Richard Curtis Wyatt was born in Sterling, KS, March 4, 1924; attended the Sterling Grade School and High School, graduating in 1942. He attended Sterling College prior to service in World War II with the 1st Bn, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division through New Britain and Okinawa, followed by occupation duty in China. Upon returning home, he attended the University of Kansas specializing in accounting. Wyatt was recalled for the Korean War with the U.S. Navy from 1950-1952 on the U.S.S. Okanogan (APA 220) and the U.S.S. Fort Marion (LSD 22). Richard Wyatt and Anna Lou McAllaster were married on April 5, 1947 in Sterling, KS and have two sons, Ray, now of Abilene, KS and Rex, living in Martinez, CA. They have four grandsons, one great-grand son and one great-granddaughter. Richard Wyatt was employed by Peoples Savings and Loan Association, Sterling, KS on January 1, 1953 and was elected President of the Association in May, 1959. He was instrumental in a merger with First Federal Savings & Loan, Dodge City, KS on July 1, 1983, and became Sr. Vice President-Treasurer of Landmark Federal Savings & Loan Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the associations from 1959 until his retirement in 1991. During his tenure with Peoples Savings, Richard served as President of the Midwest Savings Conference in 1962-1963; served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka which supervised the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado from 1968 to 1972, and served as President of the Kansas Savings and Loan League during the year 1975-1976.
Wyatt has remained active in church work. Richard and his wife, Annie, served as Treasurer of the United Presbyterian Church in Sterling for 15 years, and Richard served as a ruling elder of the session. He was chairman of the building committee for the planning and construction of the new Sterling United Presbyterian Church which was dedicated in 1971. Since moving to Dodge City in 1983, he has remained active in church work and is currently Treasurer of the First Unite Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt have been involved, since 1963, with the Experiment in International Living (now World Learning), an international exchange program, and have hosted over 250 international visitors in their home. Richard has been a Rotarian since 1948 with the Rotary Clubs of Sterling and Dodge City and has enjoyed a perfect attendance for over 53 years since returning from the Korean War. Other activities which Richard has enjoyed were serving as Clerk of the Board of Education of the Sterling schools for 18 years, and working with the athletic departments of both Sterling High School and Sterling College in officiating, scorekeeping, and doing the public address announcing for most home football games from 1952 to 1983. He has also served on the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.