Dr. Rosemary A. Kirby

Dr. Rosemary A. Kirby, 90, left this earth to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Saturday, August 28, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sonny G. and Jeannette Cobble; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Sonny P. and Joan Cobble, and husband, S. Keith Kirby. Survivors: sons, Rex A. Coad (Jill), Dr. Russell L. Coad (Julie); daughters, Elizabeth Doxon (Greg), Becky Rogers (Jim); brother, Dr. Jan L. Cobble (Susie); very special friends, Cindy and Stan Smith; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family. Rosemary’s professional passion was facilitating educational opportunities for others. Her journey as an educator with USD 259 began as a classroom teacher. She moved forward to positions in middle and high school administration where she served as Vice-Principal at Truesdell Junior High; Associate Principal at both East and Northwest High Schools; Principal at Mead and Jardine Junior High Schools, and Principal at West High School. She advanced further to become Director of the Division of Vocational & Continuing Education; served as the Interim Superintendent for USD 259, and ultimately completed her extraordinary career as the President of the Wichita Area Technical College. Many have, and many shall continue to benefit from her efforts, vision, and commitment to making vocational education accessible, of the highest quality, respected, and integrated with the needs of local business. Following her retirement, one of her greatest joys was providing tutorial assistance in her home to young students. “Once an Educator - Always an Educator!” Rosemary and her husband, Keith, shared a love of horses and it was their dream together to breed, raise, and show American Saddlebreds. Rosemary was well known in local, regional, and national equestrian circles. Above all else, Rosemary loved and was very proud of her family and their respective personal and professional accomplishments. Celebration of Life Services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday September 18, 2021, at Andover United Methodist Church, 1429 N. Andover Road, Andover, KS 67002. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to her memorial established with the WSU Tech Foundation, Attn: Dr. Rosemary A. Kirby Legacy Scholarship Fund, 4004 N. Webb Rd., Wichita, KS 67226 (wsutech.edu/Rosemary). Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.