Remembering Dick Zinn, 1941-2023

Dick Zinn, 1941-2023

Dick Zinn graduated from East High in 1959, so he was not a member of our class. As one of the stars of his class, however, he played a prominent role at East High for many of us. Dick seemed like a heroic presence, but he was always unassuming, down-to-earth and a sincere friend both during high school and afterward. He stayed in touch with members of the Class of 1960 over more than six decades and attended our class reunions regularly with his wife, Diane Rusch Zinn. 

During his years at East High, Dick compiled a sterling academic record that helped earn him a place at Stanford and then at KU Law School. Those who shared his classes saw his intelligence in action. 

For the  rest of us, he exemplified the concept of Big Man on Campus. Elected president of the East High Student Body, Dick led the student government and was an official representative of the high school.  He was also an outstanding three-sport athlete, a leader on the football, basketball, and track and field teams.  We elected him king of the 1959 Junior-Senior Prom, our first. We watched him kick off the football as starting center on East’s successful 1958 football team.  A member of the starting five on the equally successful 1959 basketball team, he played in every game. In track and field, he was a state champion in the shotput. 

Our condolences to Diane and the Zinn family. Click here to read Dick’s obituary: Richard L. Zinn, 1941-2023.

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 throw and sharing personal stories. We were each others’ 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.

Gene Carter

Everybody will have Dick Zinn stories. During our 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.

Fred Elder

Dick was first known to me as the senior who played the center position on our Wichita High School East football team.  He was an agile and talented football player, who not only had grace and excellent control of his body, but also had grace and excellent control of his interactions with others.  Dick was a strong performer on the football field and in the academic classroom, as well as being a friend to all he met.  Everyone was pleased with his many successes at East High and beyond.

Dick and Diane were also quite gracious in their life together.  I was invited into their home on different occasions and I know many others were likewise invited for conversation, a meal or an overnight stay.  Dick remained a stalwart friend to all he knew, offering his legal skills, his hunting knowledge, and his strong commitment to a life well lived.

We were all fortunate to have Dick Zinn as a friend and fellow life traveler. 

Ric Knorr

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.

Skip Granger

I find myself grieving for a friend that I have not seen in well over 50 years. Dick Zinn was in the class ahead of me at KU Law School. Not long ago, I received an email from Dick asking whether I had an email address for Mike Elwell, one of my Sigma Nu brothers who was in his law school class. After complimenting me on my posts on the Class of 1960 website, the always gracious Dick said, “I want to send [Mike] a short note and provide his email address to the few remaining members of a bird hunting group in which Mike and I were participants throughout the 70’s and 80’s.” Dick seemed to enjoy connecting and reconnecting with friends as much as I do.

We all knew and respected Dick Zinn, who was a pillar of the Lawrence community — an incredible athlete, family man and attorney in Kansas. Cheers, Dick!  RIP

Gerald Fry

My Memories of the Great Dick Zinn:  Though I did not know Dick well, I have many fond memories of him, and he was one of my idols.  My first contact with him was when we were part of a team that won a little league championship in Wichita.  With his awesome power pitching, he carried us to victory and was also our de-facto manager and leader.  Then I got to watch him play football for both East and Stanford.  He seemed to excel in every sport, football, basketball, baseball, and track & field.

At our 50^th class reunion in 2010, I had a really long, fun chat with Dick about college sports.  We shared a passion for watching exciting college basketball.  Then at our most recent reunion in fall, 2022, I had the chance to observe his wicked golf game, no surprise given what an awesome athlete he was. 

I deeply regret that he and Diane never had a chance to come to visit me in Siam. Dick would have really enjoyed playing golf there. – Gerry Fry, October 27, 2023

Dick and Diane Zinn, 60th Anniversary, 2022