Richard Edgar Buzbee, 86, former editor and publisher of The Hutchinson News and Olathe Daily News in Kansas, died June 6, 2018.
Richard Edgar 'Dick' Buzbee was born Aug. 16, 1931, in Fordyce, Arkansas, to Edgar Andrew and Helen Koester (Darling) Buzbee. He attended the University of Arkansas and the University of Missouri, where he received degrees in journalism and political science and a naval commission.
Richard served in the United States Navy from June 11, 1954 to May 28, 1957, as a midshipman and officer aboard a battleship, a cruiser, an attack transport and a tank-landing ship.

He received a Department of the Army citation during the Vietnam War for patriotic civilian service. He was the chairman of four campaigns in Olathe to bring service members home for the Christmas holidays during that war. Richard also served as the chairman of both the Olathe and Hutchinson Chambers of Commerce and as president of the Johnson County Red Cross and the Hutchinson Symphony. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  Richard began a 35-year career in journalism with the Harris Enterprises newspaper group after leaving the Navy and worked in Chanute, Kansas, Burlington, Iowa, and then in Olathe and Hutchinson.

Richard was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, and was involved in the Doers Sunday School class.

He married his wife, Marie Palmer, April 16, 1955, in Waverly, Missouri.

Richard is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Marie; sons, William Buzbee and wife Monica of Half Moon Bay, California, James Buzbee and wife Judi of Centennial, Colorado; daughters-in-law, Sally Buzbee of New York City, New York, Julie Buzbee of Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and sister, Harriette Reap of Katy, Texas.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; sons, Robert Buzbee and John Buzbee; granddaughter, Anne Marie Buzbee; brother, Robert Dale Buzbee; and sister, Joy Ayer.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Michael L. McGuire officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today until service time at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.