Randall Stanton Weseman
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** Friends, family, and community members are invited to a celebration of Randy Weseman’s life at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for those who wish to visit memory tables in the lobby prior to the ceremony in the auditorium. Following the 6:30 p.m. ceremony, a toast will be made in the lobby of the Lied Center.
Randall Stanton Weseman, 72, passed away on January 23, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children who cared for and supported him during a hard-fought battle with lymphoma. **
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Randall Stanton Weseman, 72, passed away on January 23, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children who cared for and supported him during a hard-fought battle with lymphoma. A Celebration of Randall’s life will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Lied Center.
Randy was born in Garden City, KS on August 23, 1949, to Donald George and Eleanor Mae (Beahm) Weseman. He spent his early childhood in Spokane, WA before moving with his mother and younger brother, Scott, to Dighton, KS. Randy and his brother were raised by their single mother in humble circumstances. While still in high school, Randy moved from the family home and played in a band on weekends traveling to western Kansas venues with his older bandmates. He used his band earnings to help support his mother and brother. He was heavily influenced during his high school years by Al Cook, high school teacher and coach, who embodied the unique gift of being tough while also being kind and caring and whose influence affected Randy his entire life.
In 1968, Randy attended Hutchinson Community College for one semester before joining the United States Air Force. He completed two tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. While still in the Air Force and stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, he took classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After discharge from the Air Force, Randy used the GI Bill to complete his undergraduate work at the University of Kansas where he later completed his graduate work, as well. Years later, he completed a master’s degree in guitar performance with the Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Randy began his work in Lawrence Public Schools as a student teacher, where more than 33 years later, in 2009, he retired as the Superintendent of Schools. During his time in Lawrence Public Schools, he was a high school history, economics and government teacher, a junior high social studies teacher and football, basketball and track coach, and an assistant principal and principal before joining the district administration team working in several roles before the Lawrence Board of Education appointed him to be the fifth superintendent to preside over consolidated Unified School District 497.
As superintendent, Randy provided leadership to garner community support to improve facilities and technology, open Langston Hughes Elementary School, create the Lawrence Virtual School, implement full-day kindergarten, expand English as a Second Language services, improve mental health services, expand after-school programs, and improve outdoor district athletic facilities.
In 2011, Randy accepted the position of one-year Interim Superintendent for Tonganoxie USD 464. The one-year interim superintendency turned into 3 years during which Randy led the district in the development of policies and procedures to increase the district’s effectiveness and efficiency and the effort to pass a bond issue for a new PreK-5 elementary school.
Randy’s last professional role was CFO for the Kansas Association of School Boards where his duties included finance and operations, superintendent searches, district facilities planning, board of education training, and business-partnerships management. He retired from KASB June 30, 2020, just a few short months before his lymphoma diagnosis.
Randy was an active public servant in the Lawrence community and served on numerous boards, including The Shelter, Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board, Juvenile Justice Reform Planning Team, Horizon 2020, Leadership Lawrence, Lawrence Education Achievement Partnership, and Junior Achievement. In addition, he was a member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Lawrence Economic Development Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board, United School Administrators Board, Phi Delta Kappa, Kansas Association of School Business Officials, Kansas University National Advisory Board, and the KU Advisory Committee on Human Experimentation. In 2018, Randy joined the Board of Directors of the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center and served as Chair of the Academic Committee. He served on the Peaslee board until his death.
Randy was recognized by Ecumenical Fellowship Inc. for his dedicated service to Education and furthering the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King in the Lawrence School District and the entire community. He received the Anna Cerf Lifetime Achievement Award from Ballard Community Services, the Buford M. Watson Public Service Award from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Pioneer Award from Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and the Paul Harris Fellow Medallion from the Lawrence Noon Rotary Club. The University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning presented its Gordon R. Alley Partnership Award to Randy. He was a German Fulbright Fellow for the Superintendent’s Fulbright Program and received the Kansas Library Association’s Distinguished Service Award. He was the Lawrence Public Schools Educator of the Year in 1993 and was named a Japan/America Foundation MAJIS Fellow in 1990. In 1981, Randy earned the Kansas Economic Education Grand Award from the Kansas Bankers Association.
Randy’s final public appearance was November 4, 2021, at the Kiwanis Club of Lawrence Honors Dinner to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. Although Randy was recognized as a volunteer for his service to the organization in the areas of leadership, service, and dedication to empowering youth in Lawrence, he used the opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers, and board members of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence for their tireless work to improve the lives of children and youth in Lawrence.
Randy’s final outing was November 26, 2021, when Randy and his wife, Marcia, renewed their wedding vows in the presence of friends and family. The event allowed Randy and his family to express their deep gratitude for the support Randy received during his cancer journey.
Outside of his professional duties, Randy spent time studying and collecting artifacts and historical documents related to WWII. He was an avid reader of biographies, science fiction and non-fiction. He enjoyed woodworking and fly-fishing. Randy and Marcia also enjoyed travel and hiking, especially meaningful to Randy was their trip to Normandy, France, their rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, and climbing and repelling in Alaska. Most of all, Randy loved to play the guitar. Nearly all his performances benefitted organizations, primarily the Lawrence Public Schools Foundation.
Randy is survived by his wife, Marcia Remp Weseman; children, Joel Weseman and Leah Wisdom of Lawrence, Courtney Bone (Andrew Murley) of Berkeley, CA, and Judson Bone (Andi Bone) of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren, Xavien Weseman-Wisdom, Alyus Wisdom, and Shawn Patton of Lawrence and Reaghan Murley of Berkeley, CA; and former wife, Vicki Dowell Weseman of Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.
Although Randy’s professional resume is extensive, above all, he valued time with family, friends, and his pandemic puppy, Lola. His warm and generous personality and his natural inclination to build strong relationships with others had a positive impact on the people with whom he interacted both personally and professionally.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration to one of the following organizations which were especially important to Randy:
Boys and Girls Club, Lawrence, KS: bgclk.org/donate (select Randy Weseman Scholarship in the drop- down options under “Donation Info”)
Lawrence Schools Foundation: lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org (click “donate” then select Randy Weseman Memorial Scholarship under “Where can we designate your gift?” tab)
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (funds Dr. Andrew Murley’s, Randy’s son-in-law, research at UC Berkeley): damonrunyon.org (click on “donate” then note Randy’s name under the Tribute Information) or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
With the passing of Randy Weseman Lawrence has lost too early one of its All-Time Great leaders and citizens. He was in all respects a self made man and leader who had the ability to work with people productively, harmoniously, and compassionately. He had a very special ability to lead his school boards successfully through difficult times. By his work and support of schools and community youths he benefited many people. And with his special interest in American history and music, one might think of him as a Renaissance man. Virginia & I extend all are condolences to Marcia who stood by Randy’s side through his long suffering illness; and to his surviving family.
I met Mr. Weseman in 8th grade at South Jr High – I remember him playing James Taylor’s “Shower the People” on his guitar during the variety show – as well as him using his recording equipment to record the band and choir concerts. He took time to share in his interests with me as a student 20+ years ago and I still remember it to this day. You served your community well Mr. Weseman and you will be missed.
Randy was one of those people who just made everyone around him better.
I will forever be thankful for Randy’s friendship and mentorship. His kindness and genuine interest in helping me to develop as a Superintendent is appreciated from the depth of my soul. I will miss Randy and our conversations. My condolences to the Marcia, his children, and grandchildren. I know what he meant to me, and I can only imagine what he meant to his family.
Randy was the the ultimate mediator. I watched him many times as the principal at South Jr High deal with grievances between teachers, teachers – parents, and teacher-students. He some how always made each side happy and feel they got their way. He was so talented, so friendly, and very accepting of everyone. He always made people around him feel good . Randy never forgot his roots as a teacher and coach and was a loyal friend.
Randy Weseman and I have had many conversations about his early life and how it shaped him as a son, a parent, a teacher, a leader – and most of all, as a musician. All who have worked with him know that music was his muse, his comforter, his extension of himself. He has remarkable professional achievements, but I will remember the music he made and the melody that will linger in my life. I hear him now singing Pretty Woman in the South Junior High School theatre, moving through the students and faculty, making every female believe he was singing just to her.
Thank you, Randy, for living a life of service. You have made a difference.
It is with great sorrow and many tears we say goodbye to Randy. He entered my life and family at a young age when he moved to Kansas. He became like a son to my parents, a younger brother and sometimes a little pest. We watched with pride as Randy moved through life with his courage, wisdom, his guitar and a clear vision of what is meaningful. His task here on earth is completed, but his star continues to shine.
Randy was larger than life. His sense of humor, “smarts”, and loving personality made him one in a million. All of my love and prayers go to Marcia and the entire family.
Randy was a respected leader in Lawrence and in Kansas education. My condolences to Marcia and all of the family.
Thanks to the whole heartiness of service by Randy a gift of love has been given . His love for education , leadership, and his fellowman has been a beacon light for many to follow. Take your rest Randy, you’ve finished your race in this journey called life. Sending prayers of comfort and strength to the Weseman family during this season of sadness.
I had the privilege of working for Randy when he was the principal at South. Randy was someone who inspired me to always do my personal best. He always had a smile on his face and had the ability to take a rough situation and resolve whatever problems arose. He cared deeply about others and tried to help every person he met.
When I was at South, he knew I loved computers. He gave me the opportunity to work in the summer on “No Child Left Behind” computer projects. Work was never work when Randy was around, it was fun.
In January 1996, I was offered a position in the Education Division of Apple. Randy knew it was my dream job. He personally went to the Lawrence Board of Education and explained how I needed out of my teaching contract at semester to take this position. It was highly unusual but the board let me out of my contract. If the board hadn’t let me out, I would have turned down my dream job at Apple.
If you were lucky enough to know Randy, you became a friend and most likely he not only improved your life, he changed the trajectory of your life
If I had stayed teaching at South, I would have had a great life because I loved my work, my colleagues and the students. But without Randy’s help, I wouldn’t be living the dream I’m living today. He helped me live my true authentic life.
When you get older you look back at your life and you see forks in the road and you wonder what would my life have been life if Randy hadn’t gone to bat for me? I’m sure I’m not the first or last person Randy helped. He helped everyone he met.
My fondest memory of Randy was the last day of school each year. The kids were all gone for summer, so Randy would break out his guitar & he would play his guitar and sing songs to us teachers. He would put our names in songs. He always had kind things to say about each of us.
Today heaven gained a hard rocker who is smiling, helping people, hiking and fly fishing in his spare time. Randy, I hope everyone up there is as kind to you as you were to all of us. I’ll never forget all the lessons you taught me. And thank you for helping me when I needed it most. I can never repay the kindness you showed me except to help others the way you helped me. RIP Randy.
Beyond being a committed educator, Randy Weseman was a man you could trust and a friend to all. I will miss him.
We were so sad to read about Randy’s passing but celebrate all of his achievements, the care he gave to students, teachers and administrators, friends and family . Our condolences go out to Joel and family.
This is heartbreaking news. Randy was a wonderful mentor and friend of mine. He was always patient in guiding and teaching me about being a better leader. My prayers go out to all that loved and respected Randy. Your lessons and leadership live on and will be passed down for many years!
Randy Weseman was genuine and funny. He was the new assistant principal at West Junior High when I joined the faculty and became one of my favorite mentors. I have been a fan ever since. Few could stay too serious or upset in a difficult situation when faced with his impish grin!! Great educators inspire others to achieve. That he certainly did!
I am just amazed at all the accolades and achievements this man has done and gotten from all of you. You see I knew Randy a little differently than most of you. He wasn’t a mentor or a teacher or a principal or a coach or an associate to me. We met in the summer of ‘58 in a small town in western Kansas just before the 3rd grade. We became fast friends immediately and best friends for 64 years until a few days ago. He influenced my life in many ways. From growing up together to having me join him in Las Vegas where he was stationed at the time. I ended up spending 38 years there and raised 3 kids. Then later on we had an all school reunion in 2015 at our home town and Randy got the old band together at the park. It was a great time and I was reunited with a classmate of ours ,Barbara who I married 3 years later. To say he was an influence on me is an understatement. He gave me a guitar and was giving me lessons until cancer took over. I’m still processing his death and miss him terribly. Prayers go out to Marcia and the kids and grandkids He will be missed!
Truly a gentle soul. God’s speed old friend.
My sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleges of this amazing man.
Mr. Weseman had made an impact on me that will last a lifetime. As a student at South Jr. High that was struggling with home life and reacting through rebellion, I would end up in his office more often then I wanted, but he took the time to be kind, understanding, actively listened, and treated me as if I did matter. Mr. Weseman always sent me away feeling hopeful and was the only member of the faculty that seemed to care enough to influence me to change direction as he did not discount me and knew that I just needed guidance.
I will always remember him with a smile and forever will be grateful. Thank you for being a genuine person.
Every once in awhile one gets lucky in life, and that is how I felt when I worked with Randy at South Junior High. I quickly learned I had the good fortune to work with a special and gifted man. He not only had the ability to make everyone around him feel valued, he also knew how to fix things, make them better, and get stuff done. Coming to work everyday was invigorating because we were all working together to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Randy was truly “one in a million”, and that is why his loss is so hard. It is felt by all who knew him, and most important his devoted family. My deepest condolences to his family, close friends and a community of friends who also loved him. When he was recently honored by the Boys and Girls
Club, he commented that Lawrence is his community. I will add that to many of us, Lawrence Public Schools is his district. He is loved. Rest In Peace, Randy; we are all blessed for having you in our life.
Randy was a BOSS. We should all strive to be the type of person he was, who valued everyone.
Randy touched so many lives as a teacher, principal, and superintendent He made everyone feel important. He was such a champion for kids and teachers. Randy will be greatly missed. But what a life he had!
Lynn Heffley
I had known Randy for several years through his first wife, Vicki, but I really got to know him when fellow parent, Margy Rose, and I formed a committee to stop the reconfiguration of grade levels in the district, which would mean the movement of the 9th graders to the high schools. Even though Randy was Superintendent and had supported the move, he listened to the opinions of the district’s ninth through twelfth grade teachers, students,parents, and community members who were against the change in the proposed grade configuration. I will always remember being asked to attend the first summer meeting for teachers to discuss curriculum. He opened the meeting, by asking me to make the announcement that the district would not be moving the ninth graders to the high school. The staff breathed a sigh of relief and then got down to business of planning for the new year. Randy was fair and he listened to all sides of a very important situation that impacted teachers and students and their families. I send my condolences to Randy’s family and friends. He made a difference.
A great man who had all of our respect and admiration. He was an excellent administrator but more importantly a wonderful friend. He will be truly missed.
Randy was a good friend and we referred to each other when we saw one another as Brother Randy and Brother Gene. We realized with similar hair styles that people confused us with one another. Randy cared so much about education and the improvement of all things Lawrence. Randy we salute you for all great things he did as an educator but most of all as a friend.
Randy was a great leader for USD 497. I remember one time he came into Lawrence Virtual School (which Gary Lewis and Randy started) and he called me by name. It surprised me that he knew my name. God rest his sole!
He will be missed by all teachers. He was ‘one of us’–ever and always.
Charlene galloway. He had such a big heart he was a father to so many children of color Mexican white and was always lending a helping hand also u could see the joy in his eyes as long as we obeyed him we were good thank be to God he resting in his arms love truly gone miss you
Marcia – Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Randy will be missed. He was a phenomenal client of ours while he led the efforts in Lawrence and Tonganoxie Schools. Randy was extremely smart, talented, driven and always knew how to achieve the best final results. He did all of this in a public position under a great deal of pressure and public oversight. But he did it all with a great sense of humor in all that he did. He was a joy to be around. We enjoyed seeing him at all of the KASB events and the BOLD Conferences he championed to help other up and coming school superintendents. We will miss him being in our lives. What a great man!
Randy was a good man who tried to do the best he could for kids. I remember Randy taking me aside a city commission meeting we were both attending for different issues and telling me “I’ve secured funding for the high school bowling program for 4 yrs” right before he announced his retirement the very next day. I was LHS bowling coach for several years and advocated for high school bowling. Though others within the administration were not supportive of having high school bowling, the kids of Lawrence Public Schools have Randy to “Thank” for having such an opportunity!
Thank you, Randy for always taking the time to sit down and visit about issues concerning kids of USD 497.
So blessed to know this beautiful human being. My friend, we will miss you terribly. Thank you for all of your service on this earth. You left it a much better place. You did so much. My heart goes out to Marcia, all of your beautiful children and grandchildren and Vicki Weseman. I will always hear your ornery chuckle in my ear. Love you so much.
Randy –
Absolutely one of the best people we’ve ever known. The way he treated people, his advocacy for ALL kids in the district (he never forgot where he came from), his love of personal learning, his sense of humor, his kindness, his positive attitude, his passion for education and the community will not be forgotten. He was such a great guy to be around. What a wonderful person. Our condolences to Marcia and the family.
Randy encouraged us to all find the best within ourselves. He was such an authentic leader and friend. May we all make him proud. My thoughts and prayers for Marcia and his family.
Randy was in my life for to short a period of time yet he helped me grow and become a better person. A man who truly touched peoples souls with his wit, humor and steady nature. Many prayers and healing light for family and friends of this wonderful gentle man. God’s speed Randy. Rock on until we met again.
It was truly a pleasure knowing Randy. He was a tremendous advocate for the teachers, staff, and students in Lawrence. I always appreciated how he never missed the opportunity at the schools foundation breakfast to illustrate to the community how our public schools need their support. He left a big legacy and will be missed by so many.
Randy taught me more while he was student teaching in my LHS classroom in 1976 than he could possibly have learned from me.
Thank you Pat Weiss for placing him with me. I gained a life-long brother, a head full of wisdom, and a heart full of humanity.
Thanks to Scott Steuwe, a cartoonist in our class, we became, for life, “Wesedoggie” and “Goatear.”
Randy was fond of saying, “if you want control, give up control” and I discover a new application of that paradoxical admonition every day.
I take immense comfort knowing how much the community appreciated and honors him and his loved ones; and I never pass on an opportunity shamelessly to drop his name wherever I go!
His personal and educational standards inspire us all. When I saw him last November I prodded him to stand before a mirror multiple times daily and say to his reflection, “Wesedoggie, you are some really hot @*#t.”
I hope (suspect) deep down he knew it to be true but he never used that self-confidence except in the service of others.
Rejoice in his priceless gifts to us all!
Kelly and I are sad to hear of Randy’s passing. Our heart and prayers are with you Marcia and family. I have some great pics and will be sending them to you. You know, pictures of Randy with that smile, Randy being a master negotiator, Randy building lasting partnerships and Randy being that fun loving Guy. God bless you Randy and family.
Randy was one of those rare gems in life that brought light, love an laughter to all he touched. Love and blessings to Randy, Marcia and all his family and friends.
I am so very sorry that we have lost Randy Weseman. He was a true leader, helping our district and community navigate difficult issues. I never doubted how much he truly cared about kids. His own music background gave him appreciation for the importance of programs and activities for kids. I appreciated his efforts on our behalf very much. My sincere condolences to his family.
The Garrett Family::
To Leah. Shawn and the rest of the Weseman family we send our sincere condolences following the passing of Mr. Weseman. May he rest well in paradise.
Randy was such a great soul. It was a pleasure to work with him and he made our work in the district fun. Thoughts and prayers for his family.