Dwight "Rick" Gwaltney

Dwight 'Rick' L. Gwaltney, III, was called to serve with God on November 9, 2011. Rick is reunited in everlasting life with his mother, June Dae Gwaltney. Rick, a proud father of four and grandfather of seven, is survived by his wife and soul-mate Patricia C. Gwaltney of Manhattan, Kansas and his father, Dwight L. Gwaltney of Hutchinson, Kansas. Rick is survived by his daughter Laura Mead and her husband Shawn, and grandchildren Samuel and Julia of Dodge City; his son Kevin Gwaltney and his wife Jordan, and grandchildren Madison and Alyssa of Dodge City; his daughter Monica Cameron and her husband Marc, and grandchildren Cade, Meagan, Mikaela of Manhattan, and his daughter Andrea Platt and her husband Ryan of Overland Park. He is the brother of Julie Weigel and her husband Craig of Manhattan; and Mark Gwaltney and his wife Tami of Lawrence. Rick was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on May 30, 1949. He was raised on a farm in northern Colorado near Grover, and graduated from Cheyenne East High School as the High School Athlete of the Year and participant in football, basketball, and track. Upon his graduation, he attended Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and University of Nebraska at Omaha where he majored in business and played basketball. Rick, a patriotic American, served five years in the Kansas National Guard in the Hutchinson and Dodge City Units. He was married to Patricia Maxine Caughron on June 30, 1973. Rick was the owner of Diamond Roofing of Dodge City and Manhattan, Kansas. He was a generous contributor to Kansas State University, Dodge City Community College, Dodge City High School, Dodge City Roundup, and many other local charitable organizations. Rick was passionate about furthering the development of children in Dodge City and Manhattan in academic and athletic pursuits. Rick was deeply devoted to his church. He served as a Trustee of the First United Methodist Church of Dodge City, was the Chairman of the Building Committee at the First United Methodist Church of Manhattan and a Stephen Minister. In addition to this passionate service to his church, he was committed to his civic responsibilities where he was a Rotarian for the Manhattan and Dodge City clubs, serving as Past President and a Paul Harris Fellow. Furthermore, he was a Vice President of the Dodge City Roundup Committee, belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Dodge City, and an active member of the Manhattan and Dodge City Chambers of Commerce. His commitment to the roofing industry was exemplified by his membership of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association, where he served on the Board of Directors, the Foundation Board, and was recently elected to the Executive Board. Rick was founding member of the Kansas Roofing Association and he regularly attended trade shows and conferences actively promoting his profession. Rick was regarded as an industry pioneer by many for his vision, knowledge, creativity, honesty, commitment, and dedication to the advancement of the entire roofing industry. He proudly served as a mentor to his fellow roofing contractors, as well as many of his employees. He will be remembered by his family, church, community, and industry for his compassion, honesty, integrity, and generosity. Please join his family as we honor him with a funeral service Monday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. in Manhattan, Kansas at the First United Methodist Church, 612 Poyntz Avenue. All friends are invited to join his family to share their memories of Rick over lunch following the service in the Fellowship Hall. The family will also celebrate Rick's life at their home at 2:00 p.m., 5205 Norwood Court in Manhattan for all who would like to attend. Graveside services will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City on Tuesday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service at 1910 La Mesa Drive in Dodge City, Kansas. Memorials may be offered to the First United Methodist Church Building Project, Manhattan, Kansas and the First United Methodist Church, Dodge City, Kansas.