Richard Jay "Rick" Sanborn

Richard Jay “Rick” Sanborn passed away comfortably and peacefully at his home in the country on August 15, 2023, with his sister Wendy at his side. He was 69 years old. His parents, who always called him “Ricky” allegedly named Richard after Humphrey Bogart’s character in Casablanca. Richard was born on February 27, 1954 to the Honorable Keith and Wanda Sanborn in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from East High School, then obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at Wichita State University in 1977 before attending Washburn Law School. He obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1981, following in the law like his father. Richard was dedicated to the law. He worked in private practice in Wichita, starting the law firms of Cranmer & Sanborn, then Sanborn, Sadowsky & Mills, then working with his father, Keith at Sanborn & Sanborn. Richard also sat as a Municipal Court Judge for 13 years in Mulvane and Wichita. While practicing law and providing services as a Judge, he also held the title of Consultant Sedgwick County District Attorney, Legal Counsel to the Sedgwick County Clerk and provided counsel to the Great Bend, Kansas Police Department. Richard was an active member in the American, Kansas, and Wichita Bar Associations and sat on several committees. He was on the Board of Governors for the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association and was a member of the American Association of Trial Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Kansas Association of City Attorneys, the Wichita Labor Federation, and was a Phi Alpha Delta and Lambda Alpha. Simply put, Richard loved the law and strived to make a difference throughout his law career. He helped many who would not otherwise have had legal representation, often with just a promise to “make it right with him.” Richard was married prior, but later found the love of his life, Carole, whom he called Carley Sue, in 2010. They shared their love of the outdoors, bonfires, farm living, fishing, Minnesota, antique hunting, music and adventure. Richard, like his love of the law, truly loved music and was a talented musician. He loved to sing and pick his guitar, often with a small group of other talented musicians. He looked forward to the Winfield Bluegrass Festival each year and would share a new or old song with others while attending. Richard saw Elvis in the 1970’s in Las Vegas and met BB King and Waylon Jennings at the Hilton Lounge there, too. He lived life to the fullest, even obtaining the firearm that had shot him in his twenties. The bullet was meant for someone else, but in dealing with the District Attorney to obtain an attempted murder conviction for the intended victim, Richard made a deal to get the weapon after the trial. He succeeded. Richard was preceded in death by wife Carole and his parents. He is survived by sister, Wendy Sanborn Dougan (John), and nephew, Art Dougan (Samantha), Deb Sanborn and KJ Sanborn. Richard is also survived by Carole’s daughter, Cara Hull Beck (Tyler) of Salina and Carole’s two sons, Jason and Pierce. He leaves behind a myriad of beloved friends and his cat Sam and dog Tommie Sue - thank you to Adrian and Josh for adopting them. Please join us for Richard’s Celebration of Life on September 29, at 3:00 p.m. at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 East Central, Wichita, Kansas.In lieu of flowers please donate generously to your favorite Animal Rescue Group, Legal Defense Fund, Cancer Research, or consider becoming an organ donor.Richard, a gentle soul, left us with the precept “Speak not harshly…” May our lives be more gentle in knowing and remembering him. Speak not harshly, was the preceptWhich to man the Savior taught-May that precept ever guide us-Gentle words will cost us naught.