In Memory Of
Dr. E. Shermoen
1930
2020
Dr. E. Shermoen
November 26, 1930 — April 13, 2020
Richard E. "Dick" Shermoen, 89, of Topeka, passed away, April 13, 2020.
Dr. Shermoen retired in 1993 as Chairman of the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Information Science Department after serving Washburn University for 26 years. In retirement he volunteered for AARP Tax-Aide for 25 years and was an active member of Lowman United Methodist Church. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and especially loved hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Hanks, three children, Richard (Lorraine) of Wamego, James (Lisa) Shermoen and Margaret (Michael) Walter of Topeka, nine grandchildren: Jessica (Brian) Valdivia, Matthew (Cheryl) Shermoen, Christopher (Hallie) Shermoen, Amanda Walter, Chelsea Walter, Devin (Mallory Appelhanz) Walter, Bridget (Kahle) Loveless, Andrew (Erika) Shermoen and Maggie Shermoen and eight great-grandchildren: Jacoby, Joaquin, Gus and Juliet Valdivia and Adelaide, Jonathan and Vivienne Shermoen, Elliott Loveless and one on the way.
Richard was born in Fargo, ND and lived in Moorhead & Dilworth, MN for most of his formative years. He had one brother, Jerry, and two sisters, Jeannine and Margaret Jane, all of whom preceded him in death. During high school and college he worked at the Dilworth Yard of the Northern Pacific Railroad doing track repair and working in the ice house. Dick graduated from Dilworth High School as Salutatorian in 1948. He was an active Boy Scout and earned the rank of Life Scout in 1948. As a young scout he attended Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. Dick was an avid hunter, which he began at an early age. While in North Dakota, he would hunt duck, pheasant and deer every chance he had. He served in the US Navy for one year during their limited enlistment program. He attended North Dakota Agricultural College, later North Dakota State University, "Home of the Bison". Dick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1953. After teaching high school mathematics for two years in Harvey, ND, he moved to Hart, MI and taught high school math. He met his soulmate, Nancy Lee Hanks, and they were married June 17, 1956.
They moved to Fargo, ND so he could pursue his Masters degree, while teaching full time. He completed his Master of Science Degree in 1958. Their two sons, Rich and Jim, were born during this time. Dick had an opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts Degree under a National Science Foundation Grant at the University of Illinois, and he and his family moved to Urbana, IL for one year while he attended the University. They then moved to Albuquerque, NM where he began work on his Doctorate while teaching full time. While in Albuquerque, the stars aligned and Margaret Marie 'Margy' was born. He was fortunate to receive another grant from the National Science Foundation to finish his Doctorate of Education degree at Oklahoma State University in 1963.
Dick, Nancy and the kids then moved back to Fargo, ND where he taught college mathematics for about three and a half years. In the Fall of 1967, he was hired as Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Washburn University, Topeka, KS.
During his tenure of 26 years at Washburn, Dick served on many university committees including a term as Chair of the Science Division of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was a member of the Faculty Senate for numerous years. He was an advocate for the Mathematics Department and was instrumental in implementing the Computer Science program. Dick encouraged and oversaw the mathematics tutoring lab and promoted activities such as the math club and the Kappa Mu Epsilon Honor Society. The actuarial science major within the Mathematics Department originated during Dick's tenure. Besides all of his administrative duties he remained a devoted, inspiring and caring teacher of mathematics and helped promote student research throughout his tenure at Washburn. He was very active in the Kansas Mathematical Association of America, serving one year as the president and three years as a governor of the organization.
Dick loved Washburn University. He attended countless university activities including Ichabod football games and other sporting and music events. Due to his influence, several of his children and grandchildren have attended and graduated from Washburn.
Dick had a charitable spirit. He was on the Board of Directors at Doorstep and spent many, many hours lending a hand wherever needed there. He and Nancy were long time members of Lowman United Methodist Church and Dick served in many positions including Chair of Finance, Chair of Staff/Parish Relations, Chair of the Endowment Committee and Treasurer. He and Nancy were supporters of local theater, attending numerous shows and musicals each year.
In 1993, he retired as Chairman of the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Information Sciences Department from Washburn and the Richard E. Shermoen Mathematics Scholarship was established. He received the prestigious Col. John Ritchie Award in 2017 and in 2018 the family was honored as Washburn University's 'Family of the Year'. Also in 2018, Washburn established the Stauffer Mathematics Learning Lab in Mabee Library, including a classroom dedicated in his name. The goal of this state of the art learning facility is to help students excel in their math courses, an endeavor that Dr. Shermoen was invested in.
After retiring, Dick started doing taxes as a volunteer for the AARP Tax Aide Program. He continued this volunteer work up to Spring of 2020, a few weeks prior to his passing.
Dick and Nancy traveled often, spending summers in International Falls, MN. They had a cabin on an island on Rainy Lake for 32 years. Dick was an avid fisherman, sometimes fishing up to three times in one day! They met many wonderful friends and were Charter Members of the Kempton Channel Metropolitan Social Association and Chowder Club. The Club took every opportunity to get together including many shore lunches and fish frys, with Dick being the designated fish fryer. Their travels included a river cruise in Europe, a trip to Norway to locate Dick's grandfathers' birthplace. They enjoyed several cruises over the years and many visits to family in Michigan and Minnesota.
Dick didn't know a stranger and did not have a mean bone in his body. He touched so many lives, and was a friend to all. After learning of his passing, a member of his church said "If there are jobs in Heaven, I think God will put him on the Welcome-to-Heaven committee because of his bright and joyful spirit. I can seriously picture him greeting everyone with a smile, warm hug and all his love."
A private celebration of Dicks' life will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021 The service will be accessible via Facebook Live, www.facebook.com/LowmanUMCTopeka. Please copy and paste the link into your browser to access the live event.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to:
The Richard E. Shermoen Mathematics Scholarship Fund Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS, 66604
Lowman United Methodist Church, 4101 SW 15th St., Topeka, KS, 66604
Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS, 66606
To share a memory of Dick or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Dr. Shermoen retired in 1993 as Chairman of the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Information Science Department after serving Washburn University for 26 years. In retirement he volunteered for AARP Tax-Aide for 25 years and was an active member of Lowman United Methodist Church. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and especially loved hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Hanks, three children, Richard (Lorraine) of Wamego, James (Lisa) Shermoen and Margaret (Michael) Walter of Topeka, nine grandchildren: Jessica (Brian) Valdivia, Matthew (Cheryl) Shermoen, Christopher (Hallie) Shermoen, Amanda Walter, Chelsea Walter, Devin (Mallory Appelhanz) Walter, Bridget (Kahle) Loveless, Andrew (Erika) Shermoen and Maggie Shermoen and eight great-grandchildren: Jacoby, Joaquin, Gus and Juliet Valdivia and Adelaide, Jonathan and Vivienne Shermoen, Elliott Loveless and one on the way.
Richard was born in Fargo, ND and lived in Moorhead & Dilworth, MN for most of his formative years. He had one brother, Jerry, and two sisters, Jeannine and Margaret Jane, all of whom preceded him in death. During high school and college he worked at the Dilworth Yard of the Northern Pacific Railroad doing track repair and working in the ice house. Dick graduated from Dilworth High School as Salutatorian in 1948. He was an active Boy Scout and earned the rank of Life Scout in 1948. As a young scout he attended Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. Dick was an avid hunter, which he began at an early age. While in North Dakota, he would hunt duck, pheasant and deer every chance he had. He served in the US Navy for one year during their limited enlistment program. He attended North Dakota Agricultural College, later North Dakota State University, "Home of the Bison". Dick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1953. After teaching high school mathematics for two years in Harvey, ND, he moved to Hart, MI and taught high school math. He met his soulmate, Nancy Lee Hanks, and they were married June 17, 1956.
They moved to Fargo, ND so he could pursue his Masters degree, while teaching full time. He completed his Master of Science Degree in 1958. Their two sons, Rich and Jim, were born during this time. Dick had an opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts Degree under a National Science Foundation Grant at the University of Illinois, and he and his family moved to Urbana, IL for one year while he attended the University. They then moved to Albuquerque, NM where he began work on his Doctorate while teaching full time. While in Albuquerque, the stars aligned and Margaret Marie 'Margy' was born. He was fortunate to receive another grant from the National Science Foundation to finish his Doctorate of Education degree at Oklahoma State University in 1963.
Dick, Nancy and the kids then moved back to Fargo, ND where he taught college mathematics for about three and a half years. In the Fall of 1967, he was hired as Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Washburn University, Topeka, KS.
During his tenure of 26 years at Washburn, Dick served on many university committees including a term as Chair of the Science Division of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was a member of the Faculty Senate for numerous years. He was an advocate for the Mathematics Department and was instrumental in implementing the Computer Science program. Dick encouraged and oversaw the mathematics tutoring lab and promoted activities such as the math club and the Kappa Mu Epsilon Honor Society. The actuarial science major within the Mathematics Department originated during Dick's tenure. Besides all of his administrative duties he remained a devoted, inspiring and caring teacher of mathematics and helped promote student research throughout his tenure at Washburn. He was very active in the Kansas Mathematical Association of America, serving one year as the president and three years as a governor of the organization.
Dick loved Washburn University. He attended countless university activities including Ichabod football games and other sporting and music events. Due to his influence, several of his children and grandchildren have attended and graduated from Washburn.
Dick had a charitable spirit. He was on the Board of Directors at Doorstep and spent many, many hours lending a hand wherever needed there. He and Nancy were long time members of Lowman United Methodist Church and Dick served in many positions including Chair of Finance, Chair of Staff/Parish Relations, Chair of the Endowment Committee and Treasurer. He and Nancy were supporters of local theater, attending numerous shows and musicals each year.
In 1993, he retired as Chairman of the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Information Sciences Department from Washburn and the Richard E. Shermoen Mathematics Scholarship was established. He received the prestigious Col. John Ritchie Award in 2017 and in 2018 the family was honored as Washburn University's 'Family of the Year'. Also in 2018, Washburn established the Stauffer Mathematics Learning Lab in Mabee Library, including a classroom dedicated in his name. The goal of this state of the art learning facility is to help students excel in their math courses, an endeavor that Dr. Shermoen was invested in.
After retiring, Dick started doing taxes as a volunteer for the AARP Tax Aide Program. He continued this volunteer work up to Spring of 2020, a few weeks prior to his passing.
Dick and Nancy traveled often, spending summers in International Falls, MN. They had a cabin on an island on Rainy Lake for 32 years. Dick was an avid fisherman, sometimes fishing up to three times in one day! They met many wonderful friends and were Charter Members of the Kempton Channel Metropolitan Social Association and Chowder Club. The Club took every opportunity to get together including many shore lunches and fish frys, with Dick being the designated fish fryer. Their travels included a river cruise in Europe, a trip to Norway to locate Dick's grandfathers' birthplace. They enjoyed several cruises over the years and many visits to family in Michigan and Minnesota.
Dick didn't know a stranger and did not have a mean bone in his body. He touched so many lives, and was a friend to all. After learning of his passing, a member of his church said "If there are jobs in Heaven, I think God will put him on the Welcome-to-Heaven committee because of his bright and joyful spirit. I can seriously picture him greeting everyone with a smile, warm hug and all his love."
A private celebration of Dicks' life will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021 The service will be accessible via Facebook Live, www.facebook.com/LowmanUMCTopeka. Please copy and paste the link into your browser to access the live event.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to:
The Richard E. Shermoen Mathematics Scholarship Fund Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave., Topeka, KS, 66604
Lowman United Methodist Church, 4101 SW 15th St., Topeka, KS, 66604
Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS, 66606
To share a memory of Dick or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. E. Shermoen, please visit our flower store.
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