Richard Loren "Dick" Austin

Medicine Lodge- Richard "Dick" Loren Austin, passed away on August 22, 2025, at the age of 93 years, 8 months, and 14 days. He was surrounded by his loving family and died peacefully. Dick was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He was well-known for his kind, generous personality and quick wit. He made those around him feel comfortable and never knew a stranger. Dick will be remembered for his infectious smile, captivating stories, and love for family and the simple pleasures in life.

Dick was born in Quinter, Kansas, to Claude Ulrich and Carrie Liona (Deatrich) Austin on December 8, 1931. He grew up on a farm near Collyer, Kansas. One of his first jobs as a teenager was to manually set up the pins and return the gutter balls at Collyer's bowling alley. During his years at Collyer, he met his future wife, Georgia Roberta Malsam. They were a happy couple and he became part of the family. In fact, Dick knew which Sundays Georgia's mother was planning to fry chicken after mass, so he would walk into town on Saturday afternoons to help clean two or three chickens hoping that he'd be invited to Sunday dinner. Dick graduated from Collyer High School in 1949 and married the love of his life, Georgia, on December 26, 1951. They enjoyed a long-lasting marriage of over 70 years.

During their years together, Dick served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War. He later earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Education from Fort Hays State Teacher's College and his Master's degree in Administration from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva. While stationed in Fort Rucker, Alabama, their first son, Kevin, was born. After his military service, Dick worked many jobs during his career as a high school business teacher and principal. During his years of education at Hays, their first daughter, Kim, was born. After receiving his degree, Dick's first teaching job was at Clyde High School in 1957. During the eleven years there, their family grew. A second son, Kyle, and two daughters, Kerri and Kona, were born. In 1968, the family relocated to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and spent the next four years there. In 1972, Dick accepted his first job as principal at Sylvan Unified High School in Sylvan Grove, Kansas, and in 1974, the family relocated to Victoria, Kansas. In 1981, after the children were all grown, Dick and Georgia moved to South Haven where Dick retired in 1994. The couple then moved to their dream home at 99 Springs Private Resort near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and resided there for the next 30 years.

Dick was a Fort Hays State alumni, Third-Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, little league baseball coach, driver's education instructor, Peace Treaty Pageant volunteer, 99 Springs Club Board member, and was on the Township Road Committee for Barber County. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading, gardening, watching and feeding birds, playing cards with the grandchildren (although they say the rules for winning sometimes changed in his favor), watching westerns, and rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals and the University of Kansas basketball team.

He is survived by his children; daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Austin of Kansas City; daughter Kim (Gary) Keller of Pratt, Kansas; son Kyle (Cindy) of Preston, Kansas; daughter Kerri Dinkel of Basehor, Kansas; daughter Kona (Gregg) Errebo of Holcomb, Kansas; brother, Ron (Donna) Austin of Spokane Valley, Washington; and his very loved 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Georgia Austin; son, Kevin Austin; son-in-law, Rich Dinkel; brothers, Claude (Junior) Austin and Ray Dean Austin.

A rosary will be held at 10 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medicine Lodge, with Father Emmanuel Kosikumah presiding. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. Memorials may be made to Lincoln Library or Knights of Columbus, both in Medicine Lodge, and mailed to Larrison Funeral Home, 120 E. Lincoln Avenue, Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 67104.