Richard (Dick) Browning Hayter, 81, died Oct. 20, 2024, at Good Shepherd Hospice Home in Manhattan, Kansas. He was born March 28, 1943, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Kenneth Hayter and Marjorie Browning.
Dick graduated from Brookings High School in 1961 where he met his future wife, Barbara Bonzer. Both Dick and Barb attended South Dakota State University in his hometown, and he earned his bachelor’s-of-science degree in mechanical engineering in 1965. Dick was active with ROTC in college and after graduation joined the Air Force where he achieved the rank of captain. He trained as a jet engine designer and test engineer at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, Connecticut, before moving into active duty in the Air Force at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma, and McClellan AFB in Sacramento, Calif. His two children were born in Sacramento – Sheila in 1967 and Ryan in 1968.
Following his military career, Dick successfully pursued his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. He served as an associate professor for the university before accepting a role as executive vice president for Energy Management and Control Corporation (EMC2) in Topeka, Kansas. During his time in Topeka, he served on Gov. John Carlin’s cabinet as Kansas energy secretary.
Dick returned to Kansas State in 1980 and held the position of director of the university’s Energy Extension program for 20 years, then served as an Associate Dean of Engineering for External Affairs until he retired in 2009.
Dick was a consummate volunteer throughout his lifetime. He was passionate about Boy Scouts starting as a Cub Scout and earned his Eagle Scout award at age 15. He continued his involvement as an adult volunteering as a scoutmaster in Sacramento and Topeka and in advisory positions with the Coronado Council. He served in many leadership roles within the ASHRAE, a global organization for professionals in the buildings industry, including as a senior officer on the Board of Directors and as ASHRAE president in 1995-96. While president, he and Barb traveled to Europe, South America, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia representing the organization. He continued to actively hold leadership and volunteer roles in ASHRAE and other aligned organizations well into his retirement. Dick lectured in more than 34 countries during his career.
As a student member then advisor for the Tau Beta Pi engineering honors society, Dick worked for decades to provide opportunities for a new generation of students to grow their engineering careers. In 2008 he was named as the organization’s national advisor of the year.
Dick was passionately committed to providing community leadership in multiple capacities in Manhattan, Kansas. He volunteered for roles with the Manhattan Planning and Zoning Commission, co-chaired and served on boards for McCain Auditorium, Hale Library, the Manhattan Regional Airport advisory board and the Manhattan Arts Council.
He was elected to serve on the Manhattan City Commission (1987 – 91) and he was mayor of Manhattan (1990 – 91). Dick was active with the Optimist club and served as president of the service organization’s chapters in Topeka and Manhattan. Through his lobbying efforts, he secured significant funding to expand K-177 (Bill Snyder Highway) and K-18 in Manhattan. He was named citizen of the year by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce in 1999. He also served on the state board for the Red Cross.
Dick was active in the choirs of Peace Lutheran and First Lutheran churches and the Flint Hills Masterworks Choir where he was well known for his bass voice. He was an avid spring break downhill skier and organized annual trips to Colorado, Idaho, and Utah for the Manhattan Ski Club. He also was the KSU student ski club faculty advisor for many years.
Dick was passionate about the outdoors and enjoyed riding bikes, hiking, and taking his family on cross country road trips.
Dick is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter Sheila Hayter (Greg Oaklief), Golden, Colo.; son Ryan Hayter in Manhattan; four grandchildren, Megan, Brennan and Kian Oaklief in Colo., and Grayson Hayter, Manhattan; former daughter-in-law Stacey Frakes; sister-in-law Janis Anderson and brother-in-law Vern Anderson, Carrington, N.D.; niece Gretchen Sharp (Brian), Bath, S.D.; nephew Pehr Anderson (Teresa Esser), Milwaukee, Wis.), and cousin Doug Telkamp (Teresa), Colman, S.D.).
A service in Dick’s memory will be held at First Lutheran Church in Manhattan on Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. Central Time followed by a reception at the Kansas State Alumni Center.
Memorial contributions in memory of Dick are suggested to the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation [www.mcfks.org/make-a-donation]www.mcfks.org/make-a-donation, or also a memorial for Richard B. Hayter has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation, contributions may be sent to KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502; please indicate fund M47485. To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials and select “Richard B. Hayter Memorial Fund, or contributions may be left in memory Presidential member Richard B. Hayter ASHRAE Memorial Fund www.ashrae.org/hayterfund.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 is assisting the family with service arrangements. ymlfuneralhome.com.
