Obituary for Richard L. Knowlton

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Dear Dixie, Al and family. You are heavy on our hearts. Our families were such good friends. We are blessed to have you among our friends. We know how difficult this is for you and are praying for your peace, comfort and strength. We wonder at the frequencey of the multiple losses we have faced but know God is in control. Just know that we think of you continually. We pray that you will feel His strength and faithfulness during this time. With much love, Cliff and Anita Bales

I just want to express condolences to your family from the Leonard and Irene Lee family. Your mom and dad were so dedicated to the Oxford Methodist Church and I recall the many times of sharing "Methodist" events with them. It is so sad to think that our parents and yours and so many others who were so influential in our lives while we were growing up are now gone from our earthly lives. But what a fine reunion they must be having in heaven! We are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Freeda (Lee) Steyer

Dixie, Matt and Chris, I was so sad when Leonard notified me of your Dad's death. I remember his wonderful smile and laugh. Your parents were wonderful people and a great influence on everyone they met. You are in my prayers. Alane

Dear Knowlton Family, We enjoyed Dick and Esther's friendship and Christian neighborliness as neighbors down the block. Of course, our "mom-by-heart", Anna Cook, treasured their presence and friendship; this block is seeming a little empty right now with the loss of all three of those folks. It's wonderful to think of Esther and Dick and Anna all rejoicing with Jesus, and impossible not to miss them. Extending our deepest sympathies, Bob and Charlotte Dulohery

We met Dick and Esther through Westlink Christian Church many years ago. He was always so pleasant and had a neat smile and loved and cared for Esther so well. We admired both your mother and father and were sad when they moved away. We will not be able to be at the memorial service because our daughter-in-law is having a heart procedure the day before it and we will be tending to grandchildren. May God bless you through the service.

I have known Dick since January 1982 when he hired me at Farm Credit. We spent many many weeks together on the road. This time we spent together was alway good and showd me just how much of a truly forgiving person he was. I am sure I tested his faith many times. Martha and I will always think of Dick and Esther as friends and were blessed to have known them. He spoke of his family often and never once failed to ask about ours. I know he was as prepared for his new journey as he worked towards it his whole life. I remember how he prepared for his summer hikes in the mountains. Many times I saw him with his backpack, full of can goods, walking and preparing for the next vacation, be it in Springer New Mexico or Altus Oklahoma. He was always looking forward to having a good time with his family. I will miss Dick very much.

Dear Friends, My Dad would be so honored by your kind words! You helped to make his life rich and full. Thank You!! My Dad was doing his usual 5am water workout when his heart just stopped. He walked right into heaven without a pause! We had joked that this might happen and I am so humbled and grateful that God honored that prayer for him. He never knew a stranger, loved a good joke, cared about what was happening with his friends/family and really missed Mom. We mutually adored each other! He is dancin with Mom now and I anticipate a reunion in heaven with them someday!

We are truely sorry for your loss. Dick was one of the truest friends a person could have. We had a life long friendship made through working at PCA. Esther and Dick were like family, and were greatly respected by all. True saints that will be greatly missed upon this earth. Whenever we could stop in and see them they offered us everything from a meal to a bed, and never thought twice about it. We visited with them both passing through to Colorado in 2002. We had many phone calls that were uplifting for all of us, with Esther's illness and Wilbur and mines cancer issues. We will miss him indeed. Anita and Wilbur I remember playing with Pepper the dauchsand in Harrisonville, when I was very young. I liked Pepper, but I don't think the feeling was mutual. Miss Esther could fix the best chicken salad ever. I remeber wooden puzzles and big squeezy hugs, and one of the deepest voices I'd ever heard as a child. The respect and admiration I feel for both your parents is more than I can explain. They were very important people to my family, and it always made my year to have Dick call and tell me how much he looked forward to our Christmas letter. He said that he would read it to Esther and they would laugh. He said it made him remeber the good old days with their kids. I know the past 4 or 5 years were very hard, but he always found a positive in all the sea of blue. Dick will be greatly missed as a lifelong family friend to our Slocum family. He was an absolute blessing and I am blessed to have known him. God bless you in your time of loss, you are all in our prayers. Pam and Chester Jones (Middle daughter of Wilbur and Anita)

I knew Dick and Esther for years. Dick had a warm spirit and a positive attitude everytime I spoke with him. He was always concerned and wanted updates on me and my family everytime we spoke. I will truly miss him and my warmest condolences to your family in this time of loss.

Dixie, Matt, Chris and families: We are praying for all of you. We know how very hard this is and know that with faith you will be able to get through it. Your Mom and Dad were very special to my Mom and Dad and I know that Esther, Dick and Duane are all having a great reunion free of disease. Mom and Dad loved visiting with them whenever they had the chance. Mom reminded me that she and Dick used to play softball together and being cousins went to lots of family gatherings. Please know that we are keeping you in our thoughts. Love,

Dear Dixie, Matt and Chris, I have been so slow to get to writing this. I have thought of you often since Mom shared with me of your father’s death. Actually, I had been thinking of you since hearing of Esther’s death. I don’t know if you realize it or not, but I live where I live primarily because of your family. I remember coming for dinner one time at your home there in Harrisonville and watching slides of a family vacation you had just returned from. You had gone to Washington State. What year was that? I thought, that must be the most beautiful place in the world. As is turns out, there are many beautiful places, but Washington is where we have chosen to live. And it turns out to be just as beautiful as the slides were and as Dick and Esther described. It was so special when we first moved here (1993) that your parents soon were in Washington and “camping” nearby. It seemed like a full circle, not only to be in Washington, but to be with Dick and Esther. I always felt cheated that I didn’t have Esther for my sixth grade teacher, but how could I complain. We had the best, our families were friends and I could go on and on about the school bus camper and being at the lake… Your parents were amazing people and I was blessed to know your family. I, too, do water exercise, I think my mother wanted to hold back on telling me that part, but I could so relate to the joy of that. There is something about being in/near water that is ever so peaceful. Someday, if you ever are in Washington, we are here among the big trees. Joni (Buesing) Brand

Dads Friends! Thank-you for your thoughts and wishes for and about Richard Leon Knowlton, Dad. Having read the first 4 postings the tears are welling for the man I loved and learned so many lessons from. These are not tears for Dad, cause he is where he has long desired to be and now knows so many things he has always had questions about but had the strength of faith to believe and accept. Plus, he's with the other love of his life, Esther, Mom. What a story of devotion and commitment. A story that has a happy ending. Mom went ahead to get things ready and Dad lovingly followed. What could be better? Thanks to all, and Praise the Lord!

Dix, Chris, and Matt - I'm so glad I had the opportunity to know your Dad. I will remember that he always welcomed us in your home and was a faithful and loving husband and father. That is a legacy to be thankful for!

Dick Knowlton profoundly influenced my life and ministry. In 1983, following a seven year ministry in Brazil, I was pondering the directions for my life and ministry. I wanted to start a new ministry focused on portuguese-speaking peoples in the United States. I shared the idea with Dick and his wife Esther. They sent me a check for $500.00. It was the first contribution received by the Hisportic Christian Mission. The contribution confirmed God's call. The ministry was launched. Today more than 49 churches have been started in the US, Brazil and Guinea-Bissau. Hundreds of people worship in these churches. Hundreds have been baptized into Christ. Dick and Esther continued to invest in the Hisportic Christian Mission in the following years. I am profoundly grateful for the influence they had on my personal life. Our loss is heaven's gain. Dr. Wayne A. Long

I met Dick 2 1/2 years ago at the Ames Racquet and Fitness pool, which he frequented at 5:30am to exercise. He was often the first one there, before the doors opened, to chat others who came early. He talked a lot about his family, his wife, his great-grand children, and the exasperating dog he had to watch sometimes. He always asked me about my children and how they were doing. He taught me a few things about growing tomatoes too. We'll miss his friendly face and conversation at the pool. It was an honor to know him.

I'll save them for in person Dixie. You father was a warm and gracious person who loved people because he Loved God. He was always fun to talk to and had your sense of humor. hmmm? We'll see you guys soon. Love Steve & Anne

Dear Dixie, Matt, and Chris, I just wanted to express my condolences to each one of you in the loss of your wonderful Dad. I know what you are going through and please know you will be in my prayers. I always enjoyed your Dad and he was the only man in my life that stuck me head first down a 50 gallon drum full of water. Tom and I were pestering your Dad and sure enough, he picked me up and put me head first in the water. We were all doing concrete up at your Grandpa's farm. Very funny...he will be greatly missed. My love and best wishes to each of you, Dan Gassett

Dear Dixie, Chris and Matt: I have fond memories of the many times I stayed with May and Fred at the farm-helping with chores when possible and especially with Dick during wheat harvest--we used to empty the truck with shovels!! One time while visiting when Dick was in college, he flew home in a Piper Cub-landing in the pasture. He gave me my first airplane ride. What a thrill!! An experience I'll never forget. I,m a better person for knowing him!