Obituary of Dick Brumitt

Richard Stanton "Dick" Brumitt, 88, long-time resident of Doniphan, Missouri, died at home surrounded by family on June 3, 2015. He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, to whom he was married for 62 years, and their 5 children along with many friends and acquaintances, all of whom he dearly loved. Mr. Brumitt, son of Lee and Hazel Brumitt, was born in East St. Louis, Illinois on October 18, 1926. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and a master's degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. As an athlete in his hometown of Edwardsville, Illinois, Brumitt developed a passion for coaching and quickly ascended the basketball coaching ranks with successful stints at Greenville College in Illinois, St. Charles High School, Central Methodist University, and University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also served as athletic director and was responsible for starting baseball programs at CMU and UMKC. In five years at CMU, Brumitt's teams won two conference championships and two second place finishes while defeating several larger schools on their home floors, including Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri State University, and Florida State University. Brumitt's winning record is among the highest in CMU's long history and he was recognized for his teams' accomplishments with induction into the CMU Hairston Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He had close, lifelong relationships with many of his former players. After Mr. and Mrs. Brumitt moved to Doniphan in 1959 to raise their family, Mr. Brumitt owned and operated, among other businesses, a Ben Franklin Store and sporting goods shop in downtown Doniphan and Salem, Arkansas. Brumitt later established Brumitt's Sporting Goods as a stand-alone store in downtown Doniphan. The halls and gyms of Doniphan R-1 Schools were graced with letter jackets purchased from his store. His hand-made trophies sit on the mantles of many local athletes. He was a well-known high school football referee in southeast Missouri for many years and a skilled golfer and bird-hunter in his prime. Brumitt was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Mizzou Tigers fan but cheered the loudest for the Doniphan Dons and Donettes. In 1968, Brumitt began a long run as Trustee of Three Rivers College Board representing Ripley County and, overall, spent 24 years in that capacity. Later, he served as a Board member of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust Foundation. He was a tireless advocate for TRC and fought for equitable distribution of scholarships to all geographical areas served by the college and actively supported keeping tuition affordable for all students. He was especially motivated to assure that all citizens of Ripley County had equal access to a college education. Primarily in honor of his longtime community service as a TRC Trustee, Brumitt was recognized as the 1997 Doniphan Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Brumitt was a dedicated member of the Doniphan United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School classes, served on the church board and enjoyed being a member of the Choir for many years. He was known throughout the community as a welcoming and caring person. Surviving are wife, Barbara, of the home; 3 sons, Rick (and Veronica) Brumitt of Houston, Texas, Tom (and Cathy) Brumitt of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Lee (and Kris) Brumitt of Stilwell, Kansas; 2 daughters, Susan (and Jim) Meyer of Wichita, Kansas, and Mary (and Steve) Betzhold of Argyle, Texas; grandchildren, Eric, Ben (Sara), Tim (Annie), Emily, Sam, and Caroline Brumitt; Derek (Katherine) and Natalie Meyer; Claire and Sophie Betzhold; step-grandchildren, Erin and Audrey Gibson; great-grandchildren, Nicholaus, Peyton, Jett, Cade and Mason; and a brother, Roland (and Vicki) Brumitt of Fairview Heights, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bob and Ray Brumitt, and one grandson, Alex Betzhold. A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the Doniphan United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary with Revs. Kent Wilfong and Jerry Reynolds officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Doniphan United Methodist Church, 305 Plum Street, Doniphan, MO 63935 or Three Rivers Endowment Trust Scholarship Fund, c/o Director of Development, 2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.