Dr. Richard Allan Siemens

Dr. Richard Allan Siemens, 94, died peacefully under hospice care on February 3, 2024, at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, Kan.

Richard was born on January 1, 1930, in Newton, Kan., to Anna (Enns) and Jacob Siemens. He was the first baby born in Harvey County that year. He grew up in North Newton with older sister, Maurine, and younger brother, Robert. He graduated from Newton High School and was a member of the Bethel College Mennonite church.

After graduating from Bethel College with a Biology degree, Richard completed a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Michigan. During the Korean War, he was a public health educator at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

Following his discharge from the army, Richard attended medical school at the University of Kansas, specializing in family practice medicine. His training included time in Seattle, Wash.; and Ventura, Calif. He practiced medicine in Lyons, Kan., for over 40 years, helping to establish the Lyons Medical Center clinic on the campus of the Rice County Hospital.

While a student at Bethel College, Richard enjoyed playing football and basketball. An injury during his senior year sidelined him from sport participation, so he joined the college choir where he met his future wife, Frances Schultz. Richard and Frances were married in 1954. The couple celebrated their 69th anniversary in June 2023, shortly before Frances’ death. They raised two children, Charlotte Anne and Douglas Todd. In 2006, Frances and Richard retired to North Newton.

When Richard was 16 years old, he joined a crew of “seagoing cowboys” who cared for horses being transported to Gdynia, Poland, as a post-war relief mission. This formative experience shaped his commitment to a life of service. 

Richard served as a deacon and elder in the Presbyterian church; he was on the board of directors for Bethel College and the Kauffman Museum. After retiring from full-time medical practice, he took several short-term assignments with the Indian Health Service, working in clinics in North Dakota, Arizona, and at the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. Richard was particularly proud of over 60 years in Rotary International, frequently referencing Rotary’s four-way test: “Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Richard was an avid outdoors enthusiast. He enjoying hunting doves and ducks, but his special passion was catching fish of any type, from the lowly bullhead to the mighty sailfish. Other favorite outdoor activities included bird watching and golfing.

Richard enjoyed seeing the world from his bicycle. He participated in Bike across Kansas for 10 years, beginning in his mid-50s. Early in his retirement, he teamed up with a fellow biking enthusiast for a Mexico-to-Manitoba tour with their patient wives organizing meals, housing, and luggage transport.

Richard will be remembered for the love he showed for his family. Despite the time demands of being a small-town physician, he was sure to attend school and church activities that featured his family. He enjoyed trips to the family cabin in southwest Colorado, especially when he could encourage his children and grandchildren to share his love of fishing.

In recent years, Richard’s activities were limited by trouble with vision, hearing, and memory, but he remained curious about the world, always asking how people were doing and what they were up to. One of his last public events was a lively party for his 94th birthday where he enjoyed barbeque and homemade pies.

Richard is survived by his brother Robert, Lenexa, Kan.; children Charlotte Siemens (David Sprunger), North Newton, Kan., and Douglas Siemens (Lu Ann Zook), Newton, Kan.; grandchildren Sam (Ellie) Sprunger, Jacob Sprunger (Alžběta Lutzka), Anna Sprunger, Angus Siemens, and Zoe Siemens; and great-grandson Harvey Sprunger.

A memorial service will be held March 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Bethel College Mennonite Church, preceded by a private inurnment service. The service will be live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Bethel College.