In loving memory of Norman “Dean” Crossman, March 4, 1940.June 8, 2025.
\Norman Dean Crossman, affectionately known to all simply as “Dean”, passed away peacefully
doing what he loved most…fishing for trout at Roaring River, Mo. Born on March 4, 1940, to Harry
Crossman, Sr., and Viola Mae Downing in Bison, Okla., Dean lived a life marked by resilience,
dedication, humor, and an unwavering lover for his family and community.
As a young boy, Dean survived a severe brain injury that doctors said would leave him unable to
walk. But true to his determined spirit, he defied the odds – not only learning to walk again but going
on to play high school sports. That same grit and strength would define the rest of his life.
Dean married the love of his life, Dianne (Wulf) Richardson, on the most romantic day of the year,
Feb. 14, 1967. In 2025, Dean and Dianne celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
Dean proudly served in the Air Force National Guard, retiring after more than 25 years with the 184th
Jayhawk Air Wing Motor Pool. He also retired after working for 33 years as a meterman for Western
Resources – also known as Kansas Gas & Electric and later Evergy – earning the respect and
friendship of many along the way.
A devoted Ford man, Dean never owned anything but a Ford vehicle. Known for his quick wit, he was
famous for ribbing his Chevy driving friends, often walking them over to their truck with a grin and
asking, “Can you hear it rusting just sitting there?”
Dean also had a passion for coaching and mentoring. He coached his children, Selina, Greg, Roger
and Jason, as well as many young athletes over the years. Former players reached out to tell him
how much he meant to them.
Dean is survived by his loving wife, Dianne, and their children, Selinda Martin and her husband Pat
Martin of Salina, Gregory Richardson (deceased) and his wife Melinda Richardson of Winfield, Roger
Crossman and his wife Michele Crossman of Olathe, and Jason Crossman and his wife Traci
Crossman of Mulvane. He was a proud grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren,
each of whom brought joy to his life and many stories to his legendary fishing trips.
He also is survived by two sisters, Harriet Oliver and Linda Sexton, and five brothers, Darrell
Crossman, James Crossman, Jack Crossman, Dwight Crossman and Larry Crossman; and many,
many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gregory Richardson; his parents, Harry Crossman, Sr., and Viola
Mae (Downing) Crossman; and three brothers, Donald Crossman, Harry “Bud” Crossman, Jr., and
Duane Crossman.
Dean’s life was a testament to perseverance, service and love. Whether he was fixing a truck, telling
a joke, coaching a game, or casting a line into the water, he did it with passion and joy. His resilience
inspired many, and his laughter brightened every room.
The celebration of life was at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Bethany Lutheran Church and School,
1000 W. 26th St. S., Wichita. Viewing was 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Wulf-Ast Funeral Home
Chapel, Garden Plain. Burial took place at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery,
35100 W. Harry St., Cheney.
Dean will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Rest easy, Dad. May the fish always bite, and may your Fords run forever and never rust!In loving memory of Norman “Dean” Crossman, March 4, 1940.June 8, 2025.
\Norman Dean Crossman, affectionately known to all simply as “Dean”, passed away peacefully
doing what he loved most…fishing for trout at Roaring River, Mo. Born on March 4, 1940, to Harry
Crossman, Sr., and Viola Mae Downing in Bison, Okla., Dean lived a life marked by resilience,
dedication, humor, and an unwavering lover for his family and community.
As a young boy, Dean survived a severe brain injury that doctors said would leave him unable to
walk. But true to his determined spirit, he defied the odds – not only learning to walk again but going
on to play high school sports. That same grit and strength would define the rest of his life.
Dean married the love of his life, Dianne (Wulf) Richardson, on the most romantic day of the year,
Feb. 14, 1967. In 2025, Dean and Dianne celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
Dean proudly served in the Air Force National Guard, retiring after more than 25 years with the 184th
Jayhawk Air Wing Motor Pool. He also retired after working for 33 years as a meterman for Western
Resources – also known as Kansas Gas & Electric and later Evergy – earning the respect and
friendship of many along the way.
A devoted Ford man, Dean never owned anything but a Ford vehicle. Known for his quick wit, he was
famous for ribbing his Chevy driving friends, often walking them over to their truck with a grin and
asking, “Can you hear it rusting just sitting there?”
Dean also had a passion for coaching and mentoring. He coached his children, Selina, Greg, Roger
and Jason, as well as many young athletes over the years. Former players reached out to tell him
how much he meant to them.
Dean is survived by his loving wife, Dianne, and their children, Selinda Martin and her husband Pat
Martin of Salina, Gregory Richardson (deceased) and his wife Melinda Richardson of Winfield, Roger
Crossman and his wife Michele Crossman of Olathe, and Jason Crossman and his wife Traci
Crossman of Mulvane. He was a proud grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren,
each of whom brought joy to his life and many stories to his legendary fishing trips.
He also is survived by two sisters, Harriet Oliver and Linda Sexton, and five brothers, Darrell
Crossman, James Crossman, Jack Crossman, Dwight Crossman and Larry Crossman; and many,
many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gregory Richardson; his parents, Harry Crossman, Sr., and Viola
Mae (Downing) Crossman; and three brothers, Donald Crossman, Harry “Bud” Crossman, Jr., and
Duane Crossman.
Dean’s life was a testament to perseverance, service and love. Whether he was fixing a truck, telling
a joke, coaching a game, or casting a line into the water, he did it with passion and joy. His resilience
inspired many, and his laughter brightened every room.
The celebration of life was at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Bethany Lutheran Church and School,
1000 W. 26th St. S., Wichita. Viewing was 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Wulf-Ast Funeral Home
Chapel, Garden Plain. Burial took place at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery,
35100 W. Harry St., Cheney.
Dean will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Rest easy, Dad. May the fish always bite, and may your Fords run forever and never rust!