
Memorial services for Clarence Richard (“C.R.,” “Dick”) Herpich, 75, of Lawrence, KS, will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Saturday, February 9, at 2:00 P.M. C.R. died Saturday, January 12, in the cardiac intensive care unit at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
He was born December 23, 1943, to Rosalee Alma Herpich and Clarence Leroy Herpich in Atchison, KS, and grew up in rural Denton, KS, where his mother still resides. He was an active child whose love of sports, animals, and the outdoors helped shape the course of his life.
At Emporia State University he excelled in cross-country running and was a member of the 1961 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship team. He obtained a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from the University of Arizona, and proceeded to make his mark as a devoted high-school teacher and athletics coach across four decades.
C.R. spent his first year teaching in his hometown, Denton, and the second in Leon, the hometown of his future wife, Ruth. The next 38 years of his career as an educator were spent at Baldwin High School in Baldwin City, KS, where he helped establish the cross country program. C.R. also coached track and taught math, astronomy, and photography classes.
After surviving a battle with pancreatic cancer in 1997, he retired from coaching in 1999, but continued teaching classes at BHS until May 2005. Missing his involvement with athletes, he soon took a job as a driver for the KU Track and Cross Country teams, which he continued until his passing. In recent years, C.R. also worked as a cashier at Kohl’s. He always enjoyed seeing friends and former students, and hearing updates on their lives.
He was an avid nature photographer whose images were published regularly in Kansas! magazine and its associated calendars from the ’70s through the ’90s, under the byline Dick Herpich. He loved visiting and capturing the beauty of Arizona and Colorado too. He was especially proud of achieving his dream of having an image published in his favorite magazine, Arizona Highways, in 1977. His work was exhibited in many capacities over the decades. BHS annually gifted retirees with a framed print of his best-known photo, an image of Baldwin’s maple trees.
C.R. and Ruth were married in Emporia, KS, on December 21, 1967. They began a family in Baldwin, and in 1985 they relocated to Lawrence, where they remained. They raised three children and enjoyed the company of several beloved pets.
C.R. was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Leroy Herpich; his brother, John “Jack” Herpich; and his sister, Janet Scheibe. Survivors in the immediate family include his wife Ruth; their three children, Paul (with wife Lori) and David, of Lawrence, and Stephanie Elizabeth, of Worcester, MA; his mother, Rosalee, of Denton; and the families of his late siblings.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I remember when he came back for awhile while I was in highschool and taught dark room photography. They had just taken the class out of the school my freshman year and I was really sad. I got to take these classes and he really inspired me to be the photographer I am today. He was a awesome teacher and all around good guy. He touched the the Baldwin community in many ways through coaching cross country and teaching. He will be missed by so many. Thanks for all you have done. Rip Mr. Herpich
So very sorry for your loss praying for your family
Mr. Herpich was an inspiration to me and one of the reasons I went into education myself. He taught me the love of teaching and to connect with your students. I’ll never forget the first day he did the over the shoulder trick with the chalk into the chalkboard tray. I remember in high school him sharing his love of photography and his love of nature. Being an avid deer hunter myself we shared several conversations about hunting adventures. On the track team he always pushed us to be the best we could be. I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing.
Coach Herpich, thank you for all your dedication and support you gave to all. You were always such an encouragement to us in both Cross Country and Track. You helped many of us find the best we could be. You will be missed by all, my prayers go out to your family. Till we meet again Blind Man!
Ruth and family,
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. C. R. was a wonderful math teacher to my daughters, a wonderful photography teacher to me, and a great colleague at Baldwin High. I think of him every time I take a photo, which is often! He was intelligent, caring, brave, and perceptive. I am so glad I got to work with and know him. I am thinking about you all in this time of loss.
Roy Deel was saddened to hear of C.R.’s passing and had many great stories of the first years of Cross Country at Baldwin High School. We will be reminded of him whenever we gaze at the famous maple leaf tree photo that was given to Roy’s mom at her retirement from BHS.
I have always held C.R. in high regard as a fine gentleman, a truly nice person, & one of the best of so many fine teachers from Baldwin High School. His passing has saddened so many. Our memories tug from the best of times, and his tremendous influence & contributions to all who knew him keep his spirit with us. My condolences to his family & friends.
I was taken back to read of CR’s passing. I was in HR with KUAthletics and got to know him well. What a marvelous, caring individual he was, who always had an infectious smile on his face.
My thoughts go out to all of you during this emotional time.
Thanks to Mr. Herpich for being one of the best teachers my kids ever had. His lessons have been so important to them. The community has lost a truly great person. May he live forever in our hearts.
So sad to hear about CR’s passing. He was a great teacher in many ways, but know this-a teacher can tell if you did your homework by how you score on the test. This life lesson prepared me to go far. Rest In Peace!
I’m so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. You have my condolences.
Ruth, I am so very sorry to hear this news. I met your husband a couple of times at ISS pot lucks and was surprised to learn he had taught math at Baldwin HS and had known one of my teachers, Mr. Horn from many years ago. I also enjoyed seeing him frequently at Kohls…always so pleasant and friendly. Thinking of you and your family at this sad time and hope you are consoled by happy memories.
Coach Herpich, Your dedication to Baldwin High is second to none, as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend to all that passed through your hallway. I believe you created the “Hill” and “330 interval”, workouts that allowed us to accomplish more than we ever expected. The picture of my parents maple tree at Maple Leaf Festival is still a family favorite. May your family find strength in
friends, memories, prayer and each other.
I really enjoyed having Mr. Herpich as a teacher for math and especially photography class but even more as a coach for track. He pushed you to think and see the possibilities. He was one of my favorite. This is very sad news. My thoughts go out to his family. He will be missed by many.
So saddened by this news. C. R. Was a great teacher and colleague. I am so grateful that I have one of his fall photographs on my wall at home. Thoughts and prayers to all of his family. Gayle Dempsey
Saddened to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences.
I will best remember Coach as the Track Coach that always pushed us to be our best! His passion for us as Athletes and Winners no matter what we placed. His platform of training helped me and my team mates win a Gold Medal at State on his and our favorite race the 4×800 relay in 1988. That experience helped change my life. As for algebra….not so much for me lol. Coach you were one of the best and the memories with the awesome 3 consisting of Coach V and Coach Zuzzio will never be forgotten. Enjoy Heaven my Brother!!!
As he was for si many, C.R. was a huge influence in my life. Besides helping me to become a lifelong math geek, I have to credit him for my love of stargazing, photography and, most importantly, Jeopardy! It is amazing how influential such a quiet man can be – talk quietly and carry a big stick (of chalk)! Fare ye well on this next journey and say hi to Merle for me!
So saddened by this news. Coach Herpich never seemed to notice that I copied my algebra assignments off of Bob Lawrenz. Fun memories of his classes. I know his family will miss him greatly.
Thoughts and prayers to Ruth and family. CR was special to many of us.
Prayers for your family Ruth. So sorry for your loss. Let me know if I can do anything to help you at this time. RIP Love and peace from the Strole family
Mr. Herpich was such a special individual, teacher and coach for so many of us who attended high school in Baldwin. I am saddened to hear of his passing. He impacted so many lives of individuals over the years. He now joins other great Baldwin High School legends, Merle Venable, Mary Plank and Mary Jane Chubb, in a teacher’s lounge somewhere else. My condolences to the family-Mr. Herpich was an outstanding individual who will be missed by many.
I am in shock. My thoughts and prayers to Ruth and family. CR was a special man.
Coach Herpich was such a good teacher/ coach and example. His good friend, Merle Venable, is undoubtedly honored to be joined in heaven by the “blind man.” He and Merle enjoyed a respectful, loving relationship for all those years. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.
I had so much respect for C.R. .. He taught me so much about photography and was such a talent himself. Thoughts and prayers to the family!!