Frederick Pinne, III Obituary

Frederick John Pinne III, lovingly known as Rick, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, wit, and wisdom.

Born in New York, New York, Rick spent his early years in Pennsylvania before moving to Prairie Village, Kansas, in 1960. A proud graduate of Bishop Miege High School in 1964, he carried his Jayhawk spirit to the University of Kansas, where he met his beloved Wendy in the fall of 1965. As a devoted member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Rick forged lifelong friendships that he cherished deeply. After earning his degree in 1968, he served honorably in the United States Army in Anchorage, Alaska, from 1968 to 1970.

Rick pursued his passion for law, earning his Juris Doctor from UMKC Law School in 1973 and later an LLM. His professional journey began at Sprint/United Telecom, but he found his true calling as a professor at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) from 1973 to 2002. A dedicated educator, Rick served as Faculty Senate President and inspired countless students, many of whom he guided into international internships in Maastricht, Netherlands, and Vaxjo, Sweden. His academic schedule allowed for treasured family traditions, including summer escapes to Clearwater Beach, Florida, and spring skiing adventures in Colorado. Rick also served as President of the Warrensburg Country Club, where he fostered community and camaraderie.

In 2002, after defeating lung cancer, Rick and Wendy settled in Lawrence, embracing retirement with joy. Rick delighted in creating lasting memories with his grandsons, Jack and Josh, and relished monthly barbecue lunches with his Sigma Chi brothers. A passionate traveler and wine enthusiast, he shared his expertise at Cork and Barrel Liquor Store, where his knowledge and warm presence endeared him to colleagues and customers alike.

Rick's quick wit and generous spirit shone brightest in moments of connection. When offered a cocktail, he'd respond with a twinkle in his eye, "You ask the sick, you give to the well," a playful reminder to share life's joys. A lifelong learner, Rick excelled at trivia, loved a good story, and was a rare listener who valued others' words as much as his own. His affection for young people and engaging conversations left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Rick leaves behind his devoted wife of 57 years, Wendy; his daughter Jean and her husband Justin; his cherished grandsons, Jack and Josh; and his brothers Allan (Nancy) and Terry (Susan); nieces and nephews; Amy Wang, Marty Pinne, Madeleine Opsahl and Christopher Pinne. He was preceded in death by his brother, Fr. Christopher Pinne, S.J.

A funeral Mass to celebrate Rick's life will be held at Corpus Christi Church on Friday, June 6 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Children's Mercy Hospital https://support.childrensmercy.org/fundraiser/6398992 or the Lawrence Humane Society at www.lawrencehumanesociety.org, causes close to Rick's heart.