Richard Patrick O’Grady, 84, of Papillion, formerly of Topeka, KS, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. He was born on November 19, 1933 in Dawson, NE the son of Patrick Paul and Florence Francis (Vrtiska) O’Grady.
Richard graduated from Hiawatha High School and joined the U.S. Navy before going to work for the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office in Topeka retiring as a Supervisor Personnel Management Specialist with over thirty years of service. He initially was the Administrative/Personnel Officer for the Air National Guard in the Adjutant General’s Office before being a charter member of the Technician Personnel Office serving the full time employees of both the Army and Air Guard when the National Guard received Federal Civil Service status in 1969.
He was widely known as the subject specialist for all things in Federal Civil Service and was the Chief Management Negotiator for federal union contracts. Richard enjoyed playing cards, playing golf, traveling and spending time with his friends and family. He was a member of the American Legion and a Lifetime member of the National Guard Association of Kansas and the United States. Richard married Sally Sue Williamson on May 20, 1960 in Emporia, KS. She preceded him in death February 9, 2017.
Survivors include a daughter, Kathleen O’Grady-Bell (Ron) of Papillion, NE; three grandchildren, Patrick, Brandon and Alexis Bell; step-grandchildren, Catherine (Mike) Venditte, Ronald Bell III; two sisters, Janice Morgan and Marjorie (Ed) Beckham; a brother-in-law Jay (Peggy) Williamson; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, where the family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604 or the Kansas National Guard Museum, Forbes Field, 125 SE Airport Dr, Topeka, KS 66609. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.
