In Memory

Richard Lawrence Barnhart

Richard Lawrence Barnhart

From Becky Janzen:

From The Wichita Eagle, date unknown, but approximately June 3, 1970. I know Rick's death occurred only a few days after our graduation, and the newspaper refers to the "Monday night collision," which would have made it on Monday, June 1, 1970.

HEADLINE: Turnpike Crashes Kill 5; Two-Day State Toll Is 10

(continued from Page 1) "... Investigation into a two-car accident that killed an 18-year-old Wichita man hinged on an interview with the driver of a second car, police said Tuesday.

The second car driver, Ray A. Pinkerton, 58, of 2722 Everett, remained in critical condition at St. Francis Hospital with injuries he received in the Monday night collision. Police said preliminary investigation of the accident indicated Pinkerton possibly was driving in the wrong lane at the time of the accident.

The accident killed Richard L. Barnhart, 18, of 212 N. Robin Road, and injured four persons, including Pinkerton. A passenger in the Barnhart auto, Brenda M. Jacobs, 15, Goddard, was in critical condition at St. Francis Hospital. Two other passengers were injured less seriously.

The accident occurred about 11 p.m. Monday in the west-bound lane of the 5300 block on West Kellogg.

Services for Barnhart will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Byrd-Snodgrass Funeral Home Downtown. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery.

He was a lifetime Wichitan and a graduate of Wichita West high school. He was president of Delano 4-H Club. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Barnhart; three brothers, Ronald L., David A., and Jeffrey L. at home, and grandparents, Mrs. Henry Mattison, Wichita, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Barnhart, Johnstown, Pa."

posted by: Becky Janzen who cut out the original article and saved it all these years. I did not keep page 1, so I do not have the exact date of the article.