Richard (Dick) Casidy, 80, passed away June 13, 2019. Richard, a native of Wichita who lived there, in Oklahoma City and in Overland Park, Kansas. He played varsity baseball and basketball at Wichita State University and professional baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization. He was a player and coach on many successful semipro baseball teams, at Lawrence-Dumont stadium in the National Baseball Congress. He’s been honored at Wichita East High for his accomplishments in sports. He’s a 1988 inductee of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame and participated with the board of directors and inductee selection committee. He was a member and served with the Wichita Crime Commission and was an active member of the FBI Citizens Academy. He was an active (and darned competitive) golfer, even in his final year. He is the father of four children and five grandchildren. His friends are numerous and worldwide.
Richard was born in Wichita, Kansas to Alice and Merrill Casidy. He was a typical ornery boy who played with his best friend, Bob Adams. Merrill, fire captain at Fire Station #5, worked diligently with Richard on his baseball and basketball skills throughout his childhood. Richard attended Hamilton junior high, where he met his future wife, Sharron Groeneveld.
Both Richard and Sharron attended Wichita East High School where he continued to excel in sports. He got in trouble with Sharron as the stuffed toy skunk he gave her for Valentines Day was the identical gift he gave is other two favorite girls! While earning a bachelor of arts in education degree at WSU, Richard played baseball and basketball. His skills got the attention of top scouts and he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.
The Giants placed Richard with the Fresno Giants in 1961, following which he returned to Wichita for a long and successful semiprofessional career. Richard played in 12 national NBC tourneys, including 1963 when he and his Rapid Transit Dreamliners won the championship and 1964 when he helped Service Auto Glass win the title. He was a power hitter who also played with the John Weitzel Cowboys, the Boeing Bo-Jets, the Sunflower Packers and Liberal’s BeeJays. He also pitched and relied on a knuckleball. Artifacts from his baseball career can be found in the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
He was National Sales Manager for O’Brien Water Ski Company, a subsidiary of the Coleman Company. Richard worked for American City Business Journals, in the formative years of the business journals. He was a troubleshooter for business journals across the country, ensuring their sales and financials were in top shape. He started a couple of advertising companies and spent many years selling business directories and other ads.
Richard and Sharron have four children, Jerry, William, Michael, and Stacy. Richard has four grandchildren under Jerry: Carter, twins Cooper and Cameryn, who live in Washington state, and Madeline Parker in Kansas. Under Stacy, they have two grandchildren: Jennifer and Lauren, who live in Kansas. He would rearrange his busy traveling work schedule to ensure he could attend as many sports and other events as possible for his kids. We’re sure he would ask for forgiveness from the umpires and referees who were reminded of each and every bad call made.
Richard’s friends were numerous, and he (usually) left them with a big smile. He would take friends to and from the airport at all hours and drive great distances to see them. He was well known for his story telling and an incredible geographic acumen, often putting Rand McNally to shame. He played competitive golf with friends and in tournaments. He provide guidance and mentoring to his children, and loving cared for his wife, Sharron.
A Life Celebration will be on Sunday, June 23rd from 4-6 pm, at Tavern at Mission Farms, Leawood, Kansas. A Memorial Service will be on Monday, June 24th at 10:30 am at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 E. 21st Street N., Wichita, KS; followed by burial in White Chapel Cemetery, 1806 N. Oliver Ave., Wichita, KS.
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