Edward Harvey Dissinger
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Edward Harvey Dissinger, a longtime Kansas resident, passed away Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, at the age of 78 after a long, difficult battle with Alzheimer’s.
Eddie was born in Chanute, Kansas, on June 28th, 1944, to Hazel and Ed Dissinger. With his parents and younger sister, they settled in Manhattan, Kansas, where his dad was very involved with high school athletics. Eddie went on to have a very successful high school athletic career. He lettered in basketball, track, and football each year. As the shortest member on his high school basketball team, ‘Stub’ still managed to be the only three-point shooter. Eddie was the star quarterback of the 1961 Manhattan high football team, who went on to win the state football championship his senior year. His team finished the season with a 9-0 record!
In 1962, Eddie headed to Kansas State University to pursue a degree and play football. K-State became one of his lifelong passions and joys, which he eventually shared with his son, Grant. Unfortunately, his long football career eventually led to his Alzheimer’s diagnosis at a young age.
Immediately following college, Eddie enrolled in the Army. After he completed training, his commanding officer made the decision to keep him home from Vietnam to train troops because of his strong leadership skills. In 1969, he began his career in insurance sales working with Aetna Inc. From there, he joined Lockton as one of their earliest employees and worked in insurance sales. In 2001, Eddie started his own company, Dissinger Insurance Services, to provide for the high school and college athletic insurance market. His company, now called Dissinger Reed and run by his son-in-law Christian, is still a success today.
In 1970, Eddie married Jane McGee, the mother of his four children. While living in Kansas City, San Antonio, Germany and England, Eddie and Jane grew their family.
In the late 1980s, Eddie and Suzy Beck reconnected at a high school reunion. They had been high school sweethearts and had grown up in Manhattan together. In 1990, Eddie and Suzy married, combining Eddie’s four children, Megan, Grant, Brooke, and Emma, with Suzy’s four children, Michele, Chrissy, Scott and Courtney. Eddie and Suzy built a wonderful life with their children, having their first house together in Prairie Village, that became a loving home for them all. The love, support, and commitment to one another and all their children was a true example of the great man he was.
Eddie was a devoted father and a true leader in so many ways. He was the most fun-loving, non-judgmental, and loyal man. His success was not only apparent in his career but also in the way he led and guided his children. His kids and their activities kept him busy, but he always had time for a game of golf. This eventually led to their purchase of a home in Florida on a golf course. This became Eddie and Suzy’s happy place, with many memories shared with their children and grandchildren.
While we desperately wish we had more time with him, we are so thankful for the time we did get and the wonderful memories we made. Even up to his final days, he was still full of grace and his caring, thoughtful ways. We will never stop missing you, Dad.
Eddie is preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Dissinger, whom he loved dearly, and his father, Ed Dissinger Sr. He is also proceeded in death by his loving and loyal canine companion, Max.
Eddie is survived by his wife Suzy Dissinger; daughter Megan Biggerstaff and husband Max (Kyle, Aaron and Hannah); son Grant Dissinger; daughter Brooke Rogers and husband Kevin (Ella and Will); Emma Benezette and husband Jake (Payton and Parker); daughter Michele Kavanaugh and husband John (Caitlyn, Patrick and Caroline); daughter Chrissy Reed and husband Christian (Skylar, Sydney, Maya and Brody); son Scott Potter and wife Alicia (Blake and Beck); daughter Courtney Maxwell and husband Jimmy (Molly, Beau and Elizabeth); sister Frankie Dissinger and nephews (Bryan and Darren)
A celebration of Eddie’s life is planned for October 4th from 4-6pm at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas.
Donations may be offered to:
Alzheimer’s Association in Eddie’s name www.alz.org
A memorial for Eddie Dissinger has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation with contributions being donated to the K-State Football – Golden Cats. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, please indicate fund M47419.
To make a gift online, go to https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/30806/donations/new.
Suzy & family,
Don & I are so heartbroken to hear of Ed’s passing. What a wonderful, fun loving man he was. We have fond memories of all the family gatherings with our combined families. We will see you on October 4.
Love,
Glenda & Don
Dear Suzy, what a beautiful tribute to such a special man. He was so fun loving, generous and kind. My prayers are with you and your families my dear friend, he will be missed by so many.
Eddie was a very special man. He lived a very full life. From the first time I met him, he made me feel like part of the family. The memories of the visit to Florida will always hold a special place in my heart ?? Dan will cherish those memories too. Love and hu
gs to all the family. I love you so much! ?
Eddie was a true gentleman! I will always value his friendship.The entire family are in my thoughts and prayers God Bless!
I had the privilege of knowing both Eddie and his father. They both were classy gentlemen. Blessings to all the family !
Brooke – I remember only once meeting your Dad and one can never forget his smile! May God be with you and all your family throughout this rough time.
Our sincere sympathy and prayers are with you!
Bob and Liz Johanns, and family
Eddie was our neighbour in St Moritz, Miromar Lakes, When first meeting Eddie we developed a common bond in Golf and played many rounds with Bob Boren we became the 3 kings of St.Moritz.
This was a friendship
that will never be forgotten
Eddie was True Gentleman and a Great Husband & Father to Grant. and all his other Family.
He will be Truly Missed as he is carried on the Wings of Angels to his Final home.
“Little Big Man”, thank you for all the rounds of golf, evenings of libation together, but most of all your FRIENDSHIP. Blessing to THE DISSINGER clan. May Eddie always have a special place in our hearts. Steve Weld
Suzy,
My prayers and thoughts are with you and all your family in the loss of Eddie. His obituary was beautiful and made you know you were a privileged person if you had know Eddy. May God be with you and your family as you work your way through these days of sorrow.
So sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure to get know Eddie the last 10 years or so, and he was such a fun person to be around. Prayers to your family!
Dissinger Family, I met Ed in the early days when he was at Lockton. I was also in the insurance business but on the Property side. Needless to say, we had customers in common, Ed on the benefits and me on the property. A true gentleman and professional. My deepest condolences to a terrific guy.
Frankie, Eddie was always my idol growing up in Manhattan and an inspiration as a man and an athlete. A wonderful friend with many discussions on his beloved Wildcats over the years.
He will be missed.
RIP my fellow MHS QB
All the best to the family.
We were so sorry to hear about Eddie! He was quite a legend in Manhattan and at our alma mater, KSU. Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Penny and Max Moss
Suzy, what a moving and graceful tribute to Eddy. For all of us who knew him, he was and will always be our captain and dearest friend. We stand in mourning and stunned silence at his passing; deepest condolences to you and all of your loved ones.
Suzy, it’s with mixed feelings that I read that Eddy has passed. I will miss him and am sorry I didn’t make it to see him. Best man in my wedding, quarterback of our state champion football team and most of all my friend. My heart goes out to you and the kids. Eddy was truly one of a kind! My prayers are with you Suzy! Love Stan Pine
My prayers are with you all. I was very fortunate to meet Ed and Grant through the Croofoot Cup. We had some great times together golfing and cheering on the Wildcats. I occasionally would meet him out for a pint or two. I will miss him but know he is with God following our Cats. God Bless
Dan Schierling
It was with sadness that I read of Eddie Dissinger’s death. I was three years younger than Eddie, but when we played pick-up basketball on the street court by his childhood home, he always treated me fairly, even though I was not in his age group. I do recall the 1961 football season at MHS. As a lowly sophomore, I did not play much at all on that star-studded state championship team, but it was still a special season. It’s not every year you are a part (even a small part) of a state championship football team.
After returning from the service and a tour in Southeast Asia, I ran into Eddie again at an Aggieville sports bar. It had been probably a dozen years since we had last seen each other, but we were both at Kite’s in Manhattan watching a K-State basketball game on TV. It was a crowded bar as KSU basketball was big in the early 70s, but Eddie and I made eye-contact and he came over and shook my hand and graciously said “Long time, no see,” and we renewed acquaintances. It was typically Eddie, as I had come to know him from that street basketball court back in Manhattan. He always treated me well, and I wish the very best for his family as I know they will miss him terribly. You just couldn’t help but like Eddie.
Dearest Dissinger extended family,
Frank and I send our love and sympathy as you mourn the loss of Eddie! We are grateful to have shared our early life in Manhattan with Ed although we were at Luckey High!! Frank and Ed headed off to Ft. Hays for college and football for Eddie! When Frank and I married in ‘73, Frank needed his best friend, Eddie as his best man!! Although with busy lives, years went by until we reconnected with Suzy and Eddie a few years ago at Red Door Grill! Many memories of good times shared with many of the Dissinger family will remain with us forever!?
Dissinger Family,
I was very sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. Such a nice man. Although I didn’t see him often, when he did come into my office he was a joy to visit with. My condolences to your family.
Linda Grubbs
Former K-State Athletic Dept. Receptionist
Dear Suzy and Frankie,
As you are the only two persons in Eddie’s family that I knew, I want to send you both condolences for the passing of Ed. I have such respect for him for his many talents. I have warm memories from Manhattan High where I knew him (and you both). May you be surrounded by love and support as you face this loss. Take care, Joyce Burris
Dear Suzy,
We love you and we loved Eddy, and we are so glad that our paths crossed when they did. We shared some wonderful times on this journey with you and Eddy, and we will be here for you whenever you need us. Eddy was a very remarkable man and Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease, but we always admired the way that you and Eddy handled the disease and made the changes necessary for him to have the best possible life. You will always have our admiration and support.
Judy and Rich