Sergeant Richard James Asten

Rick was known as Rich or Rick in college. I was drafted and afterwards was working in Catskill New York and we talked on the phone he invited me to Westerly Rhode Island. It took forever to get there but he was very welcoming and we talked about sailing and growing up there. I came back to Emporia Kansas to finish college and Rick and I hung around the same group of friends again. He was friendly sincere and liked to laugh. His probably closest friend I believe saved my life one time when Rich and I were going to get into a fight. I had no idea how dangerous a situation I was in. I went to his wedding and saw him infrequently over the ensuing years. When he was going through his divorce and when he had traumatic experiences on the job, he would come to Emporia and we would drink and listen to music and talk. I gave him a Van Morrison CD that he liked. One time we went target shooting and he gave me a pistol to shoot that had a weird trigger set up on it. An accident was barely avoided. He came with his daughters to see me a time or two when they were passing through Emporia, they were very nice and you could tell they all loved each other. I remember when he made sergeant he was very happy about it. I met his second wife briefly and you could tell they made each other happy. I was always struck by how strong Astin was emotionally. He was a good influence on me and I was proud to introduce him to my children. He was very strong physically too. We used to kid around physically and he would pull some police moves and they really worked...the next day I would have many bruises. He wasn't malicious just very strong. He had a literary sense about him and I think he may have enjoyed the dramatic part of being a policeman. I always trusted him and was proud to know him and will never forget him. One of his old friends and I went to his funeral and we were happy to see so many people thought so much of him too. I pray for him and all those who are diminished by his passing especially his daughters and family.

Tim Crosby
Friend

March 16, 2019