Richard Sapp Obituary

Dr. Richard C. "Dick" Sapp, age 95, of Lawrence died on January 24, 2024. He wrote most of the following in 2011 as he wished to chronicle his life for when this time came. We will be gathering in the pub at Pioneer Ridge Independent Living, 1000 Wakarusa Drive, from 4-6 PM on Thursday February 1st to share stories and hugs and celebrate his life. This will be a very casual gathering and all friends are welcome.

Richard was born September 8, 1928, in Kokomo Indiana, the son of Charles L. and Mildred Pyle Sapp. After living in Bluffton, Indianaoplis, and Muncie Indiana, the family settled in Wilmington Ohio, where he went to public schools, graduating from Wilmington High School in 1946. He then studied at Wilmington College, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949. From 1949 to 1955 he pursued graduate work in physics at the Ohio State University, earning a Ph.D. in 1955 with a dissertation based on experimental research involving nuclear, solid state and cryogenic physics.

Richard spent two years at Rice University in Houston, Texas, as a Welch Foundation Fellow and post-doctoral research associate in the Physics department, studying magnetic solids at low temperatures. He was then appointed Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas. After promotion to Associate Professor in 1963 and Professor in 1969, he taught courses and directed research in solid state and nuclear physics at cryogenic temperatures until he retired in 1993 after 36 years of service.

His professional memberships included Sigma Pi Sigma, Sigma Xi, American Associations of University Professors, American Association of Physics Teachers, and American Physical Society, of which he was a Fellow. He held an Alfred P. Sloan foundation fellowship in 1962-64. His career at KU reflected his lifelong passion for learning, teaching and intellectual curiosity.

Richard married Phyllis A. Miller on June 8,1957 in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by Phyllis and their children Kathleen of Minneapolis, MN and Michael C and wife Angela of Dayton, Ohio. Richard and Phyllis embraced life post-retirement and after living in the home they designed and enjoyed for 57 years, moved to Pioneer Ridge Independent Living. Richard greatly enjoyed watching sports, especially his beloved Jayhawks, reading, and after moving to Pioneer Ridge was a regular attendee at the Men's coffee group where he was admired for his memory, humor and trivia knowledge. He remained involved with the KU community as a professor emeritus and was a member of the Endacott Society. Richard and Phyllis were lifelong travelers, particularly after his retirement. While having many academic and career achievements, Richard valued his family above all.

Richard lived long, well, and was deeply loved. At his request, in lieu of flowers, donations supporting Physics and Astronomy Scholarships can be made to KU Endowment, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044 or online at http://kuendowment.org/Sapp. Donations in his honor to an organization of your choice are also welcomed.