Beloved father, husband and uncle, Richard Allen Wickliffe served his country and his fellow Kansans for many of his 88 years of life before he died on Feb. 1, 2026, at St. Joseph Manor in St. Joseph, Mo.
He was born on March 6, 1937, in Hutchinson, Kansas into a family full of boundless energy - and children. He was the second of 14 children born to Paul Gerald and Dorothy Mae (Coleman) Wickliffe. Many of them, like Richard, had careers serving their communities.
Richard was affectionately known in the family as “Feather,” though stories differ on just how that nickname came to be. He was also known to many people, simply, as “Wick.”
After graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1956 where he played football, Richard served his country in the U.S. Army’s 4th Armored Division stationed in Germany.
In August of 1962 he married Betty Jean Hughes, and they had two children - son Mark and daughter Kim.
After they divorced in 1980, he married Maxine Eldredge in 1981.
After the Army Richard worked for a while for Carey Salt in Hutchinson. Then in 1968 he joined the Hutchinson Police Department as a patrolman where his dedication to applying the letter of the law fairly and his well-known demeanor of calm helped him move high through the ranks.
Many people in Hutchinson came to know Richard through his police work. When he retired the local newspaper took note with a headline proclaiming, “‘Unflappable’ Wickliffe retiring.”
He was promoted to investigator in 1974, sergeant in 1976, lieutenant in 1987 and then captain one year later, a rank he held until he retired in 2001. He said once he had no regrets about his police career. “I was promoted as high as I wanted. Chief was too political. I was happy.”
Richard was one of the first officers responding to the scene of one of the department’s most tragic cases - the night of Sept. 15, 1972, when a young officer named Kenneth Kennedy was shot and killed in the line of duty.
Being a cop made Richard ever vigilant, even when he was off duty. He never sat in a restaurant or anywhere in public with his back to the door. His son picked up the habit.
Civil service ran in the Wickliffe family. Several of Richard’s brothers were firefighters.
After he retired, Richard took a job making deliveries for Don’s Custom Floral in Hutchinson, a job he kept until his health declined in 2024.
Richard could rarely go out in public without running into someone in Hutchinson who knew him. And maybe because of that job at the florist - or because he was just so charming - most of the people who would greet him were women. He was a people magnet.
Richard had numerous pastimes. Softball. Golf. Music. He was a big fan of the blues. B.B. King. Bobby Bland. When his son was just a young boy, Richard took him to his first concert - James Brown. His son is a professional musician today.
Richard loved dogs, too, and rescued many over the years; one was a puppy he rescued from someone selling puppies in a Kmart parking lot. He had numerous canine companions over the years.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy; brothers, Irl, Morris, Leroy, John, James, Gerald and Wayne; daughter, Kim Wickliffe Voth; wife, Maxine Wickliffe, and son-in-law Steve Voth, who passed just days before Richard.
He is survived by sisters, Doris Bernard, Carolann Holmes, Iris Walker, and Elaine Wickliffe; brothers, Kenneth and Vernon; sons, Mark Wickliffe & Troy Eldredge; daughter-in-law, Steffanie Eldredge; and granddaughters, Gabea, Tallea, and Piper Eldredge.
Among the many mourning his death are at least three generations of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. March 6, 2026, at Elliott Mortuary. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Burial Park, 2401 Carey Blvd, Hutchinson and Military Honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army Honors Team. Friends may sign his book 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St. Hutchinson, KS 67501.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Hutchinson Police Department, the Hutchinson Animal Shelter or an organization of your choosing.
The plaque Richard received when he retired from the police department read, “33 years served faithfully and honorably.” The same, truly, can be said for his life.