Richard K. “Dick” Urban (1922-2020)
Richard K. “Dick” Urban, 97, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020, in Ellsworth. He was born Nov. 9, 1922 in Lincoln County, the son of George Henry and Frances (Boyle) Urban.
Dick was called to duty to serve his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy during WWII. He was a longtime resident of Lincoln and Ellsworth Counties where he was a farmer and plumber. In 1961 he started as a plumber at Erhardt Electric then co-owned B&D Plumbing with Buck Strong and finally he owned and operated Urban’s Plumbing in Ellsworth.
He was a 70 plus year member of the Ellsworth Masonic Lodge No. 146 and was a lifetime member of the American Legions in Sylvan Grove Post 359 and Ellsworth Post 174. He was a charter member of the Ellsworth VFW Post 6485 and served as commander, quarter master, and state VFW bowling chairman. Second to his dedication to the VFW, he was an avid bowler having been one of the first bowlers to bowl 50 years at Coach and Four Bowling Lanes which opened in 1961.
Dick married Lillian Zelenka in Sylvan Grove Sept. 12, 1948. After almost 70 years of marriage, she preceded him in death in 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Bob, Duane, Doyle, and Newt.
Dick is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Foran (Roger) of Ellsworth; grandchildren, Anita Fuller (Terry) of Dillingham, Alaska, Ray Foran of Omaha, Neb., and Pamela Hays (Tim) of Ellsworth; six great-grandchildren, Sarah and Shayla Fuller of Dillingham, Alaska, Kelsi Zamrzla (Riley) of Ellsworth, and Kara, Trenton, and Caleb Hays of Ellsworth; great-great granddaughter, Chiles Zamrzla; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 1-8 p.m., Friday, March 20, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
A private family graveside service will take place at Sylvan Grove Cemetery with military honors. A public celebration of life service will be planned at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth VFW Post 6485, First Presbyterian Church of Ellsworth, or the Good Samaritan Society of Ellsworth, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com