Richard “Dick” Lee Sengpiehl

Long-time Lawrence Kansas resident, Richard “Dick” Lee Sengpiehl, passed away on November 1, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was 86.

Dick was born to Evelyn Glavys Hardeman and Walter Oscar Sengpiehl of Parsons, Kansas, on January 28, 1937. He often spoke fondly of growing up in a small town, playing sports, summers spent at Camp Wood near Cottonwood Falls, and learning from his dad how to get along with everyone and sell almost anything. He was on the Dean’s Honor Roll all four years of  high school and lettered in football, basketball, and track.

After high school, Dick attended the University of Kansas where he joined Beta Theta Pi and served as an Officer Training Candidate for the U.S. Marine Corps. After graduating in 1959 with a B.S. in Business, he was stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, where he served as a Supply Officer and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. Throughout his life, Dick was proud to be a Marine. 

Following his military service, Dick took graduate classes at the Business School at UCLA before going to work in marketing at Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco. After two years, he was promoted to Bank Officer. 

In 1962, Dick married Gwendolyn Gray (KU class of 1960).  They lived in San Francisco until 1967 when they moved back to his hometown of Parsons where Dick owned and managed Sengpiehl Furniture, one of the largest retail furniture stores in southeast Kansas. While in Parsons he served as Chairman of the Recreation Commission,  was a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, was nominated by the Jaycees for the Young Businessman of the Year award, and was a Founder and President of the Parsons Fine Arts Commission. 

In 1981, Dick sold the family business and moved to Lawrence, KS where he became the sales representative for Barcalounger. He covered Kansas and Western Missouri and won the company’s “Best in the USA” award in 1985. In 1987, he added  Leick Occasional, Riley Holliday Entertainment Centers, and Marcsman Lamps to the list; positions he held until 2008. SK Products and Charles Schneider Upholstery were also lines he represented. He was a fantastic salesman who understood the challenges of both large and small businesses and had a down to earth yet experienced way with people.

In 1984, Dick married Mary Ann Adams, a teacher and musician.  They had many wonderful adventures throughout the years they spent together. Their love also endured many hardships, including Dick’s fight with leukemia, and a spinal cord injury that almost cost him his ability to walk. Mary Ann supported him through these trials, even driving so he could maintain his sales routes. In later years, Dick cared for Mary Ann when she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, helping her stay in their home as long as possible. Dick made sure that Mary Ann had lots of music therapy with the Students at KU and joined the Ku Intergenerational Choir with  Mary Ann.

Throughout his many years in Lawrence, Dick was an active member of the community. He attended Plymouth Congregational Church, where he sat on many committees and served as both a Deacon and a Stephens Minister. He enjoyed Rotary Club meetings and was a devout KU Jayhawk fan. Dick also enjoyed attending lectures at the Dole and Hall Centers and was a patron of the arts, attending concerts and plays, especially at the Lied Center. In his 70’s Dick learned about his community by going door to door working for the census bureau.  

 Politics were also a big part of his life. Dick was a campaign worker, canvasser, and poll watcher. Over the years, he contributed many editorial pieces to the Lawrence Journal World, all of which he spent hours researching and re-writing until they were just right. He believed strongly in using his voice and supporting causes that would “leave a better world for his grandchildren”.  

Dick’s family,  which included golden retriever Max, was his joy. His house was full of pictures of his children, step-children, and grandkids. He delighted in telling people about their accomplishments, both professional and personal . Phone calls and visits were looked forward to and appreciated. He was extremely proud of all his children.  

Dick enjoyed making his friends and family laugh. His jokes and humor helped make light of difficult situations. The laughter, faith, and his strong will to fight through tough times have been an inspiring example for his friends and our family.  

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jane Sengpiehl, and his wife, Mary Ann Adams. He is survived by his daughter, Adrienne Sengpiehl(partner John Flanagan)and grandsons Oliver and Elliott Herbert of San Francisco, CA; daughter Lillian Sengpiehl (husband Dan Schnelle)granddaughter Evelyn Schnelle of Los Angeles, CA; Their mother Gwendolyn Gray Sengpiehl of Topeka KS; stepdaughter Kendra Metz (husband Tim) and grandson Owen of Lawrence, KS; stepson Galen Adams(wife Letisha)and granddaughters Loralei and Coraline of Emporia, KS; and his niece, Laurie Rutz Davis of Roeland Park, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Dick’s memory at Plymouth Congregational Church on April 2, 2024 at 11:00 am. Colorful clothing encouraged- especially KU crimson and blue. 

 In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in support of Music Therapy students at the University of Kansas. Please direct gifts to KU Endowment Association, (music therapy dept.) P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928, or you may give securely online at kuendowment.org/music . Please enter “Music Therapy Program” in the “My gift will benefit box”.  Checks may also be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.  Music therapy meant so much to Dick and his wife Mary Ann over the last years of their lives together.