David K. Clapsaddle 1934-2016

LARNED — David K. Clapsaddle, 81, died April 28, 2016 in Larned.
He was born Oct. 9, 1934 in Thayer, the son of John and Ida Ethel Peterson Clapsaddle.
He married Alice Ann Powell on Jan. 2, 1971 in Oswego. Graduating from Thayer High School, he obtained an AA degree from Southwest Baptist University in Boliver, Mo. He received a BA from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas, a MS from Pittsburg State University, and a PhD from Kansas State University in adult education.
His teaching career included Levelland, Texas; Diamond, Mo.; Baxter Springs, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, the University of Montana and Barton Community College. Other career positions included Head Start Director in Ottawa, Director of Education in Southeast Kansas for a community action agency, and Coordinator of Research and Training at Larned State Hospital.
A well-known historian of trans-Mississippi western history, most specifically the Santa Fe Trail, he wrote numerous articles for journals, authored books, and wrote a history of Larned State Hospital. Among his many awards are the U.S. National Park Service 2010 Midwest Region George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Individual Volunteer Service, the Gregory M. Franzwa Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award of the Santa Fe Trail Association, and the William Chalfont Memorial Award of the Fort Larned Old Guard.
Memberships included Kansas State Historical Society, Santa Fe Trail Association (President of Wet/Dry Routes Chapter of SFTA), Smoky Hill Trail Association, and Kansas State University Alumni Association. He was instrumental in developing Sibley’s Camp, The Little Red House, and Zebulon Pike Plaza in Larned as well as 200 markers identifying notable historical sites in Kansas. A consummate speaker, researcher and author, he was especially pleased with his work in developing the Traveling Trunks Program for school age children in collaboration with Fort Larned National Historical Site. Survivors include Alice, wife of the home, two sons, Timothy Mark Clapsaddle of Parsons, KS, Paul Anthony Clapsaddle of San Angelo, TX. and a daughter, Jennifer Lou Duncan of Longmont, CO. Preceding him in death was son Jonathon Bruce Clapsaddle, parents, eight siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.
David chose to have his body donated to the University of Kansas Medical Center for research. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 p.m, Saturday, April 30, in the fellowship hall, First Presbyterian Church, 8th and Morris, Larned.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Fort Larned National Historic Site Old Guard, First Presbyterian Church Youth of Larned, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation, Larned; Wet/Dry Routes Chapter Marker Fund, all in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Thayer, Kan.