Ralph Finley Vautravers

Ralph F. Vautravers, 95, passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Born in Centralia, Kansas on February 19, 1930 to Vivian and Henryetta Vautravers. Ralph attended Minneapolis High School, graduating in 1947. Prior to graduation he worked as a printer’s devil at the Minneapolis Messenger where he learned enough about the printing business to work his way through college as a pressman. He graduated from University of Wichita in 1952, majoring in Journalism.

Ralph worked for 10 years for Grit Printing before starting to publish Contrails, the newspaper for McConnell Air Force Base. Soon after, Ralph bought printing equipment to print the newspaper and founded Rand Publishing. This was the springboard to begin printing books and flight manuals for the Aircraft industry and Pizza Hut. With the help of his son, Randy, and his grandson, Randall, Rand Publishing became Rand Graphics, which has established itself as a leading printer throughout the Midwest. Ralph remained Chairman of Rand Graphics until his death.

He was active in National Printing Leadership and a member of Wichita State National Advisory Council for over thirty years and served two terms on the Board of Directors. Ralph was recognized as a Lifetime Achievement Member of the Fairmount Society at Wichita State University.

Ralph had a passion for golf and was a supporter of Shocker Athletics who seldom missed a basketball game. Following the demise of the football team at Wichita State, he became a loyal Kansas State Football fan, often traveling to Bowl Games.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Marvin, Paul, Alice, Mabel, and Eldon.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sue; and his children, Deb (Tim) Sanders of Phoenix, AZ, Randy (Cathy) Vautravers of Andover; step-children, Jeffrey (Scott) Caster of Great Bend, Kelli (David) Copeland of Wichita; grandchildren, Randall (Hannah) Vautravers, Faith (Evan) Vautravers, both of Wichita; step-grandchildren, Myles (Abby) Copeland of Overland Park, Mitchell (Halsten) Copeland, Mac Copeland, both of Wichita; great-grandchildren, Grace, Henry, and Marie, all of Wichita; step-great-granddaughter, Lainey of Overland Park.

Viewings will be from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday, October 10, 2025; 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday, October 11, 2025; and 1:00 – 9:00 pm, Sunday, October 12, 2025, all at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am, Monday, October 13, 2025, at Westwood Presbyterian Church. The service will be live streamed through the church’s YouTube page (HERE) as well as their Facebook (HERE).

Memorial contributions in Ralph’s name may be made to First Tee – Greater Wichita, P.O. Box 8313, Wichita, KS 67208; or Ralph Vautravers Memorial c/o Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Campus Box 2, Wichita, KS 67260-0002.