Richard C. Jensen Jr.

1934 - 2022

Richard C Jensen, Jr.
September 28, 1934 - July 8, 2022
Prairie Village, Kansas - Richard Charles Jensen, Jr, 87, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2022, with his wife Linda by his side. Dick was born on Sept. 28, 1934 to Judge Richard Charles Jensen, Sr and Elisabeth "Betty" Short Jensen in Kansas City, Mo. He grew up in Kansas City with his brother Burt and attended J.C Nichols Grade School, Southwest High School and the University of Missouri in Columbia. Athletics and family were the center of his life. He was a dedicated athlete starting in his early days playing baseball and basketball, including being the 1954 Batting Champion for Katz-Ban Johnson League. While at the University of Missouri, Dick played varsity basketball and baseball while also serving as president of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelors Degree in marketing.
Shortly after graduation, he married the love of his life, Linda Ann Kassebaum, and they would begin a nearly 66 year marriage filled with love, family, friends and adventures. They moved to Ft. Sill, OK where he served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Artillery and daughter Jan was born. After the service, he began his career with Armco Steel in Tulsa, OK and son Rick was born. Armco sent them to Chicago, IL, where they lived for 7 years in the Arlington Heights area and son Dan was born. In 1967 they moved back to Kansas City settling in Prairie Village, KS. It was in Kansas City where Dick established a 36 year career as a financial advisor for the same company, one that changed names multiple times; H.O. Peet, Kidder Peabody, Paine Webber, where he served as Senior Vice President and member of the President's Council; and UBS Inc. He was a 56-year charter member of St. John's Methodist Church, where he served as chair of the board of stewards and the building committee. He loved attending and coaching his children in their various sports. He served as president of the Shawnee Mission East Booster Club. Dick was an active supporter of the groups he was involved in; the University of Missouri's Business School Davenport Society, Jefferson Club, and Scholarship Fund; Kingswood Manor, where he served on the Board of Directors for many years. Dick was an Eagle Scout and provided on-going support to the Boy Scouts. He served as Co-Chairman of the Patrons Committee for the Watson Children's Mercy Golf Classic.
An avid golfer, Dick enjoyed the friendships and rounds of golf played at his club, Kansas City Country Club. Upon retirement, Dick and Linda enjoyed Tonto Verde, Arizona where they built a home and spent 22 happy winters with family and friends. One of the highlights of Dick's life was the incredible family vacations he and Linda planned for their children and grandchildren every two years for a total of 18 years. These adventures created lasting memories and cherished relationships that we hold close in our hearts.
Dick leaves an incredible legacy of many lifelong friends but most importantly, a large and loving family that includes, wife Linda; 3 children, Janice Jensen Howard (Steve); Richard (Rick) Charles Jensen, III (Wendy); Daniel Burton Jensen (Shelle); 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; his brother Burt (Sally) Jensen, of Arlington Heights, IL; his sister-in-law Nancy Kassebaum Baker, of Burdick, KS. Dick's dog Peaches was a constant, loving companion throughout his life. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother-in-law Philip Kassebaum.
A memorial service will be held on Wed. July 27th at 3 pm at St John's Methodist Church, 6900 Ward Parkway, KC, Mo 64113. The family would like to thank the North and South nurses stations at Claridge Court Health Center and Interim Healthcare Hospice for their endless support and help. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 3846 W. 75th St. Prairie Village, Kansas 66208. Signature Funerals, 816-214-5174.