Richard Dale “Dick” Wilson, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on January 10, 2025, at his home in Russell.
Richard Dale “Dick” Wilson, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on January 10, 2025, at his home in Russell.
Dick was born on February 16, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Dale R. and Lila May (Harshbarger) Wilson. Dick grew up in Russell, Bunker Hill, Luray and Paradise, Kansas areas. He graduated from Paradise High School and Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture.
Dick taught at Natoma High School before returning to Kansas State University where he received a second bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then joined the United States Air Force where he had various duties but most notably worked as a missileer in a nuclear missile silo. Because of the long hours working in the missile silo, he participated in a program that allowed him to a get master’s degree. Dick served in the Air Force for 20 years and retired as a major.
After retiring from the Air Force, he returned to Russell where he helped his father at the salvage yard and also worked at a variety of jobs. He had a life-long love of cars and collected many over the years. He also loved to cook and started the holiday meals at the church for those that didn’t have family living close. He was happy to see that the serving of holiday meals had grown to serve the Russell community.
He was a driver’s education instructor for Wilson and Russell public schools and drove a school bus. He also worked as a funeral helper for several years with Russell Funeral Home in Russell, Kansas. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Mason’s and Elks Lodge.
Surviving family include his sister Carolyn Funk and husband Larry of St. George, Kansas; niece Lora Collins (Shane); great nieces Katherine, Michaela and Christine Collins of Chelsea, Alabama, and great nephew Garrison Funk of Syracuse, New York.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Bradley Funk.
A memorial service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held at a later date. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.