Richard "Tricky Dick" Dellinger

DELLINGER Richard, 58, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2008, after a three-year battle with leukemia. He was born June 3, 1950, to Eugene and Margaret Dellinger weighing a whopping 3lbs. 2 oz. He grew up in Westwood, Kan., and attended Shawnee Mission North High School. As a kid he worked every summer for his grandfather, Jim Brink at Staton Meadows Golf Course. He is survived by his mother, Margaret, sister, Barb Adams, brothers, Dennis, Gary, and Jim, son, Gene, daughter, Judy Maas, fiancee, Nancy Richards, her three children, Phil, Melissa and Ashley and 15 grandchildren. He loved the outdoors from an early age. He caught snakes and brought them home to have fun with others, like the boy with the frog, only he used snakes. He was always working in his yard and even had a mini golf green. Rich loved to hunt with the boys, especially ducks, and his favorite place was the marsh at Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area. He was also an avid fisherman who loved being out in his boat. In his younger days, he loved to fish at Mill and Bull Creeks and made trips to Roaring River with his friends Eddie and Tiger. He later found great fishing in the ponds around Kansas and took his son and daughter to Hillsdale Lake. He was devoted to his family and never forgot his Mom's birthday and had the best parties even in 100-plus heat. The croquet games were the best. He was the comedian in our family and did impressions of Donald Duck, John Wayne, and Marty Feldman to name a few. He told the funniest stories about Pops at home or at the Golf Course. Cremation with memorial service 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at First Lutheran Church, 401 E. Piankishaw, Paola, Kan. Trip to the marsh following the service. Flowers/plants or memorial donations may be sent to the church c/o Judy Maas. Arr.: Marts Memorial Services (816) 561-8181.