Richard Eudean Banister, 62, of Fort Collins, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 1994, in Fort Collins. Mr. Banister was born August 17, 1932, in Lyon County, Kan. to Everett Orval and Erma Gertrude Banister. He grew up in Emporia, Kan. and graduated from Emporia High School in 1952, and Emporia State University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp as a drill instructor at San Diego, Calif. He married Jo Ann Jacobs on December 6, 1953 in Emporia, Kan. Mr. Banister spent 15 years as a teacher and athletic coach at several Kansas high schools, the College of Emporia, and Emporia State University. In 1974, he moved to Sterling, to take the position of assistant principal at Sterling High School. He assumed duties as assistant principal at Poudre High School, Fort Collins, in 1980 until his retirement in 1993.

Memorial: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38876773

Banister Named C. of E. Coach (Emporia Gazette, May 9, 1967)

Emporia Native Is Now on Wichita West Staff

Richard E. Banister, who has served as varsity line coach at highly successful Wichita West High School for the past two years, has been named head football coach at the College of Emporia for the 1967-68 academic year. Announcement of his appointment was made today by President Joseph R. Laughlin.

During the two years Banister was at Wichita West the Pioneers went through two undefeated, untied seasons as they pushed their winning streak to 33 games in a row. As varsity line coach Banister was in charge of defense, and during the past season the Pioneers gave up an average of less than 50 yards per game on the ground, and the defense allowed only four touchdowns to be scored on it all year.

Banister, who officially begins his duties at the College of Emporia on Sept. 1st, will hold the rank of instructor of physical education. He also will assist with spring sports in addition to serving as head football coach, President Laughlin said.

Only the fourth head coach C. of E. has had in the past 18 years, Banister went to Wichita West High School from Stafford High School, where he spent four years as head football coach. While at Stafford he took a perennial doormat and made it into a championship contender for three straight years. His teams use a multiple offense, with the basic plays all starting from the T formation.

A native Emporian, Banister was graduated from Emporia High School in 1952. He has his bachelor and master's degrees from Kansas State Teachers College. While in high school he participated in football, basketball and track and at KSTC he played center and linebacker for the Hornets and was a member of the last Central Conference championship team at Emporia State.

"We feel very fortunate to have Dick Banister as a member of our coaching staff," Athletic Director Gene Stauffer said of the appointment. "With his outstanding football background at Wichita West, we feel that he will do a tremendous job with our football program at the College of Emporia."

The new Presby head coach is married to the Former Jo Ann Jacobs, of Emporia, and they have three children, Kathy, 11, Marianne, 7, and Brian, four. He has held memberships in the Kiwanis and Lions service clubs, is a member of the Methodist Church, and of many professional teaching and coaching organizations. His military service was with the U. S. Marine Corps, where he served as a drill instructor.

Banister will replace Tom Stromgren, who resigned earlier this spring, as the head football coach at C. of E. During his two years at the College, Stromgren's teams posted a 13-4-1 record, and were co-champions of the Kansas Conference last season with Ottawa University.