Kenneth Wilton Rix

Rix, Kenneth Wilton, 84, died Sunday, May 17, 2015. He was born June 8, 1930, in Floral Park, New York. His parents, John Wilton and Dorothy Spong Rix, preceded him in death, as did his brother, John Rix, and sister, Pamela Miller. After graduating from East High School in Wichita, he attended Kansas State University for two years before transferring to Purdue University, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He returned to Wichita to work at Beech Aircraft in Preliminary Design Engineering, then at Learjet as head of that department. In 1969, he joined Great Plains Ventures, working as Vice President of the company until his retirement in 2000. He married Mary Ann Dilts in 1954, with whom he shared 60 years of busy life, filled with travel, sailboat racing, ballroom dancing, and duplicate bridge, while raising their three children: Deborah Rix (Doug Oliver), Dwight Rix, and James Rix (Kimberly); and enjoying their three grandchildren: Asher Fusco, Daniel Rix, and Emily Rix. All survive him. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Kens life will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M., at Wichita Marriott, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wichita Symphony, Century II Performing Arts Convention Center, 225 W. Douglas Ave, #227, Wichita, KS 67202; and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.