1919
Richard
2016
Richard Grossman
March 5, 1919 — March 18, 2016
Richard Philip Grossman, Lenexa, KS, died, March 18, 2016 at Lakeview Village shortly after celebrating his 97th birthday. He was born in Warrick County, Indiana to Herman and Lena (Rauth) Grossman. Richard graduated from Boonville High School and various Army Air Force Technical Schools. He was the 3rd generation of Grossmans to be confirmed at St John’s United Church of Christ in Boonville where he served in many capacities, including President of the Church Council and in the choir.
Like most children of the Great Depression, Richard began work at a young age. He recalled driving large steam engines through the fields around Boonville by age 12, as he worked in his father’s threshing business. During his high school years, Richard wired his uncle's farmhouse for electricity and converted it from coal oil lamps to electric lighting after reading a manual on the topic. Upon graduation from High School he worked for International Harvester Co. as a traveling Service Representative which provided the mechanical background for the next phase of his life.
Richard was one of the first men drafted into the armed forces from Warrick County as the nation prepared for WWII, joining the US Army Air Force during the summer of 1941. Using his mechanical skill set, he eventually became the supervising maintenance Crew Chief for his bomber squadron. Not satisfied to maintain planes and train others, he volunteered for combat duty and became a Flight Engineer on the most complex piece of machinery in the United States arsenal, the B-29 bomber. He completed 29 bombing missions in the Asian-Pacific Theater taking him around the world over North Africa, India, China, Burma, Australia, and various South Pacific islands such as Tinian. He received several commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and 444th Group Merit Citation for India, Burma, and China Theater. He also found time to write letters home to LaVonne whom he married April 6, 1946.
After returning home from service, Richard and his brother Howard purchased a farm and worked in the family farm equipment business as the Service Department Manager. Later, he went to work as a power plant technician for Southern Indian Gas & Electric Co. Throughout his life, Richard was always involved in his community as evidenced by his service as a member of the School Board for the Warrick County School District. Farming was Richard’s favorite avocation until he retired and sold the farm to move to Lenexa, KS in 1992 to be near his daughter and her family. After moving to KS, he joined the Colonial Church in Prairie Village where he enjoyed fellowship with its members and working the annual clothing/garage sale.
He is survived by his wife of 70 loving years, LaVonne (Roth) Grossman, son Philip (Pam) Grossman of Fort Worth TX, daughter Karen (Mark) Tevault of Lenexa KS, and brother Harold (Kay) Grossman of Greenville SC. Grandchildren are Kelly and Kristina Grossman of Fort Worth TX, Reed and Ashton Tevault of Lenexa KS.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Howard and Leland Grossman.
Beyond all of his many accomplishments, Richard was a man of God and great character. “Everyone loved Richard,” is not just a trite saying, but the absolute truth. His marriage to LaVonne was an incredible example of love and partnership to all who knew them.
The memorial service will be conducted at 1pm, Monday, March 21 at Colonial Church, Prairie Village, KS, with a reception to follow at the church. Interment will be at Boonville, IN. http://www.johnsoncountychapel.com/obituaries/
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Colonial Church of Prairie Village, Lakeview Village Foundation, or Crossroads Hospice Care.
Like most children of the Great Depression, Richard began work at a young age. He recalled driving large steam engines through the fields around Boonville by age 12, as he worked in his father’s threshing business. During his high school years, Richard wired his uncle's farmhouse for electricity and converted it from coal oil lamps to electric lighting after reading a manual on the topic. Upon graduation from High School he worked for International Harvester Co. as a traveling Service Representative which provided the mechanical background for the next phase of his life.
Richard was one of the first men drafted into the armed forces from Warrick County as the nation prepared for WWII, joining the US Army Air Force during the summer of 1941. Using his mechanical skill set, he eventually became the supervising maintenance Crew Chief for his bomber squadron. Not satisfied to maintain planes and train others, he volunteered for combat duty and became a Flight Engineer on the most complex piece of machinery in the United States arsenal, the B-29 bomber. He completed 29 bombing missions in the Asian-Pacific Theater taking him around the world over North Africa, India, China, Burma, Australia, and various South Pacific islands such as Tinian. He received several commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and 444th Group Merit Citation for India, Burma, and China Theater. He also found time to write letters home to LaVonne whom he married April 6, 1946.
After returning home from service, Richard and his brother Howard purchased a farm and worked in the family farm equipment business as the Service Department Manager. Later, he went to work as a power plant technician for Southern Indian Gas & Electric Co. Throughout his life, Richard was always involved in his community as evidenced by his service as a member of the School Board for the Warrick County School District. Farming was Richard’s favorite avocation until he retired and sold the farm to move to Lenexa, KS in 1992 to be near his daughter and her family. After moving to KS, he joined the Colonial Church in Prairie Village where he enjoyed fellowship with its members and working the annual clothing/garage sale.
He is survived by his wife of 70 loving years, LaVonne (Roth) Grossman, son Philip (Pam) Grossman of Fort Worth TX, daughter Karen (Mark) Tevault of Lenexa KS, and brother Harold (Kay) Grossman of Greenville SC. Grandchildren are Kelly and Kristina Grossman of Fort Worth TX, Reed and Ashton Tevault of Lenexa KS.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Howard and Leland Grossman.
Beyond all of his many accomplishments, Richard was a man of God and great character. “Everyone loved Richard,” is not just a trite saying, but the absolute truth. His marriage to LaVonne was an incredible example of love and partnership to all who knew them.
The memorial service will be conducted at 1pm, Monday, March 21 at Colonial Church, Prairie Village, KS, with a reception to follow at the church. Interment will be at Boonville, IN. http://www.johnsoncountychapel.com/obituaries/
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Colonial Church of Prairie Village, Lakeview Village Foundation, or Crossroads Hospice Care.
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