Richard “Dick” James Holzmeister
Share
Richard “Dick” James Holzmeister, 88, of Lawrence, KS, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. A rosary will be recited at the church at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.
Dick was born on October 8, 1934, in Topeka, KS, the son of Adam George and Loretta (Murphy) Holzmeister. He graduated from Hayden High School in 1952 and from Washburn University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He served his country retiring as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Upon leaving the Air Force he began his career as Vice President and branch manager at Capital Federal for 36 years until retiring in 1996. After retirement, he worked for the US Census and as an AARP Tax Aide.
Dick’s family was a founding family of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. He served on the Lawrence Board of Education and the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Board and was an active member of the Breakfast Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Elks Club, and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was active in the development of fastpitch softball as a member of Lawrence Girls Fastpitch Softball.
Dick was a kind and caring person, a faithful and loving husband, he married Marjorie Jean Nadeau on October 8, 1960, in Topeka KS. His love and compassion was demonstrated throughout his 59 years of marriage. His unconditional love and respect for her was demonstrated as he faithfully supported her daily during her battle with cancer. She preceded him in death on July 16, 2019.
He was a true sports fan actively involved with his children’s activities, as scorekeeper and statistician for baseball and softball teams, or treasure for various groups. He was an avid supporter of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas Jayhawks, volunteering as an official at the Kansas Relays for many years. He loved spending time with his family be it vacation road trips in the family station wagon, holiday ski trips, family gatherings or graduations.
Dick was an active member of Breakfast Optimist Club, a lifetime member, and past president. He was recognized as Optimist of the Year for his service to the club. In the early years he enjoyed the various club outings, be it canoe float trips, outings at the lake or trips to the Royals games. Every year he could be found at a grocery store parking lot selling Christmas trees as part of the clubs annual fund raiser. He supported the clubs work in the Lawrence schools volunteering for various programs. In 2001 he was recognized as a Friend of Education for his work at East Heights Elementary school.
A quiet, kind and caring man he will be greatly missed.
Survivors include their daughter, Jill (Steve) Patton of Lawrence, KS; three sons: Jeffery (Lea Ann) Holzmeister of Tempe, AZ, Scott (Deborah) Holzmeister of Gilbert, AZ, and Jon (Michelle) Holzmeister of Overland Park, KS; and 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be made to Lawrence Breakfast Optimist, and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary (120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044).
For details on the service or to share condolences, more information is available at warrenmcelwain.com.
My most heartfelt sympathy to Jill, Jon, Scott, Jeff and their families.
In 1975 I moved to Lawrence to work for Dick. He and Jean taught me a great deal about business, family, community, and life!
May he Rest In Peace. May your memories bring you joy and comfort.
I am Helen “Hendle” Pendleton Rumbaut, the daughter of the late Judge William B. Pendleton. I met Dick Holzmeister at the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club, where Dad and Dick were members for decades. I am sorry to hear of Dick’s passing, and pray that all who are grieving will find comfort in the Lord Jesus. He is the only Savior, and the only way to heaven. RIP, Dick.
My condolences to the Holzmeister family on the passing of their father. Growing up playing baseball with Jeff and Scott I got used to seeing Richard at our games. Such a compassionate and caring father to his kids!
May you all find peace in his passing.
One more wonderful neighbor in Prairie Meadows has gone. Great people and excellent families lived here. My love to all the Holzmeisters.
God bless you.
Kay Rytting
Jean and family, we were so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. He will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. Sending our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Knew Dick as a friend, in business as a professional mortgage broker and serving on the school board with him. Always professional and a real gentleman. Lawrence was lucky to him as a member of our community. My condolences to his family.
My deepest condolences for Dick’s family and friends. I have know him since grade school as he was “my banker” and my mother JoAnn’s boss. I remember he always had a smile on his face and always made a point to speak with me. He was very personable. He will be missed but will be forever remembered.
Dick touched so many lives in the very best way. I’m so grateful I had the chance to grow and learn with him. He was a boss, mentor, neighbor and close friend since 1966. He was always there for me when I needed help. My heart goes out to Jill Jeff, Scott and Jon and the rest of their families. You have my heart felt support and friendship in this difficult time.
May Dick rest in peace. He will be missed.
I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to Jeff, Scott, Jon, and Jill; as well as, their families. I never knew a more loving & devoted husband & father as Dick was to his family. I grew up playing baseball with the boys & Dick & Jean were always in attendance supporting the boys & the teams they played for. Later on in life, I got to know Dick on a different level as my mother-in-law worked with Dick at Cap Fed for many years. He was always so kind, generous, and willing to help & serve his customers & community. He was a man of grace and humility! May your memories & great times shared with dad, give you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Wanting to tell the family thank-you for all the kindness that Dick and Jean showed me in my lifetime of knowing them. I will miss them. May God bless your family. Love, Mary Hacker
For over fifty years, Ray and I had no better friends than Dick and Jean. The four of us had so much in common, especially the way we lived our lives and felt about our families. Jill, Jeff, Scott and Jon are their parents’ living legacy and the world is better for it. I know how hard it is to lose parents like Dick and Jean and my heart goes out to their children and grandchildren. May God bless them all.
Dick was a great guy, and a very special person. I first met Dick back in the 1970’s when he was helping my clients obtain real estate loans at Capital Federal. We later worked together campaigning at United Way on the loaned executive program. Prayers and condolences to the family and friends.
Jeff, Scott, Jon and Jill, I am sorry for your loss of your dad. To me he was always a friendly, welcoming guy. He, with your mom, made a great family and helped build a great community. Sometimes you only know someone through the family they raised. Knowing Jeff, he, and your mom, leave me thinking they were fantastic people. I hope the love of your families and good memories of your dad sustain you these weeks.
I met Dick through the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club. My fondest memories of him were handing out dictionaries to the 4th graders. He was funny and personable and kept the kids and teachers hanging on to his every word. He loved teasing the teachers by telling the kids that he was going to give the teachers a test on the longest word in the dictionary which was 26 letters! Dick was a delightful gentleman who personified our Optimist Creed. Rest in Peace, Dick. You will be greatly missed.