Richard Dean Goppert

Richard graduated from Southeast High School in 1949, served as a Sergeant in the US Army for two years and then graduated from the University of Kansas in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. He was a Certified Public Accountant.

Richard entered the world of banking during high school working for his father Clarence H. Goppert at the Peoples State Bank of Dodson at 85th and Prospect and then at the Peoples Credit Company. After college graduation he worked for Arthur Andersen. A move to the Suburban Bank came when the newly chartered bank opened at 69th and Prospect in 1957. Richard purchased Metropolitan Bank at 75th and Troost in 1964. He later sold this bank and purchased Goppert Bank and Trust which he then sold in 1985. Additional Missouri banks were added and later became Goppert Financial Bank with locations in Pleasant Hill, Norborne, Lathrop, Holt, and Lawson.

In 1999 he purchased the Garnett State Savings Bank in Kansas. Additional banks were acquired in Colony, Helpler, Walnut, Pomona, Ottawa, St. Paul, and Girard. These banks have since merged into Goppert State Service Bank.

Richard loved sports both as a participant and a spectator. He was a bowler, softball, and tennis player but perhaps his favorite participant sport was sailing, which he did for over 30 years. He also was an avid Chiefs and Royals fan, holding season tickets for nearly all of the years of the teams existence. However, his first love was Kansas University basketball. He and his family have followed the team to all home games and most tournament games since the inception of the Big Eight.

Richard enjoyed his family. He was a good dad and played with the children and coached their little league teams. He listened to music, often coming in to work humming or singing. He lived in the greater Kansas City area nearly all of his life with the longest stint at Lake Lotawana, Missouri.

Richard married Nancy Ladyne Nelms on November 22, 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri. They later divorced. Richard was married to Shirli Rauenzahn and they later divorced.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother Virginia Keister Goppert in a much-publicized plane crash over the Grand Canyon in 1956; his father Clarence H. Goppert in 1999, son Timothy Goppert and sister, Nancy Goppert Terrebonne and son-in-law Tom Kasic.

He is survived by his children Lawrence Goppert, Douglas Goppert and daughter in law Rita Goppert, Thomas Goppert and Denise Jensen, John (Andrew) Goppert and daughter in law Judy Goppert, Ray Goppert and Alison Clark, and Cynthia Goppert, and his brother-in-law Robert Terrebonne. Grandchildren, Autumn Markley, Katie Goppert, Amy Goppert, James Goppert, Dusty Goppert, Brandy Howard, Ciara Kasic, Henry Goppert and Claire Goppert. Great-grandchildren, Kirsten Markley, Lauren Markley, Jillian Markley, Kimber Goppert, Aurora Stewart and Ava Cooper. His will be missed by his beloved dog Chucky.

He is loved by and will be greatly missed by his family and countless employees.

A public visitation will be held Thursday, September 16th from 7:00pm to 9:00 pm at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO. A private family service celebrating Richard's life will be held at a later date. Burial will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Richard's honor to a charity of your choice.