Richard Fensler

Richard "Dick" Fensler, 85, of Topeka, passed away October 30, 2012. He was born August 10, 1927 in Louisville, KY to Kenneth and Alma (Switzer) Fensler. He was later adopted by his step-father, George Haer.

He served in the US Navy and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in journalism. He served as a press secretary for Congressman Bob Harrison of Nebraska in Washington DC. Dick married Lois Heatley on April 25, 1953 in Midland, MI.

He moved to Kansas and worked for the Manhattan Mercury and then the Topeka Capital Journal as a sports writer. He started working for the Topeka Capital-Journal in 1959. He worked there until retiring in 1989. While with the Capital-Journal, he wrote about auto racing, football, basketball and baseball at Washburn and Kansas State Universities, Kansas City Royals baseball, Kansas City Kings basketball and area high school sports. He was the Capital-Journal's main Kansas City Chiefs writer from 1981 to 1989.

He was a volunteer for the Red Cross and Stormont-Vail Hospital, and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.

Dick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois; 2 sons, Don (Kyoko) Fensler, Salem, OR, Bruce (Shio) Fensler, Broken Arrow, OK; 1 daughter, Janet (Rocky) Marts, Prairie Village, KS; 5 grandchildren, David (Kristina), Sarah, Rick, Michelle, Marc; 1 great-grandchild, Jaxson.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 at 11AM at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1329 SW 37th St., Topeka. Visitation will be held at Dove Cremation & Funeral Services, 4020 SW 6th Ave. on Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 2-4PM. The inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, the American Red Cross-Kansas Capital Area Chapter, 1221 SW 17th Topeka, KS 66604 or the Stormont-Vail Foundation-Care Line, 1500 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604.