Richard Clasen
Richard "Dick" West Clasen, 65, of Eureka, Dec. 9, 2007, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.
He was born Nov. 17, 1942, at Norborne, Mo., to George Henry and Margaret Anita (West) Clasen.
The family relocated to Florence in 1948. He attended Florence Elementary and High School. Richard excelled at distance running, and won the state half-mile his senior year, and still holds the state record. He graduated from high school in 1959. After graduation he attended Emporia State University.
He married Linnie Ann Hicks in August 1962.
Clasen began his newspaper career as editor of the Florence Bulletin in 1964. The family relocated to Yates Center where he was co-publisher and editor of the Yates Center News. Richard and Linnie later divorced.
On Sept. 14, 1974, he married B. Rachel Smith at Yates Center.
In June of 1976, the Greenwood County Publishing Co., was organized and purchased The Eureka Herald. His wife Rachel was named president of the corporation and Richard was named secretary/treasurer of the corporation and he also served as the editor and publisher of the newspaper until his death.
While in Eureka, he was president of the Kansas Press Association (1988), the Fourth District Editors Association, the church council of Christ Lutheran Church, and the Eureka Kiwanis Club.
He served a term on the board of directors of the Eureka Area Chamber of Commerce, was on Eureka USD 389 steering committee for the planning of new schools, and served on a variety of other committees. He also was an active member of a number of national, state, and local organizations.
He was preceded in death by his father, an infant sister, and a daughter, Regina Alyse, who died at birth.
Survivors include his wife, Rachel, of Eureka; his mother, Margaret Clasen of Eureka; one brother, David Clasen of Seattle, Wash.; five children, Robert Clasen and his wife Kelly, of Belton, Mo., Kathy Schwar and husband Bill, of Scottsdale, Ariz., Shari Hendrickson and husband Jim of Overland Park, Becky Schultz and husband Tim of Park City, and Robin Clasen of Park City; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Saturday afternoon at Eureka Junior/Senior High School Gymnasium.
Memorials have been established with the Christ Lutheran Church of Eureka, the Shiners Children's Hospital, or the Kansas Press Association Endowment Fund. Memorials may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, who is in charge of arrangements.
