Rev. Richardt. Wentling

Richard T. Wentling, 84, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at a Topeka hospital.

He was born October 8, 1928 in Furnas County, NE, the son of Basil T. and Nellie Newton Wentling.

R.T. as he was known, enlisted in the Army immediately after graduation from High School. He received special training and was assigned to the Military Intelligence, where he served for the next ten years, followed by several years in the Ready Reserve. He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and a number of other awards.

He was united in marriage with Nancy Ann Schultz on February 11, 1952 in the Little Brown Church by the Sea Shore, Sharps Park, California, just south of San Francisco. They had over 60 years together.

Rev. Wentling attended Sophia University, in Japan where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree, Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, where he received a Master of Divinity Degree, Fort Hayes State University, where he received a Masters degree in Psychology, Nebraska Christian College, with a Doctor of Divinity Degree, and the University of Kansas with a PhD in Clinical Psychology. R.T. was ordained in the Congregational Church, later to become the United Church of Christ. He served as interim pastor in Omaha, Nebraska. He served churches in Muscotah, and Huron, he served yoked parishes of Smith Center and Athol, Hiawatha and Fairview, Baldwin City, and Topeka, all in Kansas. He then served as a Chaplain at Brewster Place in Topeka for the next eight years totaling over 50 years. He then became Pastor Emeritus at First Congregational Church in Topeka where he was active, with funerals, weddings, filling the pulpit and making pastoral calls, as needed. He was active in the Boy Scouts, and held the Eagle award. He was Scoutmaster for 20 years, and received the Scoutmasters Training Key, as well as the Silver Beaver Award. He was District Chairman of the Kanza District, of Atchison, Brown and Doniphan Counties. He was a life member of the Veterans Foreign Wars, Rotary, Masonic orders, Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Toltec, White Shrine, Arab Shrine, Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of First Congregational Church, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Norma Ruth and Marilyn Marie. He is survived by his wife, Nancy of 60 years, three sons, David (Kelly) Wentling of Berryton, KS; Daniel (Betty) Wentling of Mayetta, KS; Michael (Laura) Wentling of Chesterfield, MO, a daughter, Marilyn (Michael) Harden of Hoyt, KS; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. R.T. will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins St., Topeka, KS 66604.