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Richard Julius Rosenfield

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University of Kansas

Richard Rosenfield Obituary

Richard Julius Rosenfield, 89, of Onaga, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia. He was born August 28, 1922 in Junction City, the son of Joseph and Blanche Wickline Rosenfield. He was the second of three brothers and one sister. After high school in Junction City he attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in education in 1947. While at KU he met and married Wanda Lee Dumler, and together they moved to Onaga where he took his first teaching job. Coach Rosenfield taught biology, chemistry and photography while coaching football, track and various other sports. He later became the Athletic Director and held that position until his retirement. When he was not teaching or coaching he managed the Onaga City Pool each summer and worked in the Onaga Post Office. He was a dedicated member of the American Legion, the VFW, and PT Boats Inc., having served as a PT boat crewman in the South Pacific during World War II. He was also an active member of the Navy Amateur Radio Club and enjoyed talking to friends daily all over the U.S. and the world. Over the years he would travel to visit his radio "buddies", including good friend, Betty Victorine, in North Carolina, and many wonderful friends in Florida. He was a longtime member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Onaga. As a member of the Topeka Jayhawk Club, he greatly enjoyed supporting KU football, KU basketball, and the KU Relays. He took many friends and family to football games at Memorial Stadium through the years. In addition, he would never back down from a spirited debate about the Jayhawk/Wildcat rivalry. Rock Chalk!!!! Other hobbies Coach enjoyed included building and flying remote control airplanes, photography and playing cribbage with friends each morning at the local caf and at Eastridge. One of his proudest moments was having the Rosenfield Sports Complex in Onaga named in his honor, and having so many friends, former students, and athletes come back to celebrate with him. Coach was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, who died November 22, 1975, his son Robby, who died in 1980, two brothers, Joe Rosenfield and Robert Rosenfield, and one sister, Inga Rosenfield. Survivors include his daughter, Becky Householder, Lawrence, three granddaughters, Tabbatha and Melissa Householder, of Lawrence, and Amanda Parker and husband Michael, of Shawnee, four nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 25th at the Onaga High School Gymnasium. Burial with military honors will follow in the Onaga Cemetery. Coach will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Friday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga where family and friends will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Community Hospital, Onaga or the KU Endowment Association, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 312, Onaga, 66521. On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Feb. 23, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Rosenfield

18 Entries

Leesa Wilson

February 24, 2012

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I know that he raised an incredible daughter and three granddaughters, all of whom I love dearly. My prayers are with the four of you and my heart will be with you tomorrow. Much love.

David & Gailya Miller

February 24, 2012

"Coach" was many things to us. He was our teacher, our coach, a mentor to our children and a good friend. We were so fortunate to have had a good visit with him about a year ago. He was definately an asset to Onaga. Becky and granddaughters were the lights of his life. May God confort you.

Ronda Boling Lang

February 24, 2012

I agree with all that was said! He was a Special Man who touched my heart as well! I remember sitting in his class listening to him teach and one of my fellow classmates in the back would be talking and he would toss an Eraser at the Metal blinds and the whole class jumped! :) To his family may GOD be with you thru this difficult time!

betty ellis

February 24, 2012

Coach was one shining example of a dedicated teacher, coach and mentor to so many. I had him in high school as a biology teacher. Having just come over when Wheaton closed I was somewhat intimidated by the whole new school experience but it seemed he understood and was always there to make me feel a part of things. When he threw an eraser at me one day in class when my mind wandered...I knew I had arrived!!! Many memories...strength to you Becky and your family....Betty Ellis

Katie Renyer

February 23, 2012

Coach touched so many lives and influenced many lives in Onaga. He will be greatly missed. I will never forget him saying "Chop! Chop! Hubba! Hubba!" when it was time for the pool to close. My thoughts and prayers are with Becky and her family. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! Go KU!!

Amy Abitz

February 23, 2012

Coach was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

February 23, 2012

I can still hear his announcement when the swimming pool was about to close for the day. I don't remember the exact words (basically, time to get out, walk, don't run to the changing rooms, etc), but it always ended the same way...

"Chop, chop, hubba, hubba!"

He was one of those people I would have surely tried to see again, if I'd ever been back to Onaga to visit.

Bev Stauffer Thrower

February 23, 2012

I was fortunate to have Coach as my sophomore biology teacher, and because of this I know one important thing - when in doubt, guess Osmosis! He was a great man, a great teacher, a great Jayhawk fan (not easy to find in Onaga, which is deep in Wildcat Country!) Thanks for fixing my knee, coach, for keeping us all out of trouble in the pool all summer, and for just being you. We will miss you.

Shelly Flint

February 23, 2012

Coach was an awesome man. He treated everyone he encountered with respect, regardless if he knew you or not. Although my family moved to Onaga in 1999, I am so thankful to have known of this gentleman and that my kids had the priviledge of interacting with him on his "field." Onaga has definitely lost a shining star. Our prayers are with the family during this time. Rock Chalk!

Kathy (Fager) Barr

February 23, 2012

Wow! Where does one even begin?? As messages before me; he was an awesome teacher, coach & friend. I'll never forget the time in Biology class he put me on his "electric chair" for chewing gum. Working for him at the Onaga City Pool was so much fun! Mark Bonjour and me, ohhh the memories. May you and your family enjoy the memories, Becky!! Thoughts & prayers are with you at this time.

Janet (Chestnut) Vega

February 23, 2012

Coach will be greatly missed.

Josh Lee

February 23, 2012

Coach Rosenfield...one of the great ones.

Curt Winters

February 23, 2012

Coach will long be remembered by all who came in contact with him. He was not only a great coach but also a dedicated teacher and an inspiration to all who knew him. I was fortunate to have been coached and taught by him.

Kathy Zwygart Simpson

February 23, 2012

Coach was an awesome man!! I have so many memories of Coach that are fun to re-live!! My summers were spent at the pool, and with his coaching I was able to develop some darn good swimming and diving skills. At school, I had a locker outside his classroom a couple of years and remember him sticking his head out the door to make jokes now and then; or, to see what I was screaming about. Coach was a great man, and is someone that I will never forget!! RIP Coach Rosenfield!! Go KU!!

February 23, 2012

He was a great teacher. Left a great legacy to those who knew and loved him. My prayers are with the family.
LaNita Flinn Milligan (Ponca City OK)

Reen Berges

February 23, 2012

Sorry for the loss of coach He touched many more lives than can ever be imagined. He was such an influence on everyone he touched as a coach, a teacher and friend He will be missed greatly.

Roberta & Neil Schilling

February 23, 2012

What a legacy to leave to so many who were his students throughout the years. He was a great teacher and a great coach to many. His memories will live on. Our prayers are with Becky and her family at this time.

Sam & Nancy Flowers

February 23, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

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