Richard Edgar Lander

Richard Edgar Lander of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his six loving children on Monday, March 29, 2010, following a brief illness at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Dick, as he was known by everyone, was born in Lansing, Kansas, on May 23, 1931. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1949. He attended the University of Kansas and began his first job with Union Pacific Railroad where he met the love of his life, Margaret Bollinger. They married on January 13, 1951, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dick spent his working career at Kansas City Power and Light as a Lead Lineman Splicer and retired after 40 years with Locan IBEW #1464. He took great pride and was instrumental in the building and lighting of the first Bishop Miege High School football field in 1973.

He was a charter member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Dick enjoyed life to the fullest and brought joy to those who loved him. He had many interests and totally enjoyed a day on the lake fishing or in the field bird hunting with his family. He loved to travel. It was very rare not to see him smiling and whistling.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years; his only son, Rick Lander, his wife, Pam; also his five daughters, Cathy Hare, her husband Bob, Peggy Lander, Jane Ferber, her husband Scott, Julie Burger, her husband, Mark and Jill Darbyshire, all of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He is also survived by his adoring 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, with 2 more expected soon.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Services will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 55th & Woodson in Mission, Kansas. Viewing will take place from 9:30-11:00 am, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. A private burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.