Kansas State University lost a tremendous friend and supporter in the passing of Richard Mistler in late May 2024. Rich graduated from K-State in 1962 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. As a student he served as a member of Blue Key Senior Honorary and as President of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. This was just the beginning of his service and leadership to his beloved alma mater. He served on the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees and provided support to many campus entities, most specifically the K-State Chapter of Blue Key National Honorary and the Staley School of Leadership.
Rich showed his belief in the talents and dedication of college students by funding Blue Key in its transition away from managing homecoming to providing leadership development programming to students across campus beginning in 1991. He remained a steadfast supporter of Blue Key and continued to grow his support not only financially but by spending quality time with the students and modeling to them what it means to give back to their university. Because of Rich and the ongoing support through the Mistler Family Foundation, Blue Key offers a variety of leadership and self-development programs annually, including Quest Freshmen Honorary, Leadership Appreciation, Catalyst Self-Development, College to Career transition programs, the newly established Mistler Fellows Program and many other annual programs. Through his leadership and support, Blue Key members work hard to develop their leadership skills and abilities, but more importantly, he gave them the opportunity to intentionally cultivate the best in others.
In 2010, Blue Key and the Staley School of Leadership integrated the CliftonStrengths for Students© assessment into both the Catalyst and LEAD 212: Introduction to leadership studies, course curriculum. Rich saw the strengths assessment as a powerful resource to help students identify their natural talents. In 2011, with a lead gift, Rich provided the support which introduced the CliftonStrengths for Students initiative across campus, a program that empowers and enables students to identify and leverage their strengths to become successful students, professionals, and community members. Over 17,000 K-State students have identified their top five strengths thanks to Rich’s continued investment in students. This is another example of how Rich and the Mistler Family Foundation worked closely with the Staley School to identify meaningful educational resources and ways to integrate these resources across campus to increase student success. This partnership allowed for the creation of the K-State Strengths coaching and one-to-one strengths peer coaching sessions, moving students from strengths identification to strengths development.
His sense of purpose, dedication to his passions, work ethic, focus on continual improvement, and leadership were steadfast since his days as a student. Rich’s absolute passion for self-improvement was evident in everything he did, and he consistently modeled this commitment to others. His modeling and mentorship helped countless numbers of young people chart a life of service, character, integrity and self-improvement.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd, Fairway, Kansas 66205. While not expected, flowers for the service are welcome, or a donation to the Rich Mistler Memorial Fund at the Kansas State University Foundation that will be used to support ongoing self-development programs for students. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, please indicate fund M47477. To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/mistler. The obituary is available online at this link: https://cremationcenterkc.mykeeper.com/RichardMistler.
Thoughts from former K-State colleagues and friends
“Rich Mistler unselfishly served as a pioneer in helping K-State systematically broaden the footprint of student leadership development across academic disciplines to generations of our students. He initiated a campus book program encouraging students to engage in self-development in the 1980’s, funded the effort for Blue Key to development programmatic offerings in leadership development starting in the 1990’s, supported Leadership Studies in its modest beginnings, helped make possible the creation of the campus food pantry, and made it possible for all incoming freshmen to benefit from the Gallup strengths program. And these are just a few examples of his impact on our campus and our students. Rich was everything you could ask for an authentic supporter of our student leadership development programs. We are so grateful the Mistler Family Foundation continues to support Rich’s vision to strengthen the K-State undergraduate experience.” – Pat Bosco, former vice president for student life and dean of students, Kansas State University.
“As an active member of my Blue Key class, Rich lived – daily – the standards of Blue Key. He valued the honor and recognition of membership, and he always took the commitment seriously. Rich was exceptional. And then he just kept living those values, continued to help others, to serve community, to be his best and help others to do the same. He gave his time and his resources consistently and he’s made a huge difference, from our time together as members and throughout his lifetime.” – John Carlin, former governor of Kansas and visiting professor/executive in residence at the Staley School of Leadership.
“Rich Mistler was a catalyst for change. He invested deeply in the personal growth and development of K-State students to reach their full potential and thrive. Because of Rich’s investment over 17,000 students have identified and developed their top five CliftonStrengths aimed at increasing student engagement and well-being. Rich’s passion for student leadership development is still changing lives through the Mistler Family Foundation directed by his daughter, Megan Mistler.” – Mike Finnegan, associate professor and director of K-State Strengths, Staley School of Leadership.
“Rich Mistler demonstrated his passion for K-State, personal development, and education by investing in intentional programs and activities. He also fostered personal connections with K-State students, faculty, staff, and other alumni. One of the results of this was his positive impact on students’ development. Generations of students experienced more meaningful learning and personal development through Rich’s example and mentorship.” – Emily Lehning, K-State alumna and former Blue Key advisor.
“Passion. Purpose. High expectations of self and others. Continual and consistent self-assessment and improvement. Giving back. These are all characteristics modeled by Rich Mistler from the time I first met him while I was serving as a member of Blue Key through the on-going support provided to K-State by Rich and the Mistler Family Foundation today. Rich embodied everything it means to be a K-Stater and a Blue Key Member. He consistently modeled the Blue Key motto, “Serving, I Live”. His willingness to invest time and resources made an impact on thousands of students and his lasting investments will continue to do so for years to come. Rich is a true example of how one person can use his passion to change the lives of countless others, for which I and so many others are personally grateful.” – Jackie McClaskey, K-State and Blue Key alumna and current Blue Key advisor.
“I met Rich over 30 years ago through the KSU Foundation Trust Management Committee. Rich’s time and commitment to helping others was remarkable. His ability to connect with people, regardless of one’s role, was admirable. He always made time to listen, to offer help, and to share a word of encouragement. He had a natural gift for making people feel valued and respected.” – Kent Sedlacek, senior executive gift planning officer, KSU Foundation.
“Rich modeled the ideals and aspirations of leadership, while investing in opportunities for the leadership development of others. Rich was committed to self-development, assessment and continuous improvement, and serving others. He lived these commitments in all aspects of his life – again, serving as an extraordinary model for generations of K-Staters. Rich had a passion for students to discover their full potential, and his generosity and example has made a difference in the lives of thousands of K-State students.” – Mary Tolar, dean, Staley School of Leadership.
As Rich’s little sister and K-State graduate 1970, I agree with all the heartwarming comments I’m reading. You certainly know what Richard valued and how he lived. He was a totally awesome big brother, and so very easy to love.
Barbara Mistler Crew