Theodore Carl Finkemeier

Some of the Life and Times of Theodore Carl Finkemeier : 9/21/1926 – 1/2/2017 Theodore (Ted) was born in the Kansas City area on September 21, 1926. He was the second of the three children born to Henry and Augusta Finkemeier. He had an older brother – Walter, and a younger sister – Helen. He attended school in Turner, graduating with 42 other seniors – in 1944. Ted learned the brick and stone mason trade from his dad, and had played a part in building two houses from the ground up – before he was even out of high school; then planning and building 4 additional homes between 1955 and 1994. He chose to attend Finley Engineering College in the Fall of 1944. He was due to be drafted in November of that year, so he enlisted in the United States Army, both so he could choose the branch of service, and because he had heard of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers – an organization that he wanted to possibly work for. He served as the personal assistant to a colonel while serving in Europe. It was during his service days that he picked up the name “Whitey” – because of his blonde hair! Ted’s return from active duty to civilian life saw him pursuing his Architectural Engineering degree - beginning at KCKCC, and ending at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!). Dad was able to use the G I bill, for part of his educational expenses, but had to work and save money as a brick and stone mason for the majority of his educational expenses. He actually built a portion of the present-day Lawrence High School! During his higher educational and professional years dad stayed enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves – finally retiring as a Captain! The 1950’s saw Ted graduating from K.U. with a degree in Architectural Engineering, starting a job with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, meeting and marrying Marilyn Denean Griffin, and being blessed with 2 of their 3 children, Dore Lyn, and Roger Henry, with Susan Carol arriving in the early 1960’s. Ted was the kind of husband and father that provided for his family financially, but was always there for them emotionally and spiritually – as well! Dad and his family worshipped at Immanuel Lutheran Church most of his adult life, but for the past several years – Dad asked to worship at Cedar Ridge Christian Church – where he professed the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. Ted almost always imparted hope and love to his wife, children and extended family – as well as a hard work ethic to all those that he came in contact with. He was promoted to chief of the architectural section for the Kansas City District of the Corps of Engineers in the mid 1970’s, and worked in that capacity until his retirement in 1994. Ted was recognized as a Fellow in the Society of American Military Engineers – in 1992. Dad would have worked longer, but he chose to care for his wife Marilyn – who was bed-ridden with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that took her life in 2005. Dad kept his engineering license current until 2011 (85 yrs. old), because he always loved a challenge. Dad received excellent care from the medical staff at the K.U. Medical Center Trauma and surgical intensive care unit – with several nurses adding love and compassion to his care! Linda – my wife – served Dad generously with home-cooked meals (for the last 12 years); and was at his bedside daily – Dad’s last two weeks! Dad leaves his son Roger Henry and his daughter-in-law Linda; grand children: Heath, Hans, Michelle, Stephanie, and Kevin, also: distant grandchildren: Hollyn, Olivia, and Natalie, and 5 great grandchildren. I (Roger) believe that Dad’s faith –shown to be genuine by his actions – spoke well of his true character! My last words to him were: “Dad - I love you, I will miss you… but I’ll see you later!”

Tributes

Theodore Carl Finkemeier

September 21, 1926 - January 2, 2017