Wilson K. Cadman

Wilson K. Cadman, 89, retired President, CEO and chairman of the board at KG&E, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2016. Memorial Service 10:30 am, Wed., Oct. 12, 2016 at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Wilson enjoyed hunting, fishing & spending time at his second home in Big Sky, MT. Wilson was the first Wichita native and only person who started at KG&E in an entry level job to become its chief executive. He served in that role from 1979 through 1992, one of the most difficult times ever in the energy industry. The OPEC oil embargo had forced KG&E and other companies to invest billions in new power plants. Under Wilsons direction, that was done. He was named Wichitan of the Year in 1985 and described by one local leader as "a superbly competent corporate executive." Wilson also helped engineer the merger with Kansas Power and Light Company that led to creating Westar Energy. After retirement in 1992, he served on the boards of El Paso Electric Company and Columbia Gas. A lifetime member of Plymouth Congregational Church, he was a director of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Francis Hospital, SASO, Music Theater, the United Way and Fourth National Bank. He was honored in Washington by George H. W. Bush for KG&Es partnership with the Red Cross in Project Development which provided millions of dollars to help deserving families with energy costs. His name lives on in the Wilson Cadman Wildlife Education Area around the Coffey County Lake in eastern Kansas and the Wilson Cadman Art Gallery at Wichita State where student artwork is shown. Wilson was born in 1927. While still at East High School he worked at Beech Aircraft during war years. Then in 1945, before his 18th birthday, he entered a Navy pre-flight program. But it was cancelled when the war ended in August. He completed his Navy service aboard a destroyer. After serving, he returned to the University of Wichita where he wed Roslyn Rowley in 1950. Preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Ethel Cadman and sister, Elizabeth Bruce. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Roslyn; children, Robert Cadman, Elizabeth (Jeff) Haywood; grandchildren, Sense Cadman, Natalie (Dennis) Overman, Robert Jarrett; great-grandchild; Olivia Overman; nephews and nieces, George Bruce, William Bruce, Susan Bruce and Carolyn Tschudy. Memorials with Wilson K. Cadman Endowed Fellowship in Business in care of the WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0002; Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219.