Obituary of Richard "Dick" Hensleigh

Richard "Dick" Hensleigh passed away peacefully in his home on Feb. 26, 2024, with his wife, Suellen, by his side. Dick was born March 9, 1938, in Manhattan, KS, to Paul & Aletha Hensleigh. He grew up on the Hensleigh family farm in Winchester, KS, graduating from Winchester Rural High School and later attending the University of Kansas, majoring in economics.

Horses were trained and used on the Hensleigh farm, and Dick developed a love of horses from a very young age. For most of his teenage years, he worked at Fahey Farm and Stables in Lee's Summit, MO, where he was introduced to training and showing horses competitively. Dick moved to Albuquerque in 1961 to join GAB Business Services, where he enjoyed a successful 36-year career in the insurance business and was especially known by colleagues and clients alike for his honesty, integrity, and expertise in the field. He was branch manager in Roswell, NM, moving back to Albuquerque he was Regional Manager for the State of NM. He also represented NM on several insurance related Boards. During this time, he continued to breed, train, and show horses earning countless awards and accolades along the way. In fact, Dick and Suellen continued breeding, training and showing American Saddlebred horses, while also running an insurance consulting business, until finally retiring in 2019.

In addition to being an accomplished horse trainer, Dick was also highly active in numerous horse organizations. He was president of the American Saddlebred Horse Association of NM, New Mexico Quarter Horse Association, and New Mexico Horse Council, and served on committees for the American Quarter Horse Association. He also served on the national board of the American Mule Association. In 2006, he was recognized by NMQHA with the AQHA Professional Horseman award. In 2010, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Mexico Horse Council. Dick was especially passionate about working with and introducing kids to horses.Dick was also an active member of Presbyterian Church USA, where he served as an elder. He was also a member of The Rotary Club of Albuquerque & Rotary Club of Roswell, beginning in 1966.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Suellen, two daughters, Kathy Padgett (and her husband Jeff) of Bellevue, TX, and Mariam Kohlschmidt of Cedar Creek Lake, TX, and stepson, Mark George, of Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his sons, Richard Hensleigh and John Hensleigh, and stepson, Charles George. He is also survived by three brothers and two sisters. Dick and Suellen had 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He loved watching his grandchildren grow up and was enjoying doing the same with his great grandchildren. Dick took great pleasure in watching granddaughter, Ashley George, campaign Trefethen ("Tre") to 5th place in the world championship Saddlebred horse show while attending William Woods University. Dick dearly loved his family as he was loved by them. He was a kind, caring, and patient man with a big heart. He loved to tell stories and had the most delightful and recognizable laugh.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo Del Norte NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122.