Richard (Dick)DanielHedges was born August 22, 1938to Lawrence and Marjorie (Daniel)Hedges in Fort Scott, KS. He grew up on a farm near Blue Mound, attended Blue Mound schools graduating from Blue Mound High School in 1956.
Growing up, he was involved in a number of school activities including sports, music, FFA, annual, and school paper staff. His senior year he was invited to participate in the National FFA band playing his clarinet.
After an active athletic career in high school, Dick enrolled at Baker University and made an impact on the football team playing center and nose guard. Weighing in at 170 lbs., he made up for his lack of size by playing with intensity. He lettered all four years and was named to the 1stteamAll-Kansas AthleticConference team his junior and senior years. He was inducted into the Baker University AthleticHall of Fame in 2008.
Following graduation from the baker, he began a career that would take him from teaching and coaching in several high schools in Kansas to the presidency at FSCCcollege and being named to the Kansas Board of Regents. He managed by walking around,making recorded lists, delegating tasks and was very good at“getting things done”.
He married Karen Prather, a co-teacher at BaldwinHigh SchoolDecember 27, 1964. They had two sons, Lance and Kyle. Both Karen and Dick were active in the irrespective schools, church and community. As a family, they enjoyed a wide variety of sports, outdoor activities, hunting, fishing and traveling . Karen died unexpectedly in August of 2006.
A Christmas note reconnectedDick to Janice (Jan) Streckerin 2010. Their families had become good friends during the two years Dickworked in Hutchinson, KS. Dick and Janweremarried August 14, 2011. After three retirements by each of them, they opened a bookstore, Hedgehog.INK!, in downtown Fort ScottinOctober of 2018.
Dick has been a member of the Fort Scott United Methodist Church for 54 years, he wrote a weekly column for the Fort Scott Tribune for 52 years. He was a teacher, coach, principal, and FSCC president three different times. He had short stints in private industry, Greenbush Educational Center, and Johnson CountyTechnical School. He served the community of Fort Scott as a city commissioner –14 years and mayor 3 years. He served on the Mercy Hospital Board, FSCCBoard of Trustees and Endowmentcommittee, AreaCommunityFoundation Board, as well as many other leadership roles. He was instrumental in the building of the Ellis Fine Arts Center and creating the Gordon Parksmuseum. He was a member of the Fort Scott RotaryClub.
Dick is preceded in death by an infant brother, his parents, his wife Karen and son Lance. Survivors include his wife, Jan of the home,son Kyle and wife TinaKeating Hedges, Bolivar, MO, daughter-in-
lawStaceyHedges, Garnett, KS, step-sons Scott Strecker Portland, O Rand Stuart Strecker Lawrence, KS, one brother TomHedges, Kansas City, MO, one sisterDonna and husband Wilfred Lehmann, LeRoy, KS. Six grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren with one more to arrive in July. A number of nieces, nephews and friends.
Dick has impacted the lives of more people than he will ever know. His style of teaching, coaching and leadership have inspired those who knew and worked with him to reach higher, to learn more, and to pay it forward. He was a true public servant in every sense of the word.
Rev. Christopher Eshleman will conduct funeral services Wednesday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery Fort Scott, KS. A visitation will be held at CheneyWittChapel Tuesday, March 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Fort ScottCommunityCollege Foundation or Fort Scott First United Methodist Church and may be left in care oftheCheneyWittChapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
