presence. Please know that others support you in spirit and prayer in your sorrow. May God console you in your grief and comfort you daily. A former employee of ten years -
J. Michael Hayes
August 24, 2006
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dick's passing. Dick was president of our Beta Theta Pi pledge class at MU in 1962, and we roomed together as Sophomores. Although I had not seen him in nearly 40 years, Dick wrote me a very kind note on the occasion of my marriage to an old friend two years ago. I deeply regret not having had the chance to see him again. My sincere sympathies go out to his family.
Berniece Clothier
August 24, 2006
My heartfeld sympathy goes out to
the King family. I knew Richard King when he was running for office
and a group of the ladies from
Raymore, Mo. gave him a "coffee". He
talked to us about Social Security
at that time. It was in the early
70's.
Lynn Badura
August 24, 2006
Deedee, Mary, Suzanne & family:
While I didn't know Dick well, I know how much you all loved him. My deepest sympathy to all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
God bless,
Lynn Badura
Debbie Grabb
August 24, 2006
I worked for Dick in the late 70's. I enjoyed working for him and had a lot of respect for him. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Diane & Paul Edwards
August 24, 2006
Suzanne, Allen, Mary, Deedee, Susan & family
Dick was an awesome person and someone I deeply admired especially as I was growing up. I have many fond memories including his stay with us during a summer internship in Washington, DC and my visit to Germany when he was stationed there. Plus, he was a stalwart of the King & Donelson legacy. He was loved and he will always be a part of all the Donelson and King families.
Pat & Carrie Raney
August 24, 2006
Suzanne and Family, We are so sorry for your lost. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Please let us know if we can do anything. We love you.
Pam Crystal
August 24, 2006
To Deedee and Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve and I were deeply saddened to learn of Dick's death. You both were such a significant presence in our lives when we relocated to KC and were newly married. We will always appreciate how you welcomed us to the city. Dick was a wonderful mentor to Steve, and we both had the utmost respect and admiration for him. We know he will be greatly missed.
Rich and Sandra McLeod
August 24, 2006
I knew Dick first as a public figure, then as a relative, and last, oddly, as an adversary in a legal matter. It was that last relationship that cemented my image of this good man, good lawyer, and good citizen. Even though I was his friend and relative, his advocacy on behalf of his client (and against mine) was - well, words fail me - how about "passionate"? Or perhaps, "powerful"? Anyway, Dick was a force - beforehand I'd only seen the velvet glove; the iron fist was quite impressive.
Like all who knew Dick, my wife Sandra and I will miss him. But he'll be remembered more with a wistful smile and fond thoughts than with any hint of sadness.
Dick King will forever be a credit to his family, his profession, and his community.
Cathy Daniels
August 24, 2006
Suzanne, Allen and Mary, and DeeDee too: We have been blessed to know Dick and call him family for these past 8 years. His courage has been an example to us, and we will miss him.
Love
Cathy and Garry
Bob Mayer
August 24, 2006
DeeDee and Family,
Sandy and I send our sympathies to you regards Dick's passing on.
Through the years in KC civic and economic development circles, I admired Dick's sharp mind and ability to craft solutions on difficult development deals.
He will be missed.
David Taylor
August 24, 2006
Although I didn't know Dick personally I will always appreciate his presence and words at my sister's funeral. He was obviously a very caring person. My deepest sympathies to all his family.
Nadine Boon
August 24, 2006
My sincere sympathy and prayers go out to Dick's Family. I knew him as a professional and a gentleman on the Missouri Economic Development Finance Association Board. He was knowledgeable, fair and dedicated.
Robin Rusconi
August 24, 2006
DeeDee, Mary, Suzanne and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Know that you all are in our thoughts & prayers.
Robin, Jae, Liam, Connell & Maggie
Pam Eglinski
August 24, 2006
DeeDee,
My prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Dick had many friends, and he will be missed by every one of them -- but you will miss him most of all. Please call on me if I can lend support to you or your family. -- pam
Karen Salsbury
August 24, 2006
A wonderful, legendary man with vision for Kansas City's future. His spirit and wisdom will be deeply missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
Phillis Durkin
August 24, 2006
Clara, My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Phillis
Eric, Jamie & Nicholas Hays
August 24, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. Please let us know if we can be of any help now or in the future.
Brian McCallister
August 24, 2006
To Deedee and family:
What a great mentor and friend Dick has been to me over the years. As a partner in the firm of Wirken and King, Dick and his partner, Jim Wirken, gave me my first job as a lawyer. He never lost interest in my career and was always asking about my family. I'll miss him.
Donna Wilson Peters
August 24, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the King Hershey firm during this time of sorrow.
Dan & Marisa Quinlivan
August 24, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tom O'Donnell
August 24, 2006
My condolensces to the family. I remember Dick well and fondly.
Tom Wyrsch
August 24, 2006
Dick King was one of a kind. I had chances to work with and around him and can say he was a gentleman and friend. My thoughts and prayers go to his family at this time.
Charles & Judy Qualkinbush
August 24, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dale McCullough
August 24, 2006
With Deepest Sympathy, we lost a wonderful friend. God Bless
William Snyder
August 24, 2006
A great lawyer, a true friend and a man of respect.
Kathy Fanning
August 24, 2006
DeeDee and family,
It has been a pleasure working for him these years. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies.
God's Love,
Sandra Thrower
August 24, 2006
I've worked as Mr. Kings Receptionist at King Hershey Law Firm for 15yrs. and I know I'm really gonna miss him. My prayers are with the Family.
August 24, 2006
Josh, Kate, and Luke Allen
Roland Schach
August 24, 2006
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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