Richard (Dick) Nelson Elkins, 89, passed away at home in Manhattan, Kansas on Sunday, December 10,2023 following a two-year battle with cancer.
Dick was born on February 10, 1934, in Clay Center, Kansas to Howard (Bud) and Mary Josephine (Jo) Elkins (nee Stephenson). Dick grew up on a farm south of Wakefield, Kansas.
Dick graduated from Wakefield High School and Kansas State University with a BS in Agricultural Education and a MS in Guidance Counseling. Dick married Arlene Fehlman on July 28, 1956, in Wakefield, Kansas. Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 and the Army Reserve until 1962. Son, Marc was born in 1957 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Dick taught at Mankato High School, Mankato, Kansas where daughter, Marcia was born in 1959. He went on to work as a Guidance Counselor at Beloit High School, Beloit, Kansas where daughter, Michelle was born in 1964.
Dick returned to Kansas State University in 1966 where he was hired as the Assistant Director of Admissions and subsequently promoted to Associate Director and then Director of Admissions serving the University for 32 years. Dick traveled to every part of the State to talk to high school students and parent about attending KSU. He loved working with students to help them find the right place for them to continue their education. Dick made lifelong friends across the state with High School teachers, Guidance Counselors and other College and University Admissions personnel.
Dick shared his love of travel, history, boating, camping, snow skiing and the outdoors with his children. Dick was proud of his children and grandchildren and the lives they have made, and he delighted in the four great-grandchildren. Dick and Arlene traveled extensively enjoying trips across the U.S. and to six continents.
Upon retirement, Dick and Arlene started an antique business meeting people and making antique friends across country. Dick was a true Kansas farm boy who could fix anything and spent hours tinkering in the garage. Throughout retirement, Dick enjoyed meeting his morning coffee crew.
Dick is greatly missed by his wife, Arlene; his son Marc (Jana) Elkins of Leawood, Kansas, daughter Marcia Elkins, Rapid City, South Dakota, and daughter Michelle Elkins, Manhattan, Kansas; grandchildren, Jeff (Sara) Elkins, and Jeni (Coby) Houser, and four great-grandchildren; along with brothers, Bud Elkins, and Bob (Donetta) Elkins.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Jo Elkins, sister-in-law Kay Elkins and son-in-law Ron Buskerud.
Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday January 6, 2024 at 10:30a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth in Manhattan. Private inurnment will be held at a later date at the Highland Cemetery in Wakefield, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation to the Wakefield Museum Building Fund, c/o Wakefield Museum, PO Box 193, Wakefield, KS 67487.
Contributions may also be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.