In Memoriam
We note with sadness the passing of four A&S faculty or faculty emeriti in recent weeks. Their contributions to the community, the campus and College are worthy of note here as they truly reflect life-time achievements as related by colleagues or found in their published remembrances.
Geraldine Fowle (Art and Art History), who recently retired from UMKC after 44 years of teaching, passed away in October 2011. Her research and teaching focused on the Baroque areas, specifically French 17th-Century painting. Her last research was on the French artist Sebastian Bourdon. She had served as the archivist for the Midwest Art History Society since 1986. Her educational background included a BA in Social Sciences from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; an MA in Economics and an MA and PhD in Art History all from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Gary Holcombe (Theatre) started working for UMKC in 2001 and retired in Sept 2010. He worked with both graduate and undergraduate actors. Gary directed several productions at UMKC including Our Town, All in the Timing, La Bête and Five by Tenn. He was also seen in several productions including A Christmas Carol (KC Rep), The Cripple of Inishmaan (KCAT) and Taking Sides (KCAT) just to name a select few. Gary was a Captain in the U.S. Army and was proud veteran of the Viet Nam War. He was a graduate of Morehead State University with a Masters in Fine Arts from Indiana University and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland. He was a member of Actors Equity Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and Screen Actors Guild. Gary’s acting and musical career began in an outdoor theatre in his hometown and extended to opera companies in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, to Broadway and National Tours, and back to Kansas City. For many years, Gary was a leading actor at Kansas City Repertory Theatre (then Missouri Repertory Theatre), Starlight Theatre, American Heartland Theatre, Waldo Astoria/Tiffany’s Attic/The New Theatre Restaurant and the Unicorn Theatre. He was a founding member of Actors Theatre of Kansas City.
Pat Huyett (English Language and Literature) was one of UMKC’s most esteemed teachers when she passed away on October 9, 2011. After earning her BA from UMKC in Creative Writing and Journalism in 1981, Pat began teaching as a Master’s student in English in 1982. In addition to teaching a range of courses in English literature and composition, Pat coordinated the assessment of writing and served as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Advising in English. Pat published two collections of poetry, El Dorado Rosa: Voices from Midtown and The Dowry of Donna Beach: Song’s for a Woman’s Voice. A pioneer of learner-centered education, she published a series of essays on teaching with portfolios and the workshop method. At her memorial service her friends and students shared stories of her deep love for life, learning, and teaching. Please contact Steve Dilks or Sherry Neuerburg in the English Department to make a donation to the Pat Huyett Scholarship Fund in Writing.
Robin League, (Theatre and Communications Studies) graduated in 1949 from the Goodman Theatre, School of Drama, Art Institute of Chicago with BFA and MFA degrees. During World War II he served as an NCO in the United States Army Air Force. In 1950, he joined the United States Air Force Reserve, and was active in many assignments as public affairs staff officer. Following an aggregate of 35 years of active and reserve service, he retired from the Air Force in 1982 with the rank of Colonel. He worked as a writer, actor, announcer and producer in theatre, radio and television in Chicago and Kansas City; was artistic director of Kansas City’s Resident Theatre in the mid-1950s, returning often as guest director. He was a copy chief and broadcast production director for area advertising agencies. For more than a quarter century he served on the faculty of the University of Kansas City (1950-1952) and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (1967-1992) in the departments of Speech & Theatre, and Communication Studies. In 1955 he began writing stage plays. He served as an officer or on the boards of directors of many non-profit area organizations including the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. He was vice-president of the local chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and was an active member of Actor’s Equity Association for 52 years.
