Richard Liebert Obituary (1921 - 2011)

Coffeyville - Richard Liebert, 89, former longtime Coffeyville resident past away Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Sunrise of Leawood in Leawood, KS. He was born July 30, 1921 at Coffeyville the son of Frank and Helen (Reardon) Liebert, long time parishioners of Holy Name Catholic Church. Richard was the third child, predeceased by his older brothers Frank and John Liebert and survived by his wife of 62 years, Olivia (Bigelow) and his sister Nancy (Blake) of Dodge City, KS. Richard attended Holy Name Elementary School, Field Kindley Memorial High School, Creighton University, and received his law degree from Georgetown University. In high school and college Richard was active in band and debate. Upon graduating from Creighton in 1943, he immediately entered the U.S. Navy as had his older two brothers. He had a distinguished naval service in the Pacific theater including serving as a Second Lieutenant Gunnery officer on the destroyer USS Grayson which provided escort for the aircraft carrier Enterprise. He was among the first wave of US Military to occupy Japan after the end of the war. Richard was active for a time in the Grayson reunion organization and attended several reunions of the crew during the 1980s and 1990s. After his military service, Richard enrolled at Georgetown University Law School, finishing his law degree in 1948. He and Olivia Marea Bigelow met in Washington, DC where he was attending law school. They were married on July 10, 1948 in the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, DC. Richard and Olivia settled in Coffeyville, KS where Richard began a law practice in partnership with his brother Frank at Liebert and Liebert Attorneys at Law. Richard was active in community organizations; Jaycees, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts and a member of the Knights of Columbus and as a lector at Holy Name. Richard was elected as a representative to the Kansas State legislature from 1958 - 1964 and then in the Kansas State Senate from 1964-1968. Richard served as the chief counsel for the Kansas State Nursing Home Association as well as maintaining his law office in conjunction with his brother Frank. Richard and Olivia retired to Sun City, Arizona 1998-2004 and relocated to Leawood, KS in 2004. He was a resident of Sunrise Assisted Living of Leawood. Richard was a lifelong companion and devoted, loving husband; an extremely generous and loyal father to his children; deep fan of opera and classical music, theater and the arts; and a dedicated public servant and counsel to his clients. He will be missed enormously by all of his family and relatives. Together they raised 5 children, all surviving: Thomas Richard Liebert, Jr. of Houston, TX; Timothy Carle Liebert of Overland Park, KS; Marea Liebert Dotz of Santa Barbara, CA; Sarah Liebert Lammers of Merriam, KS; and Daniel Francis Liebert of Albany, NY. Richard is also survived by 2 sons in law, 3 daughters in law, 12 grandchildren, 3 Great grandchildren and numerous friends and relatives in the Kansas City and Coffeyville areas. A Rosary Vigil Service followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may sign the register book on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Holy Name Catholic School; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337. Tagged as: Calvary Cemetery, Holy Name Catholic Church, Holy Name Catholic School