Richard Lane Kvasnicka of Oakley, KS passed away peacefully on November
30, 2022, at Logan County Senior Living at the age of 88. He was born on
October 31, 1934, on a farm north of Lucas, KS to Charles Everett
Kvasnicka and Amelia Keller Kvasnicka.
The Kvasnicka family moved to Colby, KS in 1951 while Richard remained
in Luray, KS to graduate with his high school class of 1952. Upon
graduation, he moved to Colby where he joined the Army and served as a
Specialist 5th Class stationed in Alaska.
Richard joined the Kansas Highway Patrol as a Trooper in 1957 while
living in Lawrence, KS. In June of 1959, he married Judith Ann Cleaver in
Chanute, KS. Their children Cheryl, Lane and Lynn were born while
living in Lawrence. He obtained his pilot’s license in 1961. In 1963, he
flew on the KHP aircraft crew where they patrolled the sky and highways
over northern Kansas.
The KHP transferred Richard to Oakley in 1964 to train new officers. In
1970 he was employed at Pioneer Feedyard. He was elected Logan County
Magistrate Judge in 1993 and served proudly for 12 years.
Upon his retirement in 2004, he continued enjoying gardening,
woodworking, motorcycling, and being an avid sports fan supporting the
Oakley Plainsmen and his beloved Kansas Jayhawks. Drinking lots of
coffee with friends was a favorite as well.
Service to his community included being a member of the Oakley City Council, Library Board and Logan County Fair Board.
Lifelong friendships from his neighborhood and community where invaluable to him.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Amelia; his
younger brothers Charles Jr. and Melvin; brother-in-law William
Slotterback and a half brother and sister, Farrell and Glenna.
He is survived by his wife Judith of Oakley, KS; daughters, Cheryl
Kvasnicka of Phoenix, AZ and Lynn (Chris) Vick of Royce City, TX; son
Lane (Sharon) Kvasnicka of Andover, KS; grandsons, Justin Kvasnicka of
Fort Collins, CO, Brett (Emily) Kvasnicka of Billings, MT, Tanner Vick
of Pittsburgh, KS and Tyler Kvasnicka (girlfriend Stevy Stauffer) of
Kansas City, MO; granddaughter Megan (Weston) Cottrell of Royse City,
TX; great grandchildren, Calvin, Jackson and Hayley Cottrell; sisters,
Charlotte Kvasnicka of Ellsworth, KS and Nancy Slotterback of Des
Moines, IA; sister-in-law Holly Hart of Peoria, AZ. He is also survived
by numerous nieces, nephews and friends that he loved dearly.
A celebration of life service will be held at the United Methodist
Church in Oakley at a future date.
Memorials may be made to Logan County Emergency Medical Services or Logan County Rehabilitation and Wellness Center and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.
For information or condolences, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.