Richard Pankratz

Richard Dean Pankratz, 73, died Saturday in Topeka. He was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Hillsboro to Harry and Ruth Pankratz.

He graduated from Hillsboro High School and Tabor College, then received a master’s degree in history from Emporia State University in 1968.

He worked as a school teacher in Kansas and Nebraska from 1961 to 1970. In 1970, he began working with Kansas State Historical Society, where he worked for 34 years. He was director of historic preservation and cultural resources before retiring in 2004.

He was a member of Cornerstone Community Church in Topeka. He was baptized in 1951 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

He married Phyllis Reimer on Jan. 27, 1973. She survives.

He is also survived by a daughter, Kristi Pankratz of Topeka; a sister, Ruby Sjodin of Canyon Lake, Texas; and a brother, Herb Pankratz of Abilene.

Services were scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at Cornerstone Community Church, Topeka. Interment was to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka.

A memorial fund has been established with Cornerstone Community Church.