Patric Rowley

Rowley, Patric, 92, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Sept. 19, 2016. Patric was a man who clearly represented the very best of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ He was an inspiring artist, writer, entrepreneur, Rotarian, civic volunteer, dog lover and a friend to nearly every person he ever met during his 92 years. Pat was born in Fairland, Okla., and grew up in the heart of the dust bowl and Great Depression. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific as an aircrew member of a Patrol Bomber. He returned home to Wichita, where he earned a degree in English from the University of Wichita. He married Betty Lou Calkins, with whom he celebrated their 65th anniversary in July. He raised a family of successful children and built his own businesses out of the creativity that flowed through him like a river. Pat began his advertising and public relations career at Kansas Gas & Electric Co. and later worked in New York City at Electric Bond & Share. He returned to Wichita to work at McCormick Armstrong printing company and later launched his own firm, Communication Arts Associates. Throughout his life he maintained a passion for art and was a skilled and recognized painter and writer. He shared that passion as an instructor at Kansas State University, Wichita State University and The Wichita Art Association. In August 1955, Life magazine featured his work with the Attica Artists' Guild. His paintings have been displayed at the Wichita Art Museum, Wichita Center for the Arts and are found in numerous private collections. As a writer, he contributed many columns to The Wichita Eagle as a member of its Writers Guild and authored the book Artists: A Kansas Collection. He also was a passionate contributor to the quality of life in Wichita, having given of his time and talents to numerous organizations including the Kansas Foodbank Warehouse, Orpheum Theatre, East YMCA, Cowtown Museum, Wichita City Cultural Arts Commission and WSU Alumni Association. He was stubbornly independent and vibrantly creative to the end, which came at home while talking with the love of his life. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, Sept. 23, at First Presbyterian Church in Wichita, where he had served as Sunday school teacher and elder. In addition to Betty, Patric is survived by their children, Steve and wife, Carla, Huntsville, Ala.; Roz and husband Tom Hutchinson, Wichita; Barbara and husband Taylor Middleton, Big Sky, Mont.; Elizabeth, Lawrence; and Bruce and wife Caroline, Wichita; grandchildren Shannon (Juan) Rebolledo and Amy (Sean) Miller, Wichita; William and Madeline Rowley, Wichita; Anna and Kate Middleton, Big Sky; Scott (Bruce Pottash) Ferguson, Los Angeles; Brian (Selina) Ferguson, Huntsville; Taylor Rowley, Los Angeles; and Wyatt Rowley, Huntsville; great-grandchildren Raef, Julia, Max and Ruby Rebolledo, Peyton and Caroline Miller, Ethan, Amelia and Jonah Ferguson and Melissa and Rebecca Pottash; dog and faithful companion Adam; and a large cadre of extended family, friends, fellow artists and professional colleagues and clients. Memorials have been established with Kansas Food Bank's Food for Kids Program, Friends of the Orpheum Theatre and the Kansas Humane Society. Share condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.

Funeral Service

Time: 10:30am, Friday, September 23, 2016 Place: First Presbyterian Church
525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214

Burial

Place: Wichita Park Cemetery
2500 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67208

Memorials

Kansas Food Bank
(Food for Kids Program)
1919 E. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67211

Friends of the Orpheum Theatre
200 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67202

Kansas Humane Society
3313 N. Hillside
Wichita, KS 67219

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