Richard G. Ensign of rural Osceola, MO passed away April 12, 2018 at his home. He was born July 17, 1931 in San Rafael, California, the only child of Glenn and Myrtle (Davenport) Ensign. They helped teach him love of the outdoors and exploration, scientific learning and experimentation, testing and building, and tolerated his numerous jokes and pranks while growing up. They also helped establish his love of travel, and logged many miles along the west coast in places like Crater Lake, OR, Yosemite National Park, and the northern California redwoods while spending many summer vacations at Bucks Lake. While in the Air Force (1952-1956) he attained the rank of Sergeant, served at Smokey Hill AF Base in Salina, KS, and specialized in radio mechanics and maintenance with a SAC bomber wing.
Dick married Mary Ginder in 1957, and they lived in San Rafael and central Kansas. They moved to Platte City, MO in 1969 where they raised their five children (Bonnie, Tom, Pat, Jan and Andy). The move was prompted by Dick’s job at TWA in the instrument and radio shops at the Kansas City overhaul base, from which he retired after 25+ years. Although they eventually divorced, Dick and Mary continued to be friendly and supportive of each other even after he remarried in 1990 to Patricia Myers. He and Pat moved to their home among 50 acres of oak woods in southern Missouri where they entertained many friends and family members through the years. Their many grandchildren remember hiking in the woods, enjoying tasty meals, and listening to “Grandpa Dick” tell numerous stories about memorable things he’d done and tales of mischief and hilarity. He valued honesty and integrity, common sense, and liver & onions; he disliked liars and cheaters, and wasting money. He spent many hours tinkering—figuring out how to make something work better or different, go farther or faster, or avoid buying a replacement or paying someone else to fix it.
Dick’s especially keen interest in aviation led to his choice of military service, career at TWA, and manifested itself in scores of homemade model and radio-controlled airplanes, including a glider with an 8’+ wingspan and a model plane with a jet engine. He was particularly proud of a tandem skydive he did in his 60s.
Those left to retell his stories, pass on his values, and share his wisdom include: his kids Tom, Pat (Leslie), Andy (Dede) and Jan (Steve Boese); stepkids Don (Deborah), Kendall (Jamie Evans) and Donna Sue May; and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are confident he was met in heaven by Pat and Mary, daughter Bonnie and son-in-law Mark Ranney, his parents, and other relatives and friends who passed on before him. Hopefully, he will have some new stories to tell by the time we meet him again.
Arrangements have been assisted by Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home in Osceola, MO. Interment and graveside service to be determined at a future date.
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