Category: In Memoriam

Dr. Kandatege Wimalasena, professor of biochemistry, passed away April 30.

Wimalasena served Wichita State for over 35 years where he primarily researched the toxins that can cause Parkinson’s disease. He was recognized as a WSU Bender of Twigs in 2014.

A visitation will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, followed by funeral services from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., at Reflection Pointe Funeral & Cremation Services, 3201 S. Webb Rd.

William Ellwood “Bill” Wynne III, registrar emeritus, passed away April 16.

Wynne served Wichita State for over 35 years before retiring from the Registrar’s Office in 2012, where he was given the registrar emeritus designation. He was also recognized with the President’s Distinguished Service Award in 2007.

Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 21 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas Ave.

Elmer Hoyer, professor emeritus of engineering, passed away March 4.

Hoyer worked for Wichita State for over 30 years before retiring in 2001, starting as an assistant professor of electrical engineering in 1966. He completed his doctoral dissertation in 1967 and was later promoted to associate professor in 1971 and professor in 1980.

Visitation will be at noon Thursday, March 12 at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 E. 21st St. N, followed by services at 1 p.m.

Richard Todd, associate professor emeritus of history, passed away Dec. 8.

Todd worked for Wichita State for over 30 years before retiring in 1996 and was honored as a Bender of Twigs in 1988. He contributed to “Introduction to the History of Christianity” and had sabbaticals in Athens and Jerusalem, where he participated in an archaeological dig.

After his retirement, Todd continued his scholarly work and published “Napoleon’s Medals: Victory to the Arts” in 2009, which shed light on the artwork depicting Napoleon’s various conquests displayed through the medals he commissioned, and later wrote the “Gold of Qumran” novel trilogy.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd.

Dr. Anna Chandler, former chairperson of the ethnic studies department, died Sept. 20. Her teaching extended far beyond the classroom — she was known as a visionary educator, a captivating historian and a mentor who encouraged her students to dream beyond their own imagination.

Connie Morris, retired Elliott School of Communication faculty member, passed away Feb. 4. Morris was with Wichita State for more than 35 years before retiring in 2012, but she continued to teach until 2017.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10 at College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st St. N.

We are deeply heartbroken to share with our community and friends that Kiah Duggins was aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita to Washington, D.C.

Kiah was a proud alumna of the Barton School of Business and Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, graduating in the spring of 2017 with degrees in international business, economics and Spanish. A recipient of the prestigious Clay Barton Scholarship in 2013, she joined a distinguished group of exceptionally talented students. During her time at Wichita State, Kiah cofounded the Shocker Food Locker, an initiative that continues to support students facing food insecurity. Her unwavering commitment to building more equitable communities is a legacy we can all carry forward within Shocker Nation.

Born and raised in Wichita, Kiah was the daughter of Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins, who instilled in her a deep commitment to social justice through their own dedication to serving underserved communities in education and healthcare. After graduating from Wichita State, she went on to earn her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she served as president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. It was no surprise that after law school, Kiah became an attorney with the Civil Rights Corps in Washington, D.C., continuing her family’s legacy of advocacy and service.

During her tenure as an attorney, Kiah litigated on behalf of movements challenging unconstitutional policing and money bail practices. She studied prison industrial complex abolition and movement lawyering as a Law 4 Black Lives Fellow and integrated those concepts into her daily work.

Her family remains active in the Wichita community, and this tragedy has profoundly impacted all who knew her. Today, we mourn the loss of one of our own. To those who had the privilege of knowing Kiah, our hearts are with you during this incredibly difficult time.

Kiah was a beacon of light, a testament to perseverance and an inspiration to all who dream big and work tirelessly to achieve their goals. We hope her legacy continues to inspire our students, serving as a reminder of what is possible through determination, passion and purpose.

Janet Jensen, retired senior academic advisor for the Barton School of Business, passed away on Nov. 7. Janet served as academic advisor in the Barton School for more than 20 years before her retirement in 2022. Janet is remembered warmly by her friends and coworkers, and her impact has been felt by thousands of students who she advised and guided to graduation.

Services will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca.

Dr. James Rhatigan’s, who passed away earlier this week on Oct. 27, memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the University Congregational Church with a reception later that day from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Rhatigan Student Center.

Memorials may be made to University Congregational Church — where Rhatigan and his wife, Beverly, were charter members — and the Rhatigan Emergency Fund at WSU. The Rhatigans established the fund in the 1960s to help students in crisis.

Find the livestream of the memorial services.

Dr. James Rhatigan’s, who passed away earlier this week on Oct. 27, memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the University Congregational Church with a reception later that day from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Rhatigan Student Center.

Memorials may be made to University Congregational Church — where Rhatigan and his wife, Beverly, were charter members — and the Rhatigan Emergency Fund at WSU. The Rhatigans established the fund in the 1960s to help students in crisis.