Richard Moore Obituary

Richard Stephen Moore, 72, died peacefully in his home in Leawood, Kan., on May 18. Dick, known as "Frog" to his friends and family, was born on Feb. 22, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., to Gene and Marge Moore. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1967. He received dual bachelor's degrees in education and history from the University of Kansas in 1971.

Dick spent his young adult life working for the Unitog Co., but he left the corporate world to follow his real passion, plants. While at Unitog, he designed uniforms and was one of the last employees to leave the building when the company closed. He and Rick McDermott started Everything Grows, and worked side by side as friends and partners landscaping yards all over the Kansas City area. Frog later worked under the name Dr. Grow, and described himself as an artist working with time to create beautiful landscapes, visualizing how what he planted would look like in the future.

Dick was honored to have a protege and partner who became a good friend, Scott Bryant. He had many favorite clients, especially the Hall family, and worked closely with a wonderful group of people on the Hall estate, including the late Adele Hall, Scott Bryant, Gaye Tillotson, Dwight Brown, Brian Ritter, Kathy Thomas and Stephanie Noland. Much love to Don Hall. Dick was fortunate to have been surrounded by good friends all his life. Thanks to Steve Wolf for being his oldest friend and being there until the very end, and to a great group of guys known as the Zaggers, who enjoyed their softball games and the annual Zagger Bash.

His favorite thing to do was hear live music. He went for almost 20 years to the New Orleans Jazz festival with his good friend Mike Buckles and many others. He would be seen all over town at live music venues standing where he knew the best acoustics were. Covid put a big damper on his love for live music. Before Covid he would try to see at least two shows a week. He didn't even care what kind of music it was, as long as it was good. He also spent many years enjoying good music at his good friend Rick McNeely's place in Lawrence, The Jazzhaus.

Dick's wife of 45 years, Catherine A. Moore, preceded him in death in 2016. The family he leaves behind include his daughter, Courtney (Cami) Kennedy, son-in-law Jeff Kennedy and grandchild Suzana Kennedy; his brother, Greg Moore, and sister, Deb Moore Vavra. He was fondly known as Uncle Frog to his many nieces and nephews. Most important to Dick, he leaves behind his loving and constant companion, Barb Bennett. As she said about Dick, he is the real deal. And he was.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held on May 27 at the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Kan., from 6-9 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the Cremation Center of Kansas City, cremationcenterkc.com. Donations in Dick's name may be sent to the Prairie Moon Waldorf School, 1853 E.1600 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66044. In honor of Dick's memory, plant something beautiful, and think of him when you listen to live music.