Richard J. Henges, Jr.

Richard J. Henges left this Earth on July 15, 2024, from natural causes surrounded by his loving daughters. 

Dick was born to the late Anna Mae Walsh Henges and Richard J. Henges, Sr. on October 16, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri. His wife of 66 years, Joan Parsons Henges, son Richard J. Henges III, son Gerald Christopher (Marcy) Henges and grandson Clifton Troy Henges, were there to greet him in heaven. He leaves four children, Theresa Mac Henges (Charles Haddix), Victoria (Brent) Menninger, Brian Francis Henges, and Mary (Edward) Still. Dad also leaves his beloved 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, who enjoyed many fun experiences with their grandparents. 

Dick graduated Rockhurst Highschool and was an alum of the University of Colorado and the University of Missouri. 

His father, Richard Sr., brought the St. Louis-based Henges company to Kansas City. Dick joined this sub-contracting business as a salesman successfully representing 3M products. Later, as a partner with Pro-Tint, he realized his proudest accomplishment when the company was chosen to install the film on the glass of the Bloch Building that gives it its beautiful white glow. 

Joan was Dick’s high school sweetheart, the target of dozens of letters declaring his love for her. We saw Dad’s bundle of letters written while he was away in Boulder, Colorado, for college at the young age of 16. Talk about being in love! Dick had to move closer to Joanie, so he transferred to Mizzou. Then, Joan and Dick eloped in 1954. In Dad’s love letters, he came up with names for the five children he anticipated them having, but number six arrived as a bonus baby on Dick’s 26th birthday. 

Dick and Joan were grateful for the babysitting and other loving assistance from Joan’s mom, Susie, and Joan’s grandparents (Mimi and Mac), and from Dick’s parents, Richard and Tommy Henges. 

Joan and Dick had a special mission, their special needs son, Brian. Being developmentally delayed and having cerebral palsy, Brian benefitted from Joan and Dick’s efforts to do anything they could to help Brian physically and mentally. This came in the form of fighting for his education, fighting for legislation, making flashcards, agreeing to surgeries, and corralling dozens of people to participate in “patterning” sessions, where five people would move his limbs and head in rhythm to help his gross motor skills. Those efforts continued through his adulthood, going to medical appointments, driving Brian down to the Ozarks for Wonderland Camp, and the relentless wheelchair repair, until Brian’s siblings took over with their dear brother. 

Dick and Joan kept their high school friends throughout their lives, as their connection and fun together continued through stages of children and more. Dick, a lifelong Catholic, said Grace before every meal. Dick and Joan lived in four parishes, making dear friends at each stop: St Catherine of Sienna, Visitation, St. Agnes, and St. Thomas More. There are more parties than we can count that involved each of these different groups of friends. A Tom and Jerry party serving drinks by the same name. The Bad Taste Party, with the most silly array of outfits, and way too much fun! They had their Mizzou buddies who caravanned together to the football games. Chief parties, New Year’s Eve parties, birthday parties, Halloween parties, and more. Dick was also an avid tennis player and sports fan.

In Brookside, the large front porch of their colonial home was the setting for everyone in the neighborhood while the kids paraded up and down the block hitting pot lids on the 4th July. Donuts and laughter abounded. On Halloween, Joan set up a witch over a large cauldron on the balcony over the front porch. For Easter, her kids, then the grandkids, dyed eggs with her. Later that night, Dick and Joan would fill dozens of plastic eggs with coins and candy for the kids to find during the Easter egg hunt the next morning. 

Dick and Joan enjoyed visiting extended family in the Washington, D.C. area, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Victoria, Texas. Dick and Joan were able to travel in retirement. They discovered more family in Germany and explored and cruised many different parts of the world. They loved wearing their souvenir T-Shirts because they stimulated conversations about their travels. 

Dick really enjoyed living at Lakeview Village, especially because he never had to climb a ladder again. Living first in their independent apartment and dining with their new Lakeview friends, and later, in Assisted Living. Dick took advantage of the saltwater pool, with Mary’s constancy in getting him to the pool and providing rocking music to stimulate their exercises while joining Dad and his therapist in the pool for encouragement. Lakeview provided wonderful therapists who Dad enjoyed and appreciated. One of the best benefits had been their physicians on the campus, so giving of their time, knowledge, expertise, good humor, and kindness. 

Dick’s celebration of life will be held at Muehlebach Funeral Care, 6800 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64131 on September 17th, 2024, between 5-7 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Life Unlimited in recognition of the great care they give Brian Henges. Life Unlimited, 320 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO 64116.