Jack R. Richter

Jack R. Richter, 94, of Shawnee, Kansas passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning, March 21, 2017.

Jack was born in Green, Kansas on February 5, 1923. The oldest son of Marvin Elmer Richter and Ruth Auchard Richter, he had two brothers Wayne and Charlie; and one sister, Lois. He spent his elementary years in Kansas one-room school houses throughout Riley and Pottawatomie Counties. He attended Stockton High School and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1940. Jack continued his education, after World War II, at Kansas State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1951.

SGT. Jack Richter served in the United States Army from August 2, 1943 to February 19, 1946. During World War II, he was a member of the 142ND Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. He participated in Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central European Campaigns. When the European conflict ended, he became a Sergeant in the 49th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, serving in the Communication and Message Center until Japan surrendered. After a rough trip home across the Atlantic Ocean, he welcomed the sight of the Statue of Liberty. A long train trip across the United States, returned Jack to Manhattan, Kansas in February of 1946. You can find his picture in the permanent exhibit of World War II Veterans at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas.

Jack was married to Bernice Shehi Richter on February 23, 1947. They moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1951 where Jack was employed by the Boeing Aircraft Company as a Time Study Specialist Engineer. While living in Wichita, Jack and Bernice had three children: Rose Elaine, Greg Kendal and Blake Kyle.

During the summer of 1971, the family moved to Shawnee, KS, where Jack worked for the United Stated Government as an IRS agent until his retirement in 1990. After his retirement, he started a new career with Grandma Berbie as grandparents extraordinaire watching two of their granddaughters Elizabeth and Tori until each could attend pre-school full time. Also in his retirement, he enjoyed traveling and assisting his wife in her 40-year career as an Avon Representative. Jack and Bernice were local celebrities for their awe-inspiring rose and flower gardens. When they were featured on the front page of the Shawnee Herald, they had 140 award winning rose bushes.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Bernice Shehi Richter. He is survived by his brother Charlie Richter and sister-In-Law Connie; brother and sister-in-law John and Elsie Bock; and three children Rose Wrede, Greg Richter, and Blake Richter. He was always so proud of his nine grandchildren: Cheyenna Starkovich, John Richter, Starla Richter, Nicholas Dolphay, Bill Richter, David Richter, Carmen Richter, Tori Wrede and Elizabeth Norton. The apples of his eye were his 6 great-grandchildren: Savannah Moore, Logan and Dean Day-Richter, Maree Starkovich, Ellis Richter, and Elaina Norton. Uncle Jack was so fond of all his nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Jack's family and friends were always the most important thing to him in his life.

A visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 AM will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5325 Nieman Rd, Shawnee Mission, KS 66203 on Saturday, March 25th, 2017.  Funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM also at the church.  Burial will be at 3:30 PM at Spring Creek Cemetery in Fostoria, KS.

The family asks that any memorial contributions be made to:

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
5325 Nieman Rd
Shawnee, KS 66203