Category: In Memoriam

February 16, 2023 — Dr. Betty Lou Elder, longtime professor in the School of Nursing, passed away Feb. 7. During her time at Wichita State, Betty taught several courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her teaching of pathophysiology helped baccalaureate, master and doctoral students prepare for their degrees and careers as health care practitioners. She was essential to the graduate nursing program and the ultimate success of graduating nurse practitioner students. She retired as an associate professor in 2019.

November 16, 2022 — Ty Ramsey, research technician for the National Institute for Aviation Research, died Saturday, Nov. 12, at his residence in Sedgwick. Ty was a lifelong resident of Sedgwick resident and graduate of Sedgwick High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served two tours in Afghanistan. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Halstead, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

November 15, 2022 — Danette Baker, program director for the Theatre Department in the College of Fine Arts, has died. Services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Holy Savior Catholic Church, 3000 E. 13th Street North in Wichita. A rosary ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., and the funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m. Afterward, there will be a funeral procession to Ascension Cemetary, 7200 E. 45th Street North in Bel Aire.

November 7, 2022 — Brian Brown, NIAR director of Robotics and Automation, passed away Monday, Oct. 31. In his 20 years at Wichita State, Brian left a lasting imprint on multiple facets of Industry and Defense Programs, from network structure, to the success of multiple laboratories, to long-term friendships with countless students, faculty and staff. Among other things, he will be remembered for his charisma, personality, technical expertise and remarkable intellect. A memorial scholarship has been established in Brian’s honor. Donations can be made here or mailed to the Brian Brown Memorial, c/o WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Campus Box 2, Wichita, KS 67260-0002. Funds … Continue reading "University mourns loss of Brian Brown"

October 12, 2022 — Dr. Deemathie De Silva, known to many former students as Dr. D, passed away Sept. 29. A celebration of life is scheduled 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Cozine Life Events Center (11500 E. 21st St. N. Wichita, KS).

August 23, 2022 — Sherry Chapman, retired associate clinical professor, died Aug. 21 after an extended illness. Sherry taught at the Wichita State School of Social Work from 2007 to 2017.

August 22, 2022 — Dorothy K. "Dotty" Billings, Wichita State emerita professor of Anthropology, died Aug. 12, 2022, after a brief illness.

August 16, 2022 — To honor LaWanda Holt-Fields tireless work at Wichita State, a memorial for the McNair Scholars Program has been created in her name. The program provides research training and scholarly experiences to prepare 28 students for graduate studies leading to a Ph.D. As the director of WSU’s McNair Scholars Program, LaWanda touched many lives at Wichita State, and this memorial fund will help continue her legacy.

August 10, 2022 — LaWanda Holt-Fields, director of WSU’s McNair Scholars Program, died Aug. 6, 2022. LaWanda, 54, touched many lives at Wichita State and beyond, including those she served through the McNair program, as well as the many faculty, staff and students she interacted with on a daily basis.

August 4, 2022 — Retired Sergeant Edwin (Ed) Catlin passed away on Aug. 3 after a long battle with lung cancer. Ed retired from WSUPD in January 2016 after 28 years of service. His visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8 at Colonial Heights Church, 5200 S. Broadway. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m., and the burial will be held in Sedgwick, Kansas.