Dick Zinn, 1941-2023
Editor’s Note: Dick Zinn was a member of East High’s Class of 1959, a year ahead of us, but was a prominent part of high school for many of us, a leader of the football and basketball teams and many activities. Dick was a friend to many in our class and a regular at every reunion with his wife Diane Rusch Zinn ’60. A condolence book is available at warrenmcelwain.com/obituary.
Obituary
Richard L. “Dick” Zinn, longtime Lawrence resident, devoted family man, tireless legal advocate, and avid outdoorsman, died peacefully following a brief illness on Thursday morning, October 19, at University of Kansas Medical Center with his wife and children by his side. He was 82.
The husband of Diane (Rusch) Zinn for 61 years, Mr. Zinn is survived by his wife; three children and their spouses, Lauri (Zinn) and Brion O’Connor of Hamilton, MA, Robert and Kate Zinn of Bolton, MA, and Jennifer (Zinn) and Jamie Woodhead of Nashua, NH; seven grandchildren, MaryAlyssa and Brynne O’Connor, Emma and Olivia Zinn, and Thomas, Lauren and Kristen Woodhead; two siblings, Robert Zinn and his wife Donna, and Nancy (Zinn) Conway; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Rebecca L. Zinn, and a brother, Steven R. Zinn.
Born in Wichita on March 29, 1941, the son of Mary (Albright) and Russell W. Zinn, Mr. Zinn excelled in both academics and athletics at Wichita East High School. He earned All-American honors in football and First Team All-State honors in basketball and track & field. He received a scholarship to play football from Stanford University, where he made a number of lifelong friends. During his sophomore year, he was captivated by another Wichita native, Diane Rusch, who would become the love of his life. The two married and started a family while Mr. Zinn continued his studies in political science. After graduating from Stanford in 1963, Mr. Zinn earned his law degree from the University of Kansas in 1966, where he was a fellow in the Order of the Coif and an associate editor of the University of Kansas Law School Review, and began his rewarding tenure with the Lawrence law firm of Barber Emerson, L.C.
During a career spanning more than 50 years, Mr. Zinn displayed an unwavering dedication to his profession, highlighted by the many accolades he received as an expert in corporate law, estate, tax and business planning, and real estate transactions. He was a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Council, the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, and the American Bar Foundation. He was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1966, followed by admission to the United States Supreme Court and United States Tax Court, and was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Trusts and Estates in 2011, 2013, and 2023. As a testament to his keen sense of obligation, Mr. Zinn was still practicing law, tending to his clients, when he recently became ill.
Despite his professional accomplishments, Mr. Zinn’s most cherished achievements came as a husband, a father, and a friend. Even as a fledgling lawyer, Mr. Zinn and his wife would take their young family on epic, month-long summer vacations throughout North America, instilling a sense of exploration and curiosity. Though he worked long hours, he often ended his days telling stories – made up spontaneously – to his young children at bedtime. Following the death of their daughter Rebecca in 2012, the Zinns helped establish the Zinn Writing Project at the Liberty Memorial Central Middle School and the Lawrence Arts Center.
A member of First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence since 1967, Mr. Zinn was known for his commitment to his faith, his community, and his convictions. He served on the board of directors for the Bert Nash Center, The Salvation Army Advisory Board for 40 years (member emeritus), the city’s Human Relations Board, and was a founding member of the Jayhawk Chapter of Quail Unlimited.
He will be remembered for his insatiable inquisitiveness, his quick wit and self-deprecating sense of humor (especially regarding his shoe size), and his almost encyclopedic memory of all things related to sports, particularly KU basketball. He was dedicated to mastering the English language, constantly adding new words to an ever-expanding vocabulary in order to convey his thoughts precisely. A fan of music, he enjoyed classical compositions and popular songs from the 1950s and ‘60s.
Mr. Zinn also appreciated the rewards of a rigorous life. A lifelong athlete, he embraced the ideal of living every moment to its fullest, typically starting his day with a sunrise workout before heading to his law offices. He jogged for many years, accumulating more than 25,000 miles, according to a journal he kept. He relentlessly sought out new adventures, from skiing to mountain biking to golf. Though a latecomer to golfing, he achieved his lofty goal of shooting a score of 80 by his 80th birthday.
Yet Mr. Zinn never lost his childhood infatuation with hunting, which he learned from his father, passed along to his son, and shared with many fellow enthusiasts. There was no better day than walking an open field, whether in Kansas or Montana or Vermont, where he loved tracking upland game birds with his beloved hunting dogs, or settling patiently into a deer stand or a duck blind, accompanied by a strong cup of coffee and a prized Labrador retriever.
Above all else, he maintained high standards for himself, for his family, and for his friends, which engendered countless enduring relationships. Mr. Zinn treasured family gatherings, sharing milestone moments with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and reunions with friends old and new. Throughout his life, his character was defined by integrity, and a bedrock belief that simple gestures – a kind word, a firm handshake, a comforting hug, a gentle laugh – meant a great deal. He was a man who held his passions deeply, and those who knew him best cared deeply about him.
Memorial services have been scheduled 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, 2415 Clinton Parkway, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Salvation Army (1202 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, Kansas 66046) or Just Food (1000 E. 11th St., Lawrence, KS 66046).
Everybody will have Dick Zinn stories. Junior year, three seniors – Bob Adams, Virginia Walters, Dick Zinn – and I had a square of seats and Dick would repeatedly have me trying to keep from laughing as they all needled the loony teacher. But to me, his best demonstration of calm in adversity came one morning as I overnighted with them in Lawrence. Diane and I were staggering around as he headed for work after breakfast, plowing hard into my rental car in the drive. In he came, matter of factly saying what happened, apologizing, giving me the name of insurer, apologizing again and GONE. In his shoes I’d have alternated between being catatonic and hysterical.
Best wishes to Diane and kids.
I will remember Dick in my daily Chaplet of Mercy prayers for the faithfully departed.
During my years at Roosevelt and East, I always felt a close kinship with Dick. In student government, I decided I could do no better than follow the pathway he had cleared to President of the Student Council at Roosevelt and President of the Student Body at East.
In football, he was center who anchored the offensive line. I always felt secure as quarterback whenever I positioned myself behind him. He expertly spun his long snaps to me as punter—except for the one lone snap in the West game when the football sailed 5 feet over my head! Dick significantly influenced my decision to accept a grant-in-aid in football at Stanford. He visited me during my extensive knee surgery at the Stanford Medical Center.
In track, we both benefited from Bob Crumpacker’s teaching us the O’Brian glide technique. During my Junior year, we spent time together in practice at the shot put ring refining our throws and sharing personal stories. We were each other’s biggest fan in all throwing competitions.
Later during our professional careers, we met only occasionally —usually whenever he accompanied Diane at a class reunion. Even at a distance, though, the strength of my early bond with Dick never diminished. He was a remarkable friend, mentor, and hero.
My most prayerful condolences to Diane and family,
Calvin
I was shocked to learn this sad news! Dick was good to this underclass man. And I enjoyed being his teammate on East’s Basketball and Track Teams. Getting to be our age, one really appreciates the friendships we’ve had. Dick, thank you.