Burton M. Pell

Pell, Burton M., 82, well known interior designer and advocate for the arts in Wichita passed away December 1, 2005. Burt was born in Brooklyn New York on March 13, 1923. In his early years he had a long and creative career in retail, working for well known stores including Neiman Marcus and Macys. After leaving New York he lived in Memphis, Houston, Chicago and Kansas City. He moved to Wichita in 1965 to be a partner in the interior design firm of Gene Morse and Associates. In 1971, on the death of his partner, he purchased the business from the family of Mr. Morse. His son, Jonathan came to work with him and they changed the firms name to Pell Pell, Inc. Burt was very active in supporting and promoting the arts in Wichita. He was a Past President of the Wichita Sedgwick County Arts and Humanities Council, on the Acquisitions Committee of the Wichita Art Museum, initiated the Holiday Tables event at the Wichita Center for the Arts and worked with the Aids Fund Organization. He was a founder and former president of Opera Kansas. In 1996 the Governor appointed him to the Kansas Arts Commission and he was reappointed for a second term in the year 2000. Burt was a long time and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wichita. He is survived by his brother, Arthur Pell of New York, his son Jeffrey and his wife Cristie of Sacramento, his son Jonathan and his partner Cleve Schneider of Dallas, two granddaughters, Robyn Allen and her husband Ed, and Kimberly Piper-Pell and her husband Chris, and a great granddaughter, Naomi Mae all living in California. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 on Wednesday, December 7th at the First Presbyterian Church, 525 N Broadway. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been set up for either the First Presbyterian Church or Opera Kansas, P.O. Box 8811, Wichita, KS 67208. Downing Lahey East.