Richard F. Owen

RICHARD FRED “DIAMOND DICK” OWEN Born July 1, 1952 in Omaha, Neb., passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Feb. 17, 2026, at his Mission Hills, Kansas home.

Dick graduated from Benson High School in Omaha in 1970. He then attended Colorado State University, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, graduating in 1975.

From there, Dick began a long, prosperous career in the steel industry. Born into a steel family, Dick began his career confidently, first at US Steel until 1977, when he relocated to Fargo, North Dakota, where he opened and operated Northern Plains Steel.

From there, he built and managed two new steel service centers and plants in Wichita, Kansas, (1981) and then in Kansas City, Kansas (1987). From 1980 to 2002, Dick served as President and Owner of Central Plains Steel Company.

After two decades, Dick sold Central Plains Steel and began a retirement filled with travel, tennis, skiing in Telluride, and plenty of late nights enjoying live music.

Of course, before all this, Dick met his wife, lifelong partner and traveling companion, Virginia “Ginger” McCord Owen at age 15 at the Minnesouri Angling Club in Minnesota. They were by one another’s side for 46 years.

In retirement, Dick and Ginger continued to enjoy summers at the MAC Club where they met with their two daughters, Lacey and Caroline, and, later, their grandchildren.

If there was a basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse that Dick didn’t attend, it could be argued it wasn’t worth attending. (That doesn’t mean he didn’t watch it.) The same could be said for his Kansas City Chiefs. Dick and his family braved the blistering cold at Arrowhead Stadium and cherished their time together every game, win or lose. Whether at Allen Fieldhouse, Arrowhead or the comfort of his home, the game was never watched quietly — it came with full analysis, spirited discussion and more than a few thoughts on what could have been done differently.

As a father, Dick’s presence was steady, proud and constant.

He did not miss a single tennis match throughout his daughter Caroline’s years of competitive tennis, traveling the country for tournaments and remembering every detail of every match as if it were his own. He was devoted to his daughter Lacey’s sports, attending her swim meets and basketball games with steady pride.

His pride in his daughters was unwavering.

Dick was a doting and deeply loving grandfather. Known as “Di-Di,” he was ever-present in the lives of his five grandchildren, holding them close to his heart and showering them with unconditional love.

Di-Di never missed a soccer, basketball, or football game for his grandchildren in Kansas City. He was always there, cheering from the sidelines and beaming with pride.

For his granddaughters in Dallas, though he could not attend every game, he never missed a birthday party, special event or Grandparents’ Day at their school. His presence was constant and his pride unmistakable.

Dick’s patronage, guidance and love also extended to Kansas City. As a civic leader, he served on the boards of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Zoo, Folly Theater, Boys and Girls Club, Kansas City Country Club and The Pembroke Hill School, where his daughters once attended and his grandchildren now attend.

Dick also served as treasurer and board member of St. Luke’s Hospital and as president of the River Club, the Minnesouri Angling Club, and the Country Club Swim Association of Kansas City.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ginger; daughter, Lacey Maughan, and her husband Kevin Maughan, and grandchildren Thomas Richard, Parker Owen and Eleanor Emma Maughan of Kansas City; daughter Caroline Weber, and her husband Louie Weber, and granddaughters Dorothy Ann and Virginia Margaret Weber, of Dallas, Texas; brother Robert Owen; sister Kathie Stemm; sister Margaret Gray and her husband James Gray; and an abundance of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Fred and Dolores Carlson Owen, and his sisters, Carolyn Anderson and Barb Scanlan.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Friday Feb. 27 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Pembroke Hill School, Christ the King Catholic School in Dallas, Texas, where his five grandchildren attend school.