Richard William Brundage, 81, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on June 24th, 2022. He was born on December 16th, 1940 in Santa Cruz, California to Walter and Cristine (Taylor) Brundage.  Two of his greatest loves, piano and golf, began in California resulting in lifelong hobbies.

Richard began his distinguished military career by enlisting in the Montana National Guard in 1962. Then in 1964 he went to Officer's Candidate School, graduated number one in his class, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Richard then attended Armor School at Fort Knox, KY and was designated an Armor Officer. In 1966 Richard went on Active Duty with the U.S Army as a First Lieutenant. He then attended Jungle Warfare training and after graduating received orders to Vietnam. In February 1967, he started his first tour with D Troop, 17th Cavalry, ground reconnaissance. He oversaw four river patrol boats for riverine operational commitments that included night ambushes. After six months in Vietnam, Richard was promoted to Captain and reassigned as the Assistant S-4 for the Brigade. In 1969 Richard was assigned to the Army's Armor Officer Career Course at Fort Knox, KY. After completion of the course, Richard received his second set of orders to Vietnam. Upon arrival in Vietnam, Richard was put in charge of the I Corps MACV Press Center in Phu Bai. He ran the daily Five O'Clock briefings to the international correspondence corps. Later Richard wrote a book titled Five O'Clock Follies based on his experiences. He considered this one of his greatest achievements because of the impact on others as well as the cathartic writing process.  In September 1970 Richard received orders again to Fort Knox where he was assigned as the Chief of Production, Fort Knox Television. A year and a half later Richard received orders to be the Officer in Charge of the U.S. Army News Team traveling the world with an open plane ticket covering news. In 1975 Richard was promoted to Major and left active duty in 1976. Richard then joined the Army Reserve in Kansas City and oversaw the Army's Hometown News Center. Richard retired from the Army on December 16, 2000. Richard's military awards were the Bronze Star Medal (3 awards), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 Campaign Stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (w/Palm & Frame).

Following his heart, he graduated from Park University with a Master's in Television Production.  To list all of his accomplishments and adventures would quite literally take pages and pages.   Just to name a few, Richard produced a PBS television show titled, "Small Business Journal," competed and earned the title of 1994 ABRA Reserve World Champion Cutting Horse; rode camels through the pyramids in Egypt; started his own business, American ProVideo; overnighted in the United States Embassy in Prague; and swam with whales in Australia.  His career and passions took him around the world.  However, his greatest achievement was the number of lives he impacted.  Richard most recently was honored to be a part of the Vietnam Veterans of America PTSD/Substance Abuse Committee.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Christine; siblings, Walter "Lew" and Carol; and son, Kerry.  Richard is survived by his wife, Susan; three daughters, Kelly (Kerry) Hensley, Tai (Rex) Shriner, and Tara (Jason) Abrams; grandchildren, Tim (Maryann) Scheiffele, Karissa (Nathan) Snead, Hanna (Todd) Hensley, Rachel Hensley, Hayden and Sloane Shriner, Zach and Zoey Abrams, and Nicholas Brundage; and 6 great grandchildren.

He always had hugs, words of wisdom, a melody to play on the piano, snacks from Costco, and a listening ear.

Visitation will be 12:00 to 1:00 P.M., Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, Kansas. Memorial service will follow  at 1:00 with the burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to https://vva.org/donate/