Richard Mcconnell

Richard McConnell, 70, Lecompton, Kansas, passed away August 6, 2018. He was born September 6, 1947, the son of Dean and Jean McConnell. He is survived by wife, Karen Scarlett; sons, Richard (Robin) and Jesse (Aimee) and granddaughter Fiona.

Mother, Jean McConnell; brother, Royce (Grace); two sisters, Alcinda (Ed) Daniels; Alisa (Larry) Grollmes; brother-in-law, Terry (Debbie) Scarlett; sister-in-law, Carol York; and was the proud uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Richard attended school in Liberty, MO before moving to Valley Falls where graduated from high school in 1965. He attended Highland Community College for two years before earning his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Washburn University. He later completed his master's degree in counseling from Emporia State University.

Richard worked and taught at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, for fourteen years. He then taught fifth grade at Lyman Elementary School for twenty-years before retiring. Students that had the opportunity to have Richard as their teacher, not only learned required curriculum but also learned to play chess, and students wanting to play the guitar were welcome to join Richard in his before school guitar sessions. Every year, he would find at least one older guitar; repair it; and pass it on to someone who showed the love of playing music.

Richard and Karen belonged to several old-time string bands and blue grass groups through the years. Every Monday, for the last many years, musicians of all ages and at all levels, showed up at the house for a three-hour jam session. Richard's passion was learning and playing stringed instruments. Not only did he love playing, he loved to teach others to play.

Richard was currently the Vice President of the Lecompton Historical Society. He had held this position for many years. From the time the museum opened, until recently, he joined museum volunteers to cut down the largest field cedar tree they could find; haul the tree back to the museum; carry it up the metal fire escape and set it up to be decorated for Christmas on the museum stage. He was also part of the group that crawled up on the roof of the museum from the attic, in order to put lights around the outside edge of the museum and set up the huge Christmas Star that lite up the holiday season. One year, while people were decorating the Christmas tree, there was a crash and a pair of legs came through the ceiling. Richard had missed a rafter.

Richard loved mowing our acreage; clearing land and creating parks throughout our property, that no one but us would ever see. Reading was another favorite pastime for Richard. He loved history and biographies. He also loved sharing what he had learned from the books he read. Everyone he ran into was a friend and he always had a story to tell.

Richard was blessed with two sons. He was very proud of the boys and very proud of all that they have accomplished in their lives. Through the years they enjoyed hunting, fishing, family life and good food.

He also loved dogs. One of his favorite dogs was Ringer. Ringer was a large red bone coon hound that Richard and his sons trained and hunted with for many years. After Ringer passed, Guinness, a Yorkshire Terrier, joined the family and Guinness could frequently be seen riding together with Richard on the tractor.

Richard had always hoped for many grandchildren and was blessed with one beautiful granddaughter that shares his love of music. Watching Fiona and Richard play their stringed instruments together was a gift to all. He had only one very special granddaughter but was Santa Claus to all of the young children that he encountered.

Our family would like to invite Lyman Elementary School staff, Richard's former students, musician friends, and our personal family friends to join us for food, drink, stories and music on a date and location to be determined in the near future. Richard loved hearing from his former students and friends on Facebook and if you continue to check his Facebook page, the time, date and location will be announced.