Dick McLinden

Dick’s life began on October 23, 1942, in Hillsboro. He was the son of V.L. “Bud” and Roseva (Melson) McLinden. Dick was a 1960 graduate of Florence High School and attended Kansas State University for 2 ½ years. Dick was united in marriage of Patty Longhofer on August 24, 1963, and began married life as a rancher. He earned his pilot’s license in 1968, a skill he would enjoy throughout his life. Dick became a Chase County Deputy Sheriff in 1970 and opened Dick’s Welding in Cottonwood Falls. He was promoted to Undersheriff in Chase County and was later elected Sheriff of Chase County in1976. In June of 1978, as the Sheriff, on a rodeo Friday night, he ran a drunk rodeo clown off the road and infamous lore of the drunken clown and the bear was born. In 1978, he relocated the family to Tipton, MO. when he took a job with Feed Services Corporation of Crete, NE. In the fall of 1986, he moved the family back to Kansas, working for Farm Bureau Insurance and then as a welder at Hillsboro Industries before “landing” his dream job, flying the pipelines for Eagle Sky Patrol of South Dakota, where he retired in 2019 and became a fixture at the local coffee shop. Dick was a parishioner of Holy Family Parish, an active member of the Father Kapaun Knights of Columbus Council. He also served on the Marion Airport Board. Dick is survived by his loving wife Patty of Florence; children Chuck (Karen) McLinden, and Susie (Craig) Morton; grandchildren Regan (Korey) Morton, Lauren (Tony) Martinez, Jordan Morton, Jarrett (Natalie) McLinden and great granddaughter Orlee Williams. Dick passed away suddenly on Thursday April 4, 2024, at his home. He is preceded in death by his parents. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday April 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Florence. Yazel Megli Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be directed to The Father Kapaun Knights of Columbus Council or the Marion Airport. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Dick at www.yazelmeglifh.com.