Richard A. Randolph

Dick Randolph, 79, of Lawrence, passed away at LMH on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, after a long illness. He was surrounded by his family. Dick was born February 22, 1936, in Topeka, the youngest of five children of Elgy and Elsie (Auchard) Randolph, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri, where he graduated from high school. He served in the US Air Force from 1956 to 1958 and graduated from KU in 1976 with a degree in English. He was Secretary-Manager of the Eagles Lodge in Lawrence for many years, and became a substitute teacher in the local schools until retiring.

Dick is survived by three children and their families: Mike and his wife Sarah and their children Olivia and Julia of Lawrence; Chris and his former wife Jackie and their children Zoe and Nathan of Lawrence; and Maggie Randolph Dougherty and her husband Tim and their children Grace, Avery, Amelia, and Annabelle of Lee’s Summit. He is also survived by his sister, Sarah Murrell, of Topeka, and by his former wife, Judy Randolph, of Lawrence.

Dick was an avid reader of mystery novels and a former dance instructor at Arthur Murray Studios. One of the things he was most proud of, besides his family, was earning his BA in English from KU at age 40. Going fishing with his kids on the weekend was a special time for all of them. And Dick loved planning the family vacation every summer, taking us off in “Big Blue” the station wagon to many places and many happy memories. We will greatly miss him.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the VA Hospital in Topeka, particularly those in the oncology department and therapy services.

Memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be made to the Lawrence Public Library and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

There will be a Memorial Mass at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Lawrence, on Saturday, November 14, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a reception and luncheon at the church in Holy Family Hall at 11:00 a.m.