In Memory Of
Richard W. Owen
1933
2019
Richard W. Owen
January 17, 1933 — March 13, 2019
Richard (Dick) W. Owen, 86, of Topeka, passed into his eternal life with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 surrounded by his loving family and wife. He was born January 17, 1933, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of William and Ruth (Wells) Owen.
Richard married Jacqueline Oppendike on May 1, 1955 in Keokuk, Iowa. She preceded him in death on September 2, 1995.
After attending Iowa Wesleyan for two years, Dick then attended Middle Tennessee State University where he received a BS in history and minors in economics and political science. He joined the United States Air Force in 1953. While serving in the Air Force, Dick fought in the Vietnam War as a C-130 pilot. He received the Silver Star for Gallantry in connection with C-130 military operations; Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight; Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achievement in aerial flight, and Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service as Commander of the 313th Organizational Maintenance Squadron at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, KS. He was the Assistant to the Commander for Base Closure when he retired in December 1973, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retirement, Dick owned and operated Logos Christian Bookstore with his late wife Jackie. After selling the store, he worked for Volume Shoe Corporation as the Human Resource Director. He later enjoyed working part time at the Sports Center in Topeka.
On April 24, 1999 Dick married Bernice (Bernie) Ullery-Patterson in Topeka, KS.
Dick was an active member of Topeka Bible Church and greatly enjoyed the Koinonia Sunday school class. Previously, he was a founding and active member of Covenant Baptist Church for over 30 years.
Dick loved God and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities, playing golf, bowling, snow skiing, ball games, music and singing, his Kansas State Wildcats, big bowls of popcorn and telling his C-130 stories. Even at the age 86, he still delighted in riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He volunteered and enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for over 10 years.
Dick is survived by his loving wife, Bernie, of the home. Daughters, Debbie Scholl and husband Don, Kathie Taylor and husband Mark, Susan Ladenburger and husband Jay T., all of Topeka; son, John Owen and wife Tamie, Davenport, IA; step-son, Mike Patterson and wife Cathy, Lawrence, KS; step-daughter, Jillaine vonSeldeneck and husband Jeff, Leawood, KS. Grandchildren, Becky Swords and husband Jasien, Nathan Scholl, Jacob Scholl and wife Stacey, Kyle Taylor and wife Julie, Drew Taylor and wife Megan, Brooke Gardner and husband Nathan, Megan Howard and husband Reed, Paige Wynne and husband Jeremy, Rachel Irons and husband David, Aaron Owen, Jordan Owen and wife Taylor, Jaxon Patterson, Jake vonSeldeneck, Jaysen vonSeldeneck. Great-grandchildren, Henry, Silas, Baker, Declan, Celia, Dean, Mitch, Emmersyn, Glenn, Rose, Owen, Grant, Margaret, and Lyla. Sister, Janet Stump and husband Barry.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Luke Scholl and brother, Robert Owen and wife, Mimi.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 SW Mulvane, Topeka. A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Topeka Bible Church. Private interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home 1321 SW 10th Street, Topeka, KS, 66604 for Topeka Bible Church or K-State Christian Challenge or SENT, Inc (Strengthening and Equipping Neighborhoods Together benefitting the Hi-Crest neighborhood).
To share your memories of Richard or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Richard married Jacqueline Oppendike on May 1, 1955 in Keokuk, Iowa. She preceded him in death on September 2, 1995.
After attending Iowa Wesleyan for two years, Dick then attended Middle Tennessee State University where he received a BS in history and minors in economics and political science. He joined the United States Air Force in 1953. While serving in the Air Force, Dick fought in the Vietnam War as a C-130 pilot. He received the Silver Star for Gallantry in connection with C-130 military operations; Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight; Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious achievement in aerial flight, and Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service as Commander of the 313th Organizational Maintenance Squadron at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, KS. He was the Assistant to the Commander for Base Closure when he retired in December 1973, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retirement, Dick owned and operated Logos Christian Bookstore with his late wife Jackie. After selling the store, he worked for Volume Shoe Corporation as the Human Resource Director. He later enjoyed working part time at the Sports Center in Topeka.
On April 24, 1999 Dick married Bernice (Bernie) Ullery-Patterson in Topeka, KS.
Dick was an active member of Topeka Bible Church and greatly enjoyed the Koinonia Sunday school class. Previously, he was a founding and active member of Covenant Baptist Church for over 30 years.
Dick loved God and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities, playing golf, bowling, snow skiing, ball games, music and singing, his Kansas State Wildcats, big bowls of popcorn and telling his C-130 stories. Even at the age 86, he still delighted in riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He volunteered and enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for over 10 years.
Dick is survived by his loving wife, Bernie, of the home. Daughters, Debbie Scholl and husband Don, Kathie Taylor and husband Mark, Susan Ladenburger and husband Jay T., all of Topeka; son, John Owen and wife Tamie, Davenport, IA; step-son, Mike Patterson and wife Cathy, Lawrence, KS; step-daughter, Jillaine vonSeldeneck and husband Jeff, Leawood, KS. Grandchildren, Becky Swords and husband Jasien, Nathan Scholl, Jacob Scholl and wife Stacey, Kyle Taylor and wife Julie, Drew Taylor and wife Megan, Brooke Gardner and husband Nathan, Megan Howard and husband Reed, Paige Wynne and husband Jeremy, Rachel Irons and husband David, Aaron Owen, Jordan Owen and wife Taylor, Jaxon Patterson, Jake vonSeldeneck, Jaysen vonSeldeneck. Great-grandchildren, Henry, Silas, Baker, Declan, Celia, Dean, Mitch, Emmersyn, Glenn, Rose, Owen, Grant, Margaret, and Lyla. Sister, Janet Stump and husband Barry.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Luke Scholl and brother, Robert Owen and wife, Mimi.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 SW Mulvane, Topeka. A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Topeka Bible Church. Private interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home 1321 SW 10th Street, Topeka, KS, 66604 for Topeka Bible Church or K-State Christian Challenge or SENT, Inc (Strengthening and Equipping Neighborhoods Together benefitting the Hi-Crest neighborhood).
To share your memories of Richard 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 Richard W. Owen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, March 22, 2019
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Topeka Bible Church
Service
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Topeka Bible Church
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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