Richard D. Lowe, son of Floyd W. and Gladys (Council) Lowe was born on December 8, 1931 in Winona, Kansas. He passed away on April 17, 2021 in Caldwell, Kansas.
He attended elementary and high school in Winona, participating in a wide variety of school activities and graduating as valedictorian of his class. After a year of college and a short stint of working for the Santa Fe Railroad in Colorado, he returned to his hometown where he accepted employment at the Farmers State Bank as bookkeeper and teller. He continued this work for the next fifteen years, advancing to a position of Cashier and Director. He was active in a number of civic affairs, serving as president of the Winona Lions Club, Chairman of the Logan County Young Republicans, and treasurer of the Sixth District Young Republicans. As such, in 1964 he attended the Republican national convention in San Francisco.
In 1960, he began writing a weekly editorial column in the local newspaper for which he received a number of state awards and had several of them reprinted in such far-flung places as San Diego and Montgomery, Alabama as well as a number of Kansas newspapers. He continued this endeavor until his departure from Winona.
In 1966, he moved to Caldwell, Kansas where he took a position with the Stock Exchange Bank as cashier. He remained with the bank for the next thirty years, advancing to Vice President, Executive Vice President, and finally President. While in Caldwell, he served as president of the Caldwell Lions Club and the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, as well as Chairman of the Housing Authority and Carnegie Library Board. In 1993, he served as treasurer for the group organizing the Centennial celebration of the opening of the Cherokee Strip. As a member of this group, he served on the committee for establishing the historical signs which now dot the length of downtown main street. He wrote a copy for several of the lengthier signs. In 1997, he retired from the Stock Exchange Bank, but remained active as a consultant and director. In 2012 he retired as a director.
In 1989, he took charge of the Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Medallion Search, which proved to be extremely popular and with which he continued annually for the next fifteen years without interruption.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, companion Kenneth Henry, sisters Irmalee Eggleston and Eleanor Sponsel; niece, Tonya and nephew, Patrick.
He is survived by his nephew Gary and wife Susan Eggleston, niece Stephanie and husband Mark Thornton; 8 great-nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at Caldwell City Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2021.
Memorials may be made to the Caldwell Historical Society or to the Sumner County Dist. #1 Hospital Construction Fund and sent in care of the mortuary.
Condolences
So sorry for your loss
Laverne P Chapman - 04/19/2021
Dick was such a sweet, kind and fun loving man. I met him while working at Karl's grocery store. I and other friends would share a table with Dick at the Last Chance every night for dinner and he always had a few things to say, some made all of us laugh.. Once he started losing his eye sight some one (including me) would go by once in a while and pick him up for dinner. He will truly missed by lots of friends.
RIP Richard. Tell Kenneth HI!
Debbie - 04/20/2021
RIP Richard. Tell Kenneth HI!!
