Richard "Rick" Wally Duewel Jr.

Rick was born on June 29th, 1947 to Wally and the late Mary Duewel. He spent his early years living in Kansas City, MO. He graduated from Ruskin High school in 1965 and went on to earn his degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1969. While still in high school in the year 1964, Rick began working for Doctor’s Equipment Service, the business his father had started. He continued to do so until 1970, when Uncle Sam came calling and Rick was drafted into military service. He humbly served in the United States Army from January of 1970 to November of 1971 as an armorer. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Rick returned to Doctor’s Equipment Service, where he remained until he retired after 53 years in 2017.

Unbeknownst to Rick at the time, he met his future bride when they were both still children. He was 11 at the time, while Kit, his wife-to-be, was only 8. Rick’s family had traveled to Adrian, MO to spread the gospel of Christ, and it was there that Rick first encountered the cute little girl from the restaurant across the street from the church. Rick and Kit’s families became acquainted through their shared faith. However, it wouldn’t be until 10 years later when Kit’s family moved to Lee’s Summit and began attending the same church as the Duewels, that the future couple would be reacquainted. Rick and Kit were asked to be chaperones for a mutual friend’s first date. That was June 17th 1968, and ever since then, Kit has garnered both sympathy and praise for her saint-like ability to put up with Rick’s numerous, illustrious shenanigans.

On November 22nd of 1969, Rick and Kit were joined as husband and wife, and resided in Lee’s Summit, MO. Two years after returning from his military service, their family increased in size to three with the birth of their son Jason Eric. Four years later, another addition was added when their daughter Andrea Beth (aka Sally) was born. As Rick and Kit’s children grew, so did their extended family. In 1999 they welcomed their daughter-in-law Suzanne into the family, and their son-in-law Brandon Flathers in 2009. Rick and Kit are extremely proud grandparents to Grace Kalani Duewel (15), Tyler Kenneth Duewel (13), and Rylan Drake Flathers (9).

Rick is big brother to Debbie (David) Salem, Daniel (Lila) Duewel, David (Dru) Duewel, Becky (Rod) Shimabukuro, and Nathan (Rena) Duewel. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

Rick enjoyed doing anything with his hands. His pastimes included such activities as woodworking, planting trees, and gardening. Rick could always appreciate the pleasure to be gleaned from being in nature. However, you could also catch him watching his favorite episodes of Fixer Upper, American Pickers, and How It’s Made, all shows that catered to his innate ‘hands-on’ personality. Being a nature lover, Ricks favorite home away from home was Branson, MO, a locale that he and Kit frequented together several times during their life together.