Richard Vliet
December 9, 2011
Vliet, Richard, 67, real estate developer and entrepreneur, passed away Friday, December 9, 2011. Rich was devoted to his family, friends, and the Old Town community of Wichita. He celebrated life and projected optimism every day. Memorial service, 10 a.m., Monday, December 12, Grace Presbyterian Church. Preceded in death by parents, Elvin and Ann Vliet; sister, Mary Zerbe. Survivors: wife, Marni (Tasheff) Vliet; daughters, Whitney Vliet Ward (Mike) and children, Jackson, Cooper and Georgia, of Wichita, Sasha Vliet (Matthew Lawrence) and child, Sebastian, of Austin, TX; brother, Ed Vliet (Billie) of Wichita; mother-in-law, Mary Louise Tasheff of Wichita. Memorials established with Botanicas Downing Childrens Garden, c/o Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203-3199; ALS Association, Keith Worthington Chapter, North Rock Business Center, 3450 N. Rock Rd., Bldg. 200, Ste. 211, Wichita, KS 67226 and MDA, c/o Intrust Bank, NA, P.O. Box 816, Wichita, KS 67201-0816.
Memorial Serivices will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at Grace Presbyterian Church. The family will be receiving friends immediately following at Larkspur Restaurant, 904 E. Douglas.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Marni & Family ~ I was blessed several years ago to know you, Rich and the girls. My daughter and I enjoyed visiting when we were there for Halloween when Cortney was little. Although I did not know Rich very well, he was always extremely nice as well as you and your wonderful family…May God give you strength during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
To Ed, Billie, Marni and family, Rich was always a delight to be around he is a great inspiration to many others in the Old Town Community as well as the many friends he has made thru the years.The Wichita world is a better place because of Rich. My deepest sorrows go to all of you Sincerely Mary Certain
Dear Marni and Whitney and Sasha, I first met Richard when we were in the sixth grade. Our families both lived in the Cloudridge addition and we went to school together – through high school. I have thought of him often in the past years. I am saddened to learn of his death and sorry for your loss. Sincerely,
Marni and Family so sorry to hear of the Passing of a wonderful Man. I was so glad to have know both of you when i worked for many years at the Looking Glass Resturant. He will be missed by many. May God Bless you all during this time
Marni, Whitney and Sasha, This is truly one of those moments when our deep sense of loss, is more than balanced by our ability to celebrate the magnitude and goodness of Rich. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know Rich and you primarily through The Looking Glass, and later the Larkspur, where I experienced many of the most delightful times with family and friends. I have never been in another restaurant that could close to what Rich had put together – a great menu, as well as the incredible waitstaff, with the Larkspur. Jack Jones
Dear Marni: Since Vassar street, over 60 years ago; since Junior High basketball with Rich in the 1950s; since Phi Delt years and movie making for Hippodrome; since teaching your students about Africa in the early 70s; since helping to find stain-glass for Doctor Redbirds over 30 years ago – life has been full of wonderful memories, enriched by both of you. Now, with Rich gone, we pray that the fullness of God’s grace will fill your life; that you may know through Him peace that surpasses all understanding; and, that at this time of year and on-going, that you may know the Prince of Peace during this time of year and on-going; the Light of the World. Blessings, my friend. Ray Dorsett
I met Rich in Junior High School, even then he stood out. Rich was good at his profession but more importantly he was a good, good person; first class in every respect. My deepest sympathy to the family; Rich will always be remembered.
My deepest sympathies to your family. I know Rich fought a good fight but now his pain is over and he is in a better place.I was a pledge at the Phi Delt house when Rich was an upperclassman. He was well respected and the life of every party.
Marni and family ~ I am so sorry for your loss. I never had the chance to meet Rich, but heard so much about him over the years. One thing I am certain of is that he felt and knew your love (Marni) and that of the rest of the family. I wish him save passage in his transition, and wish comfort and strength to all of you he left with cherished memories. Blessings and comfort! Maas
I worked for Mr. Viliet for several years as both day waitress and cashier at the Looking Glass around 1978-79. When Rob ran the bar….Rich was the best boss I ever had. He had great respect for his workers. I loved my job and liked working for him. My heart goes out to your family and I know how much you will miss him. So sorry.
Rich has and will always be an inspiration to me. Over the years I’ve attempted to pattern my life based on those that I’ve respected, admired and cherished. Rich was truly one of them.
Dearest Marni, my heart is heavy writing this. Rich was everyone’s idol. We will miss him forever. The one shinning memory that will stay with us left behind is the love and support your family gave to Rich and to each other and to all of us, really, throughout the whole ordeal. Rich lived years later than the disease dictated because of your family’s arms around him. You, Whitney, Mama Lou–such a legacy for all of us. You were the beacons of light showing us how precious life is up to the very last second. Rich radiated that ‘health’ of your love to the end. You did good and it left us wanting to do good as well. God bless and keep you.
Having gone to high school with Rich and crossed paths many times through the years, my thoughts and prayers and with all of you. I lost Bob this past February with the same type of desvastating disease and know too well the long hours of care and loving that have passed these past 6 years. Bob and Rich were in PT at Via Christi in the beginning and Bob mentioned several times their moments of conversation during therapy. God bless all of you. Rich is finally warm and free of his suffering.
My sincere condolences to Marni and the rest of the Vliet family and next of kin. Rich was a great, great guy!!! I worked for him and Marni at Sister Jennies and at the Looking Glass when I lived in Wichita and was a student at WSU in the early ’80’s. In reflecting back upon my interactions with Rich, I have to say with all sincerity that I have never known a more charming, charismatic person!
Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Vliets and their extended family.
I greatly enjoyed the talks I had with Rich and Marni in the evenings as a caregiver. They would always ask me how was my day, And I would have a great story to tell them. Rich and Marni shown great compassion and was very good listeners to every problem or issue i’ve presented to them. I will miss my friend, Rich. I felt that whenever I had a problem, he would always give me a solution to my problems. Marni will also. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of your life…. I will miss Rich Greatly. He was my Friend. A friend to talk to and get advice from always and A caring Friend.
My sympathies go out to Rich’s family. He was such a kind and gentle man and is fondly remembered.
Rich Vliet was a role model in every way, from family to friends to professional to civic/community progress….always an example of how to be in the world – always positive about everything!!! Love, Monica and James Smits
I was fortunate to become friends with Rich when we both joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity at WSU in the early 60’s. I admired Rich not only for his character, but his upbeat personality and his love and dedicaiton to his family. I shall never forget his many mannerisms that always made everyone around him feel good. Even as he struggled thru life these past few years he remained the same old Rich. He was an inspiration for all of us, and will be greatly missed by his many friends.
Dear Marni & Family, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and condolences on your loss of Rich. He was the most creative rehabilitator of properties that I ever met and Iwas always in awe of his abilities. Wichita lost a truly great man and I feel myself lucky to have known him. Hang in there and praise God that he\’s no longer hurting. You\’ll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers that you\’ll have comfort @ this time of loss. Sincerely, Bert Stalke
To Ed and Billie and all of the family: We were so sorry to hear about your loss. Sincerely, Tom and Dixie Telander
Marni: While I did not have the pleasure of meeting or knowing Rich, I have heard only wonderful comments from those who did know him. During this difficult time, may you and your family be comforted by the many good memories and the love and support directed your way by your many friends and admirers. I send sincere condolences.
Julie and I really enjoyed knowing Rich for his positive outlook on life and business. He truly was someone that cared for us and our business. We will miss our regular visits. Our condolences to the Vilet Family. Having such a great person in your family, he will be missed deeply. Love, Richard and Julie Gottsponer @ Sandbar Trading
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your family