Dr. C. Richard Powell
Dr. C. Richard Powell, who practiced dentistry for more than 50 years in Evergreen, Colorado, died February 5, 2023, in Minnesota. He was 91.
Known as Dick to his friends – and Baba to his children, grandchildren and most of their friends – his memories faded over the last few years as dementia took its toll. Blessedly, some things couldn’t be erased and always brought a spark of recognition and a smile. Foremost among them were his wife and love of his life, Helen, who predeceased him in 2015; his children, even if it was just recognizing their faces; and the Kansas Jayhawks.
A people person without peer, Baba found and made friends wherever he went. Whether it was in and around Evergreen, where he and Helen settled in 1961 and where he treated generations of patients at his office, first on Main Street, and later on Buffalo Park Road. Or while visiting any of his children, from Montana to Kansas City, North Carolina to Minnesota. If we ever lost track of him (and trust us, we lost track of him a lot. In the neighborhood. At the grocery store. At the Mall of America.), we were sure to find him deep in conversation with a new friend, most likely a fellow KU fan, breaking down that year’s team.
Dick Powell was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1931, the youngest son of Dr. John F. and Lois Cole Powell of Council Grove, Kansas. After graduating from Council Grove High School, he attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, before enrolling at the University of Kansas in Lawrence at the start of his junior year. His KU years were the source of great memories, and stories. Living behind the old Dairy Queen (and being among the only people in town who could get DQ in the winter); leading his Air Force ROTC flight to parade; watching Clyde Lovellotte’s Jayhawks win a national championship in 1952. We heard them all.
In 1955, he married Helen Elizabeth Dowell, concluding a lengthy courtship that began at Helen’s fifth birthday party. After completing dental school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the two moved to Ankara, Turkey, where Dick served in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Turkey, Dick and Helen traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and Europe, sparking a love of travel, far-off places and international cuisine that they shared throughout their lives.
Once back stateside, the young family moved to Colorado, where Dick had nurtured his love of the outdoors as a camp counselor. He shared that passion with his three children, hunting and fishing in Kansas and Colorado, camping in the Rockies, skiing at Crested Butte, riding horses at home in Evergreen, and playing golf just about anywhere.
Throughout his 60 years in Evergreen, Dick was compelled to serve. Whether on the board of trustees for Kent Denver School, stepping in as a coach for baseball and soccer (despite a lack of experience in either!), or taking on volunteer leadership roles in Kiwanis, Mount Evans Hospice or the Colorado Dental Association, he saw each as an important opportunity to give back, as well as a great chance to be with old friends and make new ones.
Baba is survived by his children John Dowell (Becky), Ann Powell Ryan (Stephen), and Richard Cortland (Kristen); grandchildren Dale Elizabeth Powell, Noah Mason Ryan, Cecilia McIntosh Ryan, Charles Cole Powell and Carson Ann Powell; and great-granddaughter Estella Rose Powell.
A memorial and celebration of Dick’s life will take place at a later date.
Contributions to support senior care at The Rosemount, Dick’s home in Minnesota, may be made in his memory to Cassia Living, https:// www.cassialife.org/giving. Please specify Greatest Need and The Rosemount in your contribution.