Dr. Richard C. Preston, 76, of Great Bend, died at his home on Sunday, August 5, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Culver City, California, on March 29, 1942, and was the oldest of four sons, born to Edgar T. and Monica Irene (DeBusk) Preston.
He was raised in Macksville, where he graduated from high school in 1960. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Kay Ordway Preston on February 23, 1962, in Hutchinson. Three children were born of this marriage: Jay R. Preston, Amy Lynne and Anne Marie. Dr. Preston and his family made their home in Great Bend since 1977, after leaving the U.S. Army medical service at West Point, New York and Vicenza, Italy, where he was stationed for three years with his family. He was engaged in a long and successful internal medicine practice in Great Bend until 2010 when he retired. Dr. Preston graduated from the University of Kansas, the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1969 and completed his internship and post-doctoral specialty training in internal medicine at Fitzsimons Army General Hospital, in Denver, in 1973.
Dr. Preston was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, American College of Physicians, American Board of Internal Medicine, over 50 years membership in the Masonic Lodge, AF and AM Lodge 15-32nd Degree Master Mason, ISIS Shrine, York Rite-Directors Staff, University of Kansas Alumi Association, and the Kansas University Medical Center Alumni Association. He served on the board and was a past Director of the Board at the Central Kansas Medical Center and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned from 2000-2005. Dr. Preston received the James Edwards Memorial Award for outstanding service to the Great Bend High School USD 428 Athletic program, where he served as the team physician for over 20 years.
Dr. Preston was preceded in death by his father, Edgar T. Preston; his mother, Monica Irene Preston; his son, Jay R. Preston in 2006; his brother, Michael in 2012; and his beloved wife, Marilyn in 2014. He is survived by daughters, Amy Lynne (Britt) Guthrie of Stillwater, Okla., and Anne Marie (Bill) Paden of Great Bend; brothers, David J. Preston of Mesa, Ariz., and Dr. Kevin L. Preston of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; step-brothers, Kenneth C. Fenwick, Larned, and Larry D. Fenwick, Macksville; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dr. Preston will be remembered for his lasting dedication to his family, friends and many devoted patients, many of whom traveled great distances for his care through more than 30 years of his practice. His community will remember him for his character, professionalism and great citizenship.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 8, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 9, at 10:30 a.m., at First Congregational United Church of Christ, with Pastor Mike Munz presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. Masonic Rites will be conducted by the AM Lodge 15 and Military Rites will be conducted by the United States Army. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are suggested to the Sunflower Shrine Travel Fund or Cancer Fund at Golden Belt Community Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Kansas 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 7, 2018
