Richard Newton Black...Age 74

VISITATION: 1-2PM SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2014 at EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME.

FOLLOWED BY: GRAVESIDE SERVICE with MILITARY HONORS: 2:30PM LANE CEMETERY, LANE, KANSAS

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Richard Newton Black age 74, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas.

Richard was born July 29, 1940 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, the third of four children born to Harold Jerard and Marian Harriet (Gwin) Black.

The family moved to the Richmond, Kansas area and Richard attended primary school for three years in Richmond. Later they moved to Lane, Kansas and he completed his education in the Lane schools, graduating from Lane High School with the class of 1958.

After graduating from high school Richard attended Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas for one year. He was employed with several different odd jobs until 1961 when he enlisted in the United State Navy. He was an Aviation Structural Mechanic while in the military. Richard served in Vietnam during the war and was honorably discharged in 1968.

After being discharged he attended school in Tulsa, Oklahoma to get a license in Air-frames and Power-frames, this was the start of his many years of employment with aircraft manufacturers.

Richard was his own person and was always on a new adventure to a different state to work on aircraft in some manner or another. He worked for Boeing Aircraft two or three different times both in Wichita, Kansas and Seattle, Washington. He also worked for Learjet in Wichita, Kansas and the United States Government in Aircraft Maintenance. His work history was mainly with the aircraft industry however he was very proud to tell you he worked for legendary drag car racer Connie Kallita as a mechanic for twelve years in Michigan.

Richard never married but he loved his family, his siblings, nieces and nephews and his great nephews Indy and Gunner Hood who he picked up every day after school.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Frances Ann Corner and one niece Pamela Zwick.

He is survived by two brothers: Harold Jerard "Jerry" (Carol) Black of Kirksville, MO and John (Deloris) Black of Liberal, KS. Two nieces: Cheryl (Derrick) Smith of Osawatomie, KS and Susan (Curtis) Hood of Osawatomie, KS, two nephews: Jeff (Marsha) Edwards of Wellsville, KS and Bert Edwards of Osawatomie, KS, along with many other nieces, nephews and family members.