Richard Freidenberger, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 92. Born December 30, 1932, in a two-bedroom farmhouse in Bison, Kansas, Richard was the second youngest of nine children who grew up working the land, harvesting wheat, and raising cattle.

The year 1954 marked an unforgettable chapter in his life: he graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts, married the love of his life, Aleda Kleweno, and volunteered for the United States Army. After training at Signal School in Georgia, he was stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska. A devoted husband and father from the very beginning, Richard made it home to Kansas—thanks to the kindness of the Red Cross and a fellow serviceman's $20 loan—when his wife experienced complications at the birth of their first daughter, Brenda. As chance would have it, while Richard was on leave, his troop shipped out to Korea. Upon returning to Alaska, he was permanently assigned as assistant message center chief, where Aleda and baby Brenda soon joined him.

After his discharge in 1956, Richard and his family returned to Kansas. With Aleda's encouragement, he began what became a long and accomplished career at Boeing. His talents in engineering and electronics led him from facilities planning and drafting into the electronics lab. In 1957, Richard and Aleda welcomed their son Donn into the world.

In 1967, Richard was transferred to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico as a flight test instrumentation engineer. There, the family welcomed their daughter Jeanie and discovered a passion for rock collecting, a hobby that filled their home and garage with beautiful treasures.

Upon returning to Wichita, Richard pursued a master's degree in electrical engineering from Wichita State University while working as an electronics design engineer on wiring diagrams and circuit design for aircraft simulators. His career later took him to Edwards Air Force Base in California in 1979, where he supervised and led instrumentation efforts on B-52 bombers and cruise missile integration projects. He retired proudly as a test operations manager in 1992, having dedicated decades to aviation engineering and national defense.

Faith was central to Richard's life. A devout Lutheran, he served as elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, secretary to the Lay Ministers, and was once even called on to deliver a Sunday sermon when the pastor was unexpectedly away—a memory he cherished despite the nerves it caused.

Richard also found joy in community service and the outdoors. He was an active Webelos leader with the Boy Scouts, encouraging many scouts on their path toward Eagle rank. He loved fishing and hunting trips with family in Western Kansas and later found delight designing and stocking the pond near his Wichita home, even organizing youth fishing tournaments so neighborhood children could share in the fun he so loved.

Endlessly inventive, Richard was a creative engineer at heart. Over the years, he developed numerous unique devices, from fishing pole holders to pellet stove timers, and even co-invented a toilet seat lift. He was proud to hold three patents and to be an active member and officer in the Inventors Association of South-Central Kansas.

Family was Richard's greatest joy. He often said he had lived "a very blessed life" and spoke lovingly of his wife Aleda, his partner in every adventure until her passing. He treasured time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who remember his warmth, humor, and the playful afternoons spent on the floor with toys like Cooties and Mr. Potato Head.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Aleda. He is survived by his children: Brenda Banta (Tim), Donn Freidenberger (Donna), and Jeanie Botkin (Matt). He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Aaron Banta (Nicki), Jennifer Youngblood (Bill), Donnie Freidenberger (Christine), Adrienne Banta-Brown (Kurtis); Ceres, Nicholas, and Kennedy Botkin; Jeff and Sarah Hammond; and Mary and Jacob Williams; and great-grandchildren Perry, Kellen, Isabel, and Claire Youngblood; Cecilia Banta-Brown; Brian Smith; Jacob Williams; and Marcus and Andreas Reed.

Richard will be remembered for his deep faith, brilliant mind, inventive spirit, and the kindness and love he showed to all. His family and friends will hold his memory close and continue to be inspired by the blessed life he lived.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, September 12, 2025, at Ascension Lutheran Church 842 N. Tyler Wichita, Ks. with a burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery 6231 W. 47th St. S. Wichita, Ks including Military Honors.