Retired Master Sgt. Richard Neal Herren, 80, of Alma, Kansas, died July 24, 2021, at his home In Alma, Kansas.
Richard was born on April 9, 1941, in Independence, Missouri, the son of Lt. Col. Wesley and Sarah Bollinger Herren. Like his father, Richard had a proud military career. Richard graduated Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood Arkansas, in 1959.
Richard served proudly in the United States Navy and then in the Kansas Air National Guard as an inventory manager supervisor with the 190th Air Refueling Wing’s Resource Management Squadron. He received numerous medals and ribbons during his duties in Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm and various stateside locations, including the Vietnam service medal, Air Force Achievement medal, Air Force outstanding unit award, Air Reserve Force Meritorious Medal, Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service medal with one bronze service star, Air Force longevity service award ribbon with two oak leaves, Service Desert Shield/Storm, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, U.S. Air Force NCO PME graduate ribbon, and Air Force training ribbon. Richard retired from the military after many years. Richard also worked for FEMA for a few years, as well as the railroad.
Richard was a loving, reliable, good-natured, husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law. He loved his family and the time he spent with them.
He was a member of American Legion Post 32 in Alma, and the Light of the World Christian Center in Topeka. Richard was an avid hunter and fisherman, taking many fishing destination trips with his son Jim Herren and others. People say Richard could repair anything and was very good with his hands.
Richard married Sandra V. Yount Knight in 1966 in Edwardsville, Kansas. They were later divorced. He then married Maurine Neal Post April 17, 1981, in Topeka. She survives him at their home in Alma.
Richard is also survived by his children Jim Herren, Valley Falls; Crystal Herren (Breese), Ozawkie; stepchildren Jeff Knight, Topeka; Carrie Knight (Arnold), Carbondale; Kelly Knight (Marshall), San Antonio, Texas; Michael Post, Edmond, Oklahoma; Lee Post, Augusta; grandchildren Alan Brown, Colby Herren, Dalton Herren, Braden Herren, T J Breese, Jaycee Breese (Burns), McKayla Breese, Scott Post, Ben Post, Whitney Post (Stratton), Kristy Neff, Todd Hedberg, Colby Schaar, Britney Schaar, Devin Schaar, Cole Arnold, Chase Arnold and Jacob Marshall, and great-grandchildren Luke Breese, Elizabeth Brown, Margaux Stratton, Ike Stratton, Trip Stratton, Trinity Stratton, Sean Neff, Meka Neff, Sklyee Ethridge, Jeslynn Hedberg, Ella Schaar. He is also survived by his siblings Charlie Herren, Alma, and Elizabeth Herren (Frank), Topeka. He was preceded in death by his parents, his ex-wife, Sandy, brothers David, James and Wesley, Jr., and niece Lisa Herren.
Private family services are planned at a future date. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Legion, Post 32, Alma, or Light of The World Christian Center. They may be sent in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at https://www.campanellastewart.com/obituary/richard-herren