Richard T. "Dick" Neumann

Richard Thomas Neumann, having 94 years of a life well-lived, peacefully passed on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 with children, family at his bedside along with dedicated, caring staff of Atchison Senior Village.

A con-celebrated Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday February 24, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Benedict's Church in Atchison, Kansas. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Saturday February 24th from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Atchison Senior Village and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Born September 1, 1923 in Atchison, Kansas Richard or Dick as many called him, was the 5th child of seven born to Francis & Ellen (Langan) Neumann. His father Francis emigrated as a child with his Lutheran family from Germany and his mother's Catholic family had arrived from Ireland. Richard benefited from a large close-knit family with the diverse associations of the many aunts/uncles/cousins giving Richard a strong sense of family. He excelled in football and not only did he play hard but also learned the value of hard work that he gained assisting his bricklayer father in projects around Atchison.

After graduating Atchison High School 1941, world events called Richard away to California to train in the Navy. Richard served as a radarman and was part of a team with active duty on a number of battle ships in the Pacific theater in WWII. Some ships did not make it back to port. Like many of 'The Great Generation' he did not speak much of his war years but remained stoically silent; however in his later years Richard did share recollections of his time in World War II.

With the return of peace the young 23 year old returned home to work. With a letter of recommendation in hand, Richard embarked on what would be a 55 year career with the J.E. Dunn Construction Company. In 1946 he started out on the bricklayer line; Richard with sweat and determination over the years earned several promotions until he retired as superintendent of masonry. Richard felt honored and blessed to be a part of JE Dunn organization and proudly wore his blue hard hat, cocked at times off to the side. He had a talent for directing activities and managing resources and people. Some might say he was never happier than when he was directing others. Others might say he was 'ornery' but all would agree he met people equitably - he met folks where they were and accepted them for who they were. He valued dedication to work, honesty and humility.

Every weekend, Richard would drive home to family in Atchison, many times with a regular passenger/friend Maurine Case, a nurse from Atchison then working in Kansas City. Maurine suggested Richard meet another nurse friend. Richard would always acknowledge that be it fortune or fate…God blessed him with the best thing to ever happen to him when he was introduced Joy Louise Koeger. Soon they joined together in marriage on November 3, 1951. They built a home in St. Augustine Parish and raised five children in Kansas City. In the 1970s, Richard moved back to Atchison into the very home in which he was born. Joy and Richard rose early in the morning to do vigils of the Eucharist at St. Benedict's Church. And in his later years, he attended Sunday mass in a quiet chapel of the Benedictine Abbey.

With large families to feed Richard and his brother- Art engaged in many enterprises. Together they constructed buildings on 5th Street and 7th Street in downtown Atchison. In addition, they partnered in cattle ranching and farming. Both Art and Dick could be found at the donut shop or McDonalds as part of a regular informal men's gathering. To Richard, no place was superior to a spot sitting on the porch or under a tree out on the farm. Nevertheless, Richard would, on occasion, sojourn on fishing trips to Canada. Also he reconnected with shipmates of the USS AARON WARD in 2005 and thereafter he and family enjoyed attending reunions in various cities around America. He preferred to spend time near his home and farm to contemplate or share a laugh with family and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by Joy, his loving wife of 65 years, his parents, and siblings: Francis, Margaret, Anne, Charles, Art, and Ruth Ellen.

Richard is survived by his children Joy Aileen Neumann, Richard Neumann (wife, Susan and grandchildren, Megan and Brandon), Kevin Neumann, Lisa Nigro (husband, Torre, and grandchildren, Suzanne, Amy, Laura, and Sam), David Neumann (wife, Janice, and grandchildren, Abby and Grant) and six great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved like his own children.