Birth date: Dec 18, 1941 Death date: Aug 21, 2015
Phillip Richard “Dick” Eastman, 73, a long-time resident of Grenola, KS, was welcomed home by Jesus on August 21, 2015. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He had carcinoma of the thymus. Dick was born in Decembe Read Obituary
I am absolutely heartbroken. To the entire Eastman family, please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences. Shortly after I came to work at the refinery in 1996 I was introduced to a few card games by Dick. I quickly learned the passion that Dick had for winning at card games. I can still hear today, the words that would often come through the phone line at the beginning of my night shifts "It's your deal" and "Get your crying towel & get over here" followed by the sound of him hanging up the phone before I could respond. In my 19 years of working at the refinery, the years that I spent playing cards and visiting with Dick in the break room at the lab are some of my most cherished memories. May the lord bless your family during this time of sorrow and lift you up, for you have truly been apart of something special. I will truly miss him, and I do have my crying towel today.
There's not enough room or time to "memorialize" my Uncle Dick, who was an official uncle but actually a brother in the way he "loved" us. It must have been an Eastman rite of passage to convince your very young neice & nephew to go "snipe" hunting. I believe Uncle Dick was the head organizer but his other 2 "assistants" didn't hesitate to take Vic & I to a very dark farm road with gunny sacks in hand.. We were to stay there (in the dark) at the end of the road with open sacks while they chased the "snipes" to us. It didn't take very long for us to realize we'd been had.
I have many but will only mention one other. Uncle Dick wanted to set trout lines in a small stream, so the evening before, Vic & I went with him in a flat-bottomed boat to set the lines. Next morning, very very early, we went back for the bounty. Nothing but empty hooks. In those eerie, early morning hours with fog rising from the stream, Uncle Dick raised the oar overhead, yelled "have you been saved," & slapped it on the surface....several times. You just can't make this stuff up.
Uncle Dick was definitely a vital part of molding me into the person I am today. He will be sorely missed.
My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Eastman family. I worked with Dick from 1991 until he retired. His fun loving nature and humor made for an enjoyable work day.
We have missed his smiling face. May you always remember how much he loved his family.We speak of him often and tell "Dick stories" to all of our new employees. His memory is alive and well in the hearts of his Refinery family. May the arms of our Lord enfold you in his loving embrace. -Deb Teter
Brit you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, may God wrap his loving arms around you during this time of grief and always.
Phyllis
Missing Uncle Dick's welcoming smile, great smelling pipe and sensible advice. Grateful for our family legacy. Love you all so very much!!!
