Michael Wayne Richard

Michael Wayne Richard, 82, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at his home in Stilwell, Kansas. He was born on November 12, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama to Julian and Marie (Stacey) Richard.

Wayne grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where he graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1960. After high school, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in June 1964 with a degree in Military Science. Five and a half years of active duty with the U.S. Army followed graduation with two tours of duty being served in the Republic of Vietnam in 1965-66 and 1969. After an honorable discharge from the United States Army in 1969, Wayne attended Kansas State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree from 1970-1971. 

Wayne and Sharon Ann Gigstad met while he was stationed at Fort Riley near Junction City, Kansas and Sharon was a student at Kansas State University. Wayne's commanding officer was dating one of Sharon's sorority sisters, who insisted that Sharon and Wayne meet. With reluctance after several declinations, Sharon finally agreed to go on a blind date with Wayne on January 16, 1965. Later that night, Sharon wrote a letter to her brother to let him know that she had just met the man she would marry someday. Wayne and Sharon were married on December 30, 1966 at Zion Lutheran Church in Everest, Kansas. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding Anniversary. Their marriage was blessed by the births of three healthy daughters and many years later by the births of eight grandchildren. 

Wayne's working days were spent in three careers. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1969; a structural engineer with Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers from 1972 to 2002; and a high school math and science teacher at Kansas City Christian School from 2003 to 2008. He enjoyed many hobbies: playing the violin in the Olathe Community Orchestra for 41 years, golf, building a pipe organ, traveling, hiking in Colorado, geo-caching and attending as many of his grandchildren's events and concerts as possible. 

Wayne and Sharon's faith has always been a very important part of their lives together and they continued to be active in church and church activities while in the armed services and as civilians after the service days were over. For the last 21 years, they have attended the Blue Valley Church in Overland Park, Kansas.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Marie Richard and his brothers, Don Julian Richard and Patrick Henry Richard.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Gigstad Richard of the home; his daughters Melissa Ribeiro of Woodbury, Minnesota; Mitzi (Matt) Edwards of Spring Hill, Kansas; Renee (Kyle) Riedel of Lindsborg, Kansas; and his grandchildren Hunter and Logan Ribeiro, Maverick Marshall and Monet Edwards and Maggie, Roxy and Mason Riedel. 

His Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Blue Valley Church, 8925 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66221. A private burial will follow in Everest, Kansas.