Richard Leland McKittrick (1928-2020)
Richard Leland McKittrick of Manhattan, died Tuesday Feb. 4, 2020 at Meadowlark Scenic House for Memory Care in Manhattan.
He was born May 24, 1928 in Wilson, Kan., the only son and fifth child, to Joseph Leland and Martha Desdia Alderson McKittrick.
After graduation from Wilson High School he taught for one year in a rural one room school. The next two years, he worked at the local flour mill as a night watchman, then enrolled at Fort Hays State College to earn his degree in secondary education.
Richard taught at Randolph High School for eight years, beginning in old Randolph. The last four years he was the principal/superintendent at Randolph. Then he moved to Manhattan and was an administrator at USD 383. He was the clerk of the Board of Education and Director of Budget and Property Resources for many years. He continued his education at Kansas State University by earning his PHD in Education.
On June 17, 1954 he married Margaret Rozella Klema, in Wilson, Kan. They knew each other since first grade and enjoyed 65 years of marriage last summer.
Richard is survived by: Richard J. McKittrick, M.D. and his wife Beverly; Sandra McKittrick; and Kathryn Wichmann and her husband Tony; grandchildren, Melissa, Sarah, Christa, and Andrew McKittrick; Kaitlin, Paul, Kelly and Luke Wichmann; and Dillon Drahota.
Richard was known for his sharp wit and sense of humor. He enjoyed hunting for arrowheads, fishing, and multiple trips to Europe and abroad with Marge. He was involved in the Lion’s Club for many years.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 6–7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the First Lutheran Church, Manhattan with Pastor Liz Kocher officiating. Private family inurnment will occur at a future date at the family plot in Wilson, Kan.
Memorial contributions for Manhattan Public Library or Meadowlark Scenic House for Memory Care may be left with Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kan. 66502.