Richard Carpenter

Richard L. Carpenter Richard Rick Lee Carpenter of Neodesha, Kansas, died Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at the Golden Keys Nursing Home of complications from MS. He was 58 years of age. Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial service will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008, at Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel. The son of Gerald Jerry L. and Meredith Greer Carpenter, he was born December 7, 1949, at Bartlesville, OK. He was raised in Neodesha where he attended school, graduating from Neodesha High School in 1967. While at NHS, Rick was active in high school sports and the American Legion baseball program. Following his graduation from high school, he played football at Independence Community College. In the early 1970s, Rick served with the US Naval Reserve and the US Navy. Following his military service, he entered Wichita State University, graduating in 1976. While at WSU, he served as an announcer for WSU basketball games. On August 2, 1975, he was united in marriage to Floretta Gerstner in Wichita, KS. She survives at the home. Rick began his 23-year career with the US Postal Service in Wichita before becoming a carrier and supervisor in Independence, KS. He later served as Postmaster at Altamont before becoming disabled. He than served as the Recreation Director for the City of Neodesha for several years. He also was the announcer for Neodesha High School football games for several years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Tyson Carpenter of Independence, KS, and Ryan Carpenter of Lawrence, KS; his father, Gerald L. Carpenter of Neodesha; one brother, Kent Carpenter of Neodesha; and two sisters, Julie LaBarr and Kelle Pierce, both of Neodesha. He is preceded in death by his mother, Meredith Carpenter. Memorial contributions may be made to either Harry Hynes Hospice or the Neodesha Alumni Association and may be left at the funeral home.