Richard S. Funderburgh

In loving memory of our beloved father, Richard S. Funderburgh, entered into rest on January 27th, at the age of 82, in Porter Hospice at the Johnson Center, Centennial, CO. Dick was born on May 2, 1930, in Sabetha, KS to Ernest S. and Minnie Belle Funderburgh. His wife of 40 years, Neva, predeceased him in March of 1989. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Scholl, LaVern, CA; his son, Michael R. Vonderburgh, wife Wendy and daughter Ashley, Honolulu, HI; his daughter Gina G. Funderburgh, Santa Barbara, CA and her son, Garrett Silva of Los Angeles, CA; sister-in-law Shirley Scott, Denver, CO; niece Tracie Larson, Denver, CO; niece Jan Spicer, LaVern, CA; nephew Doug Scholl; Los Angeles, CA; and his companion Caroline Kendall and her daughters, Laurel Johnson of Castle Rock, CO and Larkin Wiegart of Buena Vista, CO. Dick was a resident of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He began his life in Sabetha, Kansas on the family farm. His parents were dedicated leadership servants of the Trinity Brethren Church in Sabetha. He attended the Pleasant Valley School north of Sycamore Springs and Sabetha High School playing on the championship football team in '47-'48, as a running back. Neva and Dick were high school sweethearts and married in May of 1949 while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. He was based in Grand Prairie, TX (where their son Michael was born); Honolulu, Hawaii, Olathe, Kansas and San Diego, California. After the Navy, he worked for Westinghouse in Kansas City (where their daughter Gina was born), while continuing to log hours in the air. They then moved to Chanute, KS, where he flew the mail run for the local paper and was a flight instructor. Dick was hired by Capital Airlines in 1957 and then he and Neva moved to Ypsilanti, MI. When Capital merged with United Air Lines; he continued to fly and retire from UAL as a Captain on the 747 after 30 years. After retirement he maintained his aeronautical enthusiasm with his favorite Beechcraft Baron and Bonanza airplanes at Centennial Airport in Colorado. In addition to flying, his hobbies included woodworking, having a deep love and appreciation for classical, jazz and Christian music and treasuring his two cats; Cleo and Socksy. Dick's tender heart and love of God and family were the cornerstones of his character. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 10:30am, Trinity Brethren Church, 12 Ohio Street in Sabetha, Kansas. Interment to follow at Centralia Cemetery in Centralia, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard's name to MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter, 1025 Galapago Street, Denver, CO 80204 (303) 595-4917. Please share your memories of Richard and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.