Category: In Memoriam

Lucille Portley, a Wichita State staff member of more than 23 years, passed away Aug. 3. She held varying roles within the Office of Admissions over her career and had most recently served as an admissions evaluator, reviewing applications and admitting students to the university.

Lucille’s longevity on the admissions team was a reflection of her loyalty to the university and dedication to student service. She’d annually hold the crown for answering the greatest number of incoming phone calls from students and parents, and would manage the largest volume of tickets from prospective students. Lucille was also the teammate who would be the first to remind the staff to celebrate upcoming ultra-important days like “National Ice Cream Day” or “National Cookie Day.” The staff could always depend on her for a stocked candy and chocolate jar, which made her workstation a popular destination for staff and any of their children visiting the office. Over the years she was a reliable presence in the office, provided a valued historical perspective and would keep service to students and parents paramount to her work every day. From being involved in orientation to supporting admissions representatives with their duties to processing applications, she had an impactful career and the team will greatly miss her as a colleague and friend.

The university community is invited to her homegoing service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at New Life Church, 1156 N. Oliver.

Mary Nelson, research and operations manager for Special Collections at University Libraries, passed away July 17.

Mary joined Wichita State in 1994 as a library assistant and was instrumental in digitizing materials from Special Collections to give broader access to its materials. She also often served as a liaison to researchers looking to use the vast archives of Special Collections in Ablah Library. Mary was inducted as a Bender of Twigs in 2019 after 25 years of service to the university.

Dr. Almer J. “Jay” Mandt III, associate professor emeritus of philosophy and former director of the Emory K. Lindquist honors program, passed away on June 20 in Wichita. Jay Mandt served 14 years as Wichita State’s Honors director and was active in the regional Great Plains Honors Council and National Collegiate Honors Council.

In addition to numerous articles on topics in German philosophy and philosophy of culture, he published on honors education in the Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council. His broad interest in the philosophy of culture and humanities led him to develop honors seminars on science fiction and in military history.

Dr. Mandt is remembered for the steadfast belief in intellectual curiosity that he shared with generations of students. He steered the honors program through uncertainty, ensuring the future of honors education at Wichita State.

Information about services will be published in his digital obituary.

Sonya Cotton, 67, passed away June 16. She worked at WSU for 30 years in the Registrar’s Office before retiring in May 2022.

Sonya always had a smile on her face and a soft-spoken voice as she helped countless students over the years. She was a kind, caring and loving soul that will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Charles “Chuck” Rummery passed away on March 27 at the age of 85. Chuck served in law enforcement for 38 years, retiring as deputy police chief of the Wichita Police Department before becoming chief of police at the WSU Police Department from 1991 to 2003. He also served in the Air Force and Army Reserves. He was born in Wichita on April 23, 1938 to parents Floyd and Eloise.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 62 years, Beverly, son David (Kelly), daughter Cheryl, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A visitation for will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54.

A funeral service will occur at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 at Olivet Baptist Church, 3440 W 13th St N, with a procession leading to a graveside service drom 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 3 at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Kansas Humane Society and Phoenix Hospice.

Dr. Susan Parsons, a former faculty member in the School of Nursing, passed away Dec. 6. She served at Wichita State for 15 years, starting in 2008. Susan contributed significantly during her 15-year tenure, teaching medical-surgical and complex care courses from the inception of the Accelerated BSN program. She also supervised nursing students in practicum settings at Wesley and Ascension Via Christi.   

Susan was also passionate about community service, volunteering her time and expertise at events such as the annual Point-in-Time Homeless event and at La Familia Senior and Community Center. 

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Andover United Methodist Church. A memorial has been established with the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside.

Phyllis Fletcher, a longtime faculty member in the School of Nursing, passed away Nov. 14. Phyllis became a clinical educator at Wichita State in 1987. During her time at WSU, Phyllis taught didactic leadership classes, managed the skills learning lab and was instrumental in starting a critical care didactic course and corresponding clinical practicums. Phyllis had a profound influence on many people in the School of Nursing and is remembered as a wonderful person and mentor. She retired in 2017 and is a member of the Bender of Twigs.

Phyllis graduated from Roosevelt High School in Emporia, Kansas in 1967 and Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in 1971. She married her husband, Lee, in 1973 and they had two children, Rachel and Jim. She graduated from WSU with her BS in Nursing in 1976 and earned her master’s degree in 1980. Phyllis worked as a nursing instructor at the Wesley School of Nursing and later as a staff nurse in the Coronary Care Unit. Her areas of clinical practice were medical surgical nursing, with the specialty area of critical care nursing.

After retirement Phyllis stayed active through volunteering at Guadalupe Clinic, Senior Services (Meals on Wheels), United Methodist Open Door (Klothes Kloset), and Wesley Hospital. She was also a member of the Nurses Honor Guard, a group of volunteer nurses who pay tribute to nurses at the time of their death by performing the Nightingale Tribute at the funeral or memorial service. She enjoyed playing pickleball, shopping, baking, gardening and traveling. Phyllis and her husband, Lee, took great pride in growing and maintaining Rachel’s Garden, in memory of their daughter who passed away in 2006. The garden was featured in the 2022 Wichita Garden Tour.

A celebration of life will be held in spring 2024. Donations can be made to the following memorials: Open Door for Klothes Kloset (P.O. box 2756, Wichita, KS 67201-2756) and the Rachel Fletcher Memorial Scholarship through WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement (donations can be made online or donors can mail a check to 1845 Fairmount, box 2 Wichita, KS 67260 and reference Rachel Fletcher in the memo).

Wayne Woolsey may not have graduated from Wichita State, but he left a lasting legacy at the university and for the thousands of students who will walk its campus. In his lifetime, he and his wife, Kay, gave more than $13 million to support the university, and his generosity has laid a foundation for countless dreams to flourish here at WSU.

Associate Professor Emeritus Bill Richardson, passed away Sept. 6 at the age of 86.

Richardson joined the Department of Mathematics in 1962 and retired from the role in 2013. He continued to teach for the department as associate professor emeritus through spring 2017.

During his 55 years of service at Wichita State, he has made significant contributions to the development of the math department and provided high-quality administrative services, including serving as assistant chair and then associate chair, from 1964 to 2004. Richardson is greatly respected by students and faculty and will be missed.

A time of remembrance for Richardson will be held by the department at a later date to be announced.

A memorial fund is open to donations from the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement.

Associate Professor Emeritus Bill Richardson, passed away Sept. 6 at the age of 86.

Richardson joined the Department of Mathematics in 1962 and retired from the role in 2013. He continued to teach for the department as associate professor emeritus through spring 2017.

During his 55 years of service at Wichita State, he has made significant contributions to the development of the math department and provided high-quality administrative services, including serving as assistant chair and then associate chair, from 1964 to 2004. Richardson is greatly respected by students and faculty and will be missed.

A time of remembrance for Richardson will be held by the department at a later date to be announced.

A memorial fund is open to donations from the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement.