1921
Richard
2013
Richard Learmonth
April 10, 1921 — April 10, 2013
Richard Handley Learmonth, 92, a long-time resident of Prairie Village and a recent resident at Tallgrass Creek retirement community in Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on April 10, 2013. Richard (known as Dick) was born December 29, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, to Ethel Mae (Handley) and Richard Learmonth. Dick was raised in Kansas City and graduated from Southwest High School, Kansas City, Missouri, in 1937. In 1942, he earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of Kansas.
Dick retired in 1985 as Vice President of Administration after 20 years with the nationwide less-than-truckload carrier Yellow Freight Systems (now part of YRC Worldwide), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. During that time, he served on the Industrial Relations Commission of the American Trucking Association, including one year as chairman.
Prior to joining Yellow Freight, Dick was the Manager of the Service Division at Great Lakes Pipe Line Company (acquired by Williams Companies). At that time, Great Lakes was the largest petroleum products pipeline in the United States. Dick was employed at Great Lakes for 20 years, and while there he graduated from the Harvard Advanced Management program in 1965 and the University of Texas Pipeline School of Technology in 1962.
Dick served in the Navy during World War II. In 1943, he graduated from Midshipman School at Columbia University, New York City, and completed anti-submarine training at the West Coast Sound School in San Diego. While on route to San Diego, Dick stopped in Fort Scott, Kansas, to marry his college sweetheart Margaret Anne Reed. The couple honeymooned in San Diego. Dick reported for duty aboard the USS Ammen (DD 527) in the Aleutian Islands. The Ammen later sailed for the southwest Pacific, participated in various offensive operations around New Guinea, and provided a screen for invasion forces at Leyte Gulf, the Philippines. During 18 months aboard the Ammen, Dick's main duties were as navigator, radar officer, fighter plane director officer, and assistant communications officer. Later on staff of the Commander of Destroyers Pacific Fleet, Dick was a Combat Information Center (CIC) training officer (in the tactical use of radar) and fighter plane director instructional officer in the Western Pacific and Okinawa area.
Dick and Margaret Anne lived in Prairie Village for most of their married life. They enjoyed relaxing at their Lake of the Ozarks lake house and traveling in Scotland, the country from which Dick's father emigrated. An avid golfer, Dick was once rewarded with a hole-in-one.
Dick was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Margaret Anne, in 1992, his sister Jean Gardiner Allen, and nephew Jonathan Allen. Survivors include his nephew Richard Allen of St Louis, Missouri, and nieces Christine Longan of White Stone, Virginia and Margaret Allen of Westfield, New Jersey.
A committal service in Dick's honor is planned for 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 20, at the Village Presbyterian Church memorial garden. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Dick's honor is encouraged to donate to the Village Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS, 66208, or to a charity of their choice.
Dick retired in 1985 as Vice President of Administration after 20 years with the nationwide less-than-truckload carrier Yellow Freight Systems (now part of YRC Worldwide), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. During that time, he served on the Industrial Relations Commission of the American Trucking Association, including one year as chairman.
Prior to joining Yellow Freight, Dick was the Manager of the Service Division at Great Lakes Pipe Line Company (acquired by Williams Companies). At that time, Great Lakes was the largest petroleum products pipeline in the United States. Dick was employed at Great Lakes for 20 years, and while there he graduated from the Harvard Advanced Management program in 1965 and the University of Texas Pipeline School of Technology in 1962.
Dick served in the Navy during World War II. In 1943, he graduated from Midshipman School at Columbia University, New York City, and completed anti-submarine training at the West Coast Sound School in San Diego. While on route to San Diego, Dick stopped in Fort Scott, Kansas, to marry his college sweetheart Margaret Anne Reed. The couple honeymooned in San Diego. Dick reported for duty aboard the USS Ammen (DD 527) in the Aleutian Islands. The Ammen later sailed for the southwest Pacific, participated in various offensive operations around New Guinea, and provided a screen for invasion forces at Leyte Gulf, the Philippines. During 18 months aboard the Ammen, Dick's main duties were as navigator, radar officer, fighter plane director officer, and assistant communications officer. Later on staff of the Commander of Destroyers Pacific Fleet, Dick was a Combat Information Center (CIC) training officer (in the tactical use of radar) and fighter plane director instructional officer in the Western Pacific and Okinawa area.
Dick and Margaret Anne lived in Prairie Village for most of their married life. They enjoyed relaxing at their Lake of the Ozarks lake house and traveling in Scotland, the country from which Dick's father emigrated. An avid golfer, Dick was once rewarded with a hole-in-one.
Dick was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Margaret Anne, in 1992, his sister Jean Gardiner Allen, and nephew Jonathan Allen. Survivors include his nephew Richard Allen of St Louis, Missouri, and nieces Christine Longan of White Stone, Virginia and Margaret Allen of Westfield, New Jersey.
A committal service in Dick's honor is planned for 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 20, at the Village Presbyterian Church memorial garden. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Dick's honor is encouraged to donate to the Village Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS, 66208, or to a charity of their choice.
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