Richard Bardsley

Richard Bardsley, age 93, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on December 31, 2015, at Northpoint Skilled Nursing Center, Paola, Kansas. Dick was the youngest of five children born to Walter and Louisa (Whittle) Bardsley. He was born on October 18, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dick grew up in Philadelphia, and graduated from Simon Gratz High School with the class of 1940. Following high school Dick's family moved to Clearwater, Florida. Dick enrolled in the University of Florida and completed his pre-dental courses. He went on to earn a degree in dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national honor society for dental students in the top 10% of their class. In 1945 he was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve with a rank of Lt (jg) and was stationed with the Marines in San Diego, California. While in San Diego he met "a cute little blond navy nurse" and asked her to dance, thus "determining the course of their lives for the next 57 years" (in his words). On April 5, 1946 Dick married Helen Winfrey in San Diego, California. He served as a dentist while in the Navy. He was also stationed in Guam and the Naval Air Station in Atlantic City. He made his home by the bay in West Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1949, after resigning his commission, Dick opened his dental practice in Pleasantville, New Jersey. In 1963 Dick and his family moved to Linwood, New Jersey, and in 1973 he moved his practice into his home, as well. He remained there until retiring in 1987 when he & Helen moved to Helen's hometown of Garnett, Kansas. Dick had many interests and believed in giving of himself to make a positive contribution. He joined Rotary International in 1950, traveled to the Amazon twice and Jamaica once as a volunteer dentist, and returned to Brazil as the chair of a Rotarian cultural exchange. He was also past District Governor of Rotary. He served two terms on the Egg Harbor Twp, New Jersey school board, and a 5 year term on the Linwood, New Jersey school board, one as president. Dick was active in his church, always a member of the choir, as well as clerk of session in two different Presbyterian churches. Dick became a Mason while on Guam, was a Past Master of Charles H. Mann Lodge in Pleasantville, New Jersey and became a member of the Delphian Lodge #44 AF&AM in Garnett, Kansas. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary and arose to Division Commander. Dick was a music lover had a beautiful singing voice. He also played the organ, trombone, baritone, and tuba. He was a member of the Weekstown German Band, and the Garnett Community Band. Dick always had a smile on his face and something funny to say as he went about his active life. He loved family dinners and holidays and always made them fun. Dick loved the sea and anything that had to do with it. He enjoyed snow skiing in Vermont and Colorado. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen in 2003, two brothers, Herbert and Robert; and two sisters, Alice Pitt, Marion Wollerton. He is survived by his three daughters and their families, Debbie Shook and husband, Jim, of Punta Gorda, Florida, Nancy Rice and husband, John, of Punta Gorda, Florida, Marilu Bardsley and companion, Bob Wallace, of Somers Point, New Jersey; three grandchildren, Kimberley Atack, Richard Atack, and Michael Garwood; three great-grandchildren, AbbyRose and Corbin Garwood, and Julian Simmerman. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. The family will greet friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to service time. Inurnment will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Memorial contributions in honor of Dick may be made to the donor's choice. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .