Richard Ralph Reinhardt

Richard (Dick) Ralph Reinhardt was a common man that lived his life extraordinarily well. He was born February 8, 1934, in Chanute, KS. His parents, Ralph and Lotos (Cunningham) Reinhardt, owned and operated a dairy farm east of Chanute. Dick graduated from Chanute High School in 1951 where he was active in Chanute FFA. Dick spent one year at Chanute Junior College before starting at Kansas State University and serving as the Kansas State FFA Treasurer. Dick filled his time at KSU with judging teams (1953 Poultry and 1954 Livestock), the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Collegiate 4-H, and the ROTC.

Dick met his wife, Linda (Rundle), at the Kansas State Fair in September 1953. He made his first move when he and Linda were showing lambs at the KSU Little American Royal. After Dick’s graduation from Kansas State (BS Animal Husbandry ‘55) they were married on June 5, 1955, at the Hayes Methodist Church in Clay Center, KS. Dick spent 2 years as a pilot in the Air Force. After flight training, he was an instructor pilot at Vance Air Base in a B-25. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in early 1958. Dick learned quickly as a 4-H extension agent in Greenwood County that he didn’t want a desk job, and in 1959, Dick became a herdsman for Sutor Hereford Farms in Zurich, Kansas. In November 1967, Dick and Linda moved their family home to the Reinhardt Dairy Farm east of Chanute to join the partnership with his brother, sister-in-law (Loy and Janis), and parents. Dick and Linda have three children Terri Sue (Jim) DeGeer, Randy (Cheryl) Reinhardt, and Amy Jo (Randy) Schnebbe. Dick would spend the next 50+ years raising kids, crops, and cattle.

Dick believed in serving his community and gave his time generously. He was a leader in the Best Yet 4-H Club and Big Creek United Methodist Church. Dick served on the local school board, local Rural Electric Cooperative Board, State Board of Agriculture, State Fair Board, KSU Alumni Association Board of Directors, and State Board of Regents. As a member of the Kansas State House of Representatives for 12 years from 1989-2000, Dick made many contributions to Kansas, but perhaps the one he was most proud of was his role in creating, building consensus, and ultimately passing SB 345 the Higher Education Reform Act in 1999. This important legislation changed the way higher education was funded and governed. It moved the community colleges out of the Kansas State Board of Education and into the Kansas Board of Regents with the other state universities for improved coordination of degree programs and credit transfers.

Dick was often recognized by his height, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat. Those that were fortunate enough to know him, knew that he never let politics get in the way of policy and would always do what he said. Dick taught his family how to work hard and follow through on promises. He led by example with his steadfast faith in God. Life lessons he shared with his kids and grandkids include: a good pair of boots will last a lifetime, don’t talk just to hear yourself speak, add something to the conversation, and turn that steer like you’re driving a truck with a trailer behind you. Finally, he taught us that leadership requires direction: lead clearly, lead with purpose, and don’t cut corners to get there faster. Dick was an avid Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas State University fan, but he’d watch any ballgame that was on. He loved German chocolate cake and ice cream, but the great loves of Dick’s life were Linda, cattle, and flying.

Richard/Dick/Dad/Grandpa/Brother/Uncle Dick passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026 in Chanute, KS. He is survived by his wife, Linda, their three children, Terri Sue and Jim DeGeer of Erie, KS, Randy and Cheryl Reinhardt of Overland Park, KS, and Amy Jo and Randy Schnebbe of Victor, IA, 5 grandchildren (Melissa Myers, Staci DeGeer, Zach (Sarah) Reinhardt, Jordan (Michael) Emley, and Meredith Schnebbe), and 2 great-grandchildren (Timothy Myers and Henry Reinhardt). As well as his sisters-in-law, Janis Reinhardt and Ileen Bean, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Loy Reinhardt, brother-in-law, Monty Bean, and his parents.

In lieu of flowers memorials in his name may be made to Big Creek United Methodist Church, Neosho County 4-H Development Fund, Kansas FFA Foundation (Reinhardt Scholarship), or Kansas State University (Reinhardt Scholarship) and may be sent in care of Wickham Family Funeral Home 500 N Forest Ave; Chanute, KS, 66720.

A visitation will be Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 5-7PM at Wickham Family Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 10AM at the First United Methodist Church in Chanute, Kansas. Burial will be directly following the service at Big Creek Cemetery.

Services are under the personal care of Wickham Family Funeral Home, 500 North Forest Avenue, Chanute, Kansas 66720.