HUTCHINSON — Floyd Leon Rich, 90, died Jan. 9, 2013 at Hospice House in Hutchinson after a brief illness.
He was born Oct. 19, 1922 on a farm south of Robinson, Ill., the son of James Pearl and Della Maggie Rich.
Floyd attended Robinson Public Schools graduating from Robinson High School. He entered the Army Air Corps shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, serving from February 1942 until receiving an honorable discharge in February 1947. He attained the rank of Sergeant and served 26 months as a tail gunner aboard a B29 aircraft in the China-Burma-India Pacific Theatre of World War ll. He met his future wife while he was stationed at the Great Bend air base while training for overseas duty. He married Margaret Seger of Hoisington on May 26, 1946. They celebrated 66 years of marriage in May 2012.
Floyd began employment with Safeway Grocery stores upon discharge from military service. He was manager of the Safeway stores in both Lyons and Hoisington. He and his wife owned and operated Fashions Department Store and Rich’s Shoe Repair, both in Hoisington. He was a bus driver for the Hoisington School District for many years and also served as Municipal Judge for the cities of Hoisington, Claflin, and Olmitz.
He retired as Chief of Security for the Essex Corporation plant in Hoisington after 10 years of service. Upon retirement, he and Margaret sold their home in Hoisington and traveled in a motor home throughout the United States for 10 years. They ended their traveling years and settled on a farm near Buhler followed by residence in Inman. They moved to Hutchinson in 2011 and remain there. Floyd was a master gardener throughout his life and joyfully shared the bounty of his garden with friends and family.
Floyd was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Hutchinson and a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Hoisington. He held memberships in the Hoisington Masonic Lodge, the Great Bend York Rite, and was a lifetime member of the ISIS Shrine in Salina. He was past president of the Hoisington Kiwanis Club, serving as Lieutenant Governor of Division 8. He was an Officer and past president of the Safeway Employees Association, past president of the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce, member of Kansas Municipal Judges Association, Kansas Peace Officers Association, AARP, American Family Motorhome association and Coast to Coast RV Association. Floyd was selected Man of the Year in 1980 by the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce. He was a life member of the Hoisington American Legion Post No. 286 and Hoisington Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428
He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of the home; a daughter, Priscilla Hoover (Jim), Hutchinson; granddaughter, Susan Hoover; grandson, Matthew Hoover; great-grandson Bogart Hoover; nephew, Michael Clauss (Christine), Robinson, Ill.; niece Denise Teague (Daniel) of Littleton, Colo.; sister-in-law, Mildred Martinez, Littleton, Colo.; along with many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his beloved dog, Sammy and feline pal, Sparky. He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant daughters; sisters Opal Davis and Faye Chapman; brothers Ray Rich and Carl Rich; and great-nephew, Michael Clauss Jr.
Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at Hoisington Cemetery in Hoisington with the Rev. Jim Rhaesa presiding.  There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Reno County or Trinity United Methodist Church of Hutchinson, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

Funneral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home**
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS.  67544
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 13, 2013