Richard Lester Priestley

Richard Lester Priestley, 81, of Tecumseh, was born in Atchinson, Kansas on October 25, 1943, and died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in a tragic tractor accident in his barn. He was the son of Fred Melbern Priestley and Lola Bernice Molz Priestley, both deceased, and the brother of Russell Neil Priestley, also deceased. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Guyana Priestley, and three nephews, Bill (Robyn) Priestley, Brett (Rae) Priestley, and Bobby (Donna) Priestley, many great nephews, great nieces and their spouses and his special friend, Teena.

Richard’s parents were primary and secondary school teachers, and in that capacity, they moved from town to town-Hoyt, Effingham, Centralia, Lincolnville, Harveyville, and Sabetha, where they were contracted to teach. They moved to Centralia in 1954 where Richard lived until he graduated from Centralia High School in 1961. He went on to Emporia State University and graduated in 1967 with a degree in psychology and sociology.

He began his career as a psychiatric social worker at Osawatomie State Hospital in Osawatomie, Kansas. In 1969, he accepted a position at the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas in a program that focused on diabetes, cancer, and stroke. In 1971, he accepted a position to direct the licensing agency for Adult Care Administrators with Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Topeka, Kansas. He retired in 1983.

Richard was one of the most remarkable and resourceful individuals his friends and acquaintances had ever experienced even though he was completely blind for that last forty years of his life. He was a quiet, charming man. In 1975, he purchased land with a pre-civil war stone house in Tecumseh, Kansas, just east of Topeka, and spent 20 years restoring it to a better than original condition.

Richard was an expert outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing and all the flora and fauna of nature. He especially enjoyed fishing for trout in the Cache la Poudre River west of Ft. Collins, Colorado. He was an excellent carpenter, mechanic, and gardener. Though he slowly had to give up these interests, he never once complained, never felt sorry for himself, and was stubbornly independent. His friends admired and loved him greatly and will never forget his “can-do” and generous spirit.

In 2011, at his 50th high school graduation anniversary, he wrote that “My life is as full as I wish it to be. I’m as busy as I want to be and thoroughly enjoy all my friends and love and enjoy each and everyone.”

As per Richard's wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are planned.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with service arrangements.

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