Steven Jay Rich

body on Saturday, September 2, 2017—on his 41½ birthday.

Steve was born in Dodge City, Kansas, and grew up in

Protection, Kansas, until he graduated as

the valedictorian of Protection High School,

Class of 1994. Upon graduation, he attended Kansas

Wesleyan University where he participated in theatre,

chorale, band, and studied chemistry. He

graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor

of Science in Chemistry. Steve then attended the

University of Missouri in Columbia in pursuit of

his Master’s degree. In 2000, he decided to

pursue a career in the United States Air Force

and entered Officer Training School.

Steve’s career with the US Air Force took him to

Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton,

Ohio; Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC;

and then Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma

City, Oklahoma, where he obtained his Master’s

of Science in Chemistry from the University of

Oklahoma. In 2008, he left the Air Force at the

rank of Captain and moved his family to make

their home in Gladstone, Missouri.

Steve worked for MRI in Kansas City, Missouri for

six years as a Senior Chemist/Group

Manager. In 2015, he went to work at Cardinal

Health as Manager of Program and Project

Management.

Steve loved life and teaching about the sciences—

especially to children. He always made time to

go to his children’s schools to talk and teach science.

Steve’s love for learning and impacting the

lives of others was evident through all he did

and those he called friend.

Steve was a beloved son, brother, father,

husband, and friend. His love for life, crazy sense of

humor, sarcastic comments, and quick wit was unmatched.

Steve is survived by his wife Anna, children Cherlyn,

Taryn, Lily, and Barrett, and Kathleen

Rich of Gladstone, Missouri; his parents

Jerry Jay and Sara Rich, of Protection; his sister Lara

(Matt) Boyd and their children Nikayle, Oaklyn, Paidyn,

and Quinley of Ottawa; his

grandmother Geraldine Rich of Coldwater;

mother-in-laws Irene Haning of Boonville, Missouri,

and Melissa (David) Laird of Gladstone, Missouri;

father-in-laws Danny Baker of Mercer, Missouri

and Jack Olson of Nebraska City,

Nebraska; sister-in-law Tina Ray and

children Colby and Katelyn of Boonville, Missouri;

brother-in-laws Charlie (Tiffany) Haning and

their children Maylee, Aven, Margo, and Ember Jasmine

of Raymore, Missouri, and Nathan Baker of Kansas City,

Missouri; his two devoted and

loyal dogs Alex and Bella, and

numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

He is preceded in death by his sister Cherlyn Grace Rich;

his grandparents Walter O. and

Margaret Bush and Lawrence Rich;

and his father-in-law Geoff Haning.

In lieu of flowers please consider making

a donation to the Rich family.