Daryl Duane Reichard

Friday, March 26, 2010

Daryl Duane Reichard, 44, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at his home in Stockton, Calif. He had fought a year-and- a-half long battle with a rare cancer.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, March 29, at 11 a.m., at Stockton Covenant Church, Stockton, Calif., and on Sunday, April 4, at 3 p.m., at Community Christian Church, Fort Scott, Kan.

Daryl was born Nov. 15, 1965, in Wichita, Kan., to Doyle and Darlene Reichard. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1984. While in high school, Daryl was active in cross country, track, basketball and a variety of other athletic activities. He was the state champion in Kansas 1A competition in cross country and track -- mile and two-mile events. Daryl set a new 1A state record of 9:33 in the 3200 and won the 1600 at a time of 4:28. He participated in many local running events and especially enjoyed running with his three brothers and his father. He was a member of the Athletes in Action team that ran in Switzerland. Daryl also participated on a Bible quiz team while attending the Assembly of God Church in Ottawa. The team placed third at the regional level at Oklahoma City.

Daryl graduated from Kansas State University in 1989 with degrees in engineering and secondary education math and science. Daryl ran on the KSU cross country and track teams. He lived in Smith Scholarship House at KSU and was active in leadership activities there. In the summer of 1989, Daryl went to California to study and met Erlinda Burgos, his future wife.

Before his marriage to Erlinda at University of Pacific Chapel in Stockton, Calif., on March 16, 1991, Daryl taught high school math at Hayward, Calif., and Kayenta, Ariz., on the Navaho Indian Reservation. There he coached the Monument Valley High School cross country and girls' track state champion teams. He then worked for Humboldt State University at Arcata, Calif., and Fountain Hills High School near Phoenix, Ariz., Shawnee Mission East in Overland Park, Kan., Gardner, Kan., and at Twenty Nine Palms Marine base. After teaching, Daryl worked for United Telephone and Pacific Bell Telephone, starting as a lineman climbing poles and working up to crew chief and engineer.

Daryl loved the Lord and was active in church activities that strengthened his spiritual life, which was a priority. He went on several church mission trips to Mexico with his children. He said that being a father was the hardest but most rewarding job of his life. He was very active in family life and helped his children develop discipline and character through the sport of swimming.

Survivors include his wife Erlinda, daughters Glory, Grace, Melody, and one son Chosen; parents Doyle and Darlene Reichard of Williamsburg, Kan.; three brothers and their wives, Davin and Betsy Reichard of Fort Scott, Kan.; Darin and Annette Reichard of Nixa, Mo.; Duane and Lori Reichard of Rantoul, Kan., and several aunts and uncles including Leonard and Betty Sullivan of Wichita, Kan., Lorraine Reichard of Pomona, Kan.; Rex and Elaine Gilliland of Overbrook, Kan.; Doug and Jean Higbie of Williamsburg, Kan. ; Dale (Buzz) and Pat Reichard of Garnett, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his brother Dave Reichard and uncle Albert (Dusty) Reichard.