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Track and Field Mourns Passing of Former Kansas Great Rick Ensz
12/9/2024 1:14:00 PM | Track & Field
HILLSBORO, Kan. - Former Kansas Track and Field athlete Rickey (Rick) Dean Ensz, 67, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2024, at the Kansas University Medical Center after losing his battle with cancer.
He was born May 13, 1957, in Wichita, Kansas to Willis and Marilyn (Wiens) Ensz. Survivors include his parents, son, Christian of Colorado Springs, Co., brother Scott of Kansas City, Mo., companion, Brenda Dean Wood, and his former wife, Gail Roberts. He was predeceased by his brother, Kelly.
Graduating from Wichita South High School in 1975, he went on to attend KU on a track scholarship. A member of the cross country team from 1975-1978 and track team from 1976-1980, he excelled as a middle-distance specialist for the Jayhawks. Ensz was a two-time team captain, as well as an Indoor First Team All-American as a part of the sixth place two-mile relay team in 1980. He was also a member of the conference championship winning men's team during the 1980 track season.
Academically, he completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering and, later, his M.S. in Environmental Engineering.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th at 10 am with service to follow at 11:00 am at Hillsboro United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, KS, officiated by Reverend Margaret Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Rick Ensz Track & Field Fund, the Rick Ensz Civil Engineering Fund at www.kuendowment.org/RickEnsz or the Church of the Resurrection in care of Jost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 266, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.Â
He was born May 13, 1957, in Wichita, Kansas to Willis and Marilyn (Wiens) Ensz. Survivors include his parents, son, Christian of Colorado Springs, Co., brother Scott of Kansas City, Mo., companion, Brenda Dean Wood, and his former wife, Gail Roberts. He was predeceased by his brother, Kelly.
Graduating from Wichita South High School in 1975, he went on to attend KU on a track scholarship. A member of the cross country team from 1975-1978 and track team from 1976-1980, he excelled as a middle-distance specialist for the Jayhawks. Ensz was a two-time team captain, as well as an Indoor First Team All-American as a part of the sixth place two-mile relay team in 1980. He was also a member of the conference championship winning men's team during the 1980 track season.
Academically, he completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering and, later, his M.S. in Environmental Engineering.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th at 10 am with service to follow at 11:00 am at Hillsboro United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, KS, officiated by Reverend Margaret Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Rick Ensz Track & Field Fund, the Rick Ensz Civil Engineering Fund at www.kuendowment.org/RickEnsz or the Church of the Resurrection in care of Jost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 266, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.Â
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