Paul R. Attwater II

Paul R. Attwater II, 91, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on October 2, 2026.

Paul attended Wichita East High School and graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1954, where he was an accomplished equestrian and lettered in horse jumping. He went on to Kansas State University, earning a degree in Economics and becoming a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was also a founding member of the Kansas State Rodeo Club. Following graduation, Paul returned to Culver as an equestrian instructor.

Paul served his country in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960, serving in the Armor branch at Fort Knox and Fort Leonard Wood. He left active duty in 1960 to pursue his master’s degree in Industrial Management at Purdue University. He continued his military service in the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain.

Following graduate school, Paul began his business career with Wilson & Company. He later returned to Wichita and entered the brokerage industry with Walston & Company, a member of the New York Stock Exchange, and continued his career through the firm’s later transitions to E.F. Hutton and Smith Barney. Paul retired after a 40-year career in the brokerage industry. He enjoyed the investment business, but what mattered most to him were the people he served and the relationships he developed with his clients over many years. He also treasured the close relationships he built with his colleagues and enjoyed mentoring future generations of financial advisers, including his son, Paul III.

Paul married the love of his life, Sally DeForest, on September 13, 1958. Together they built a life centered around family, faith, friends and fellowship. They were married for more than 60 years before Sally’s death in 2020. Paul and Sally raised three children, Sarah, Paul and Susan. Their oldest daughter, Sarah, was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1976. Paul and Sally treasured having their son Paul and daughter Susan raise their families in Wichita and took particular joy in watching their six grandsons grow up and, in later years, welcoming four great-grandchildren.

Paul loved the outdoors. He was an accomplished horseman, and horseback riding remained a lifelong love, including many years with Sugar, the family horse. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with family and friends. Paul was rarely far from a Stihl chainsaw—and an opportunity to clear timber and build a good bonfire. Paul and Sally made many wonderful memories at their fishing pond near Peabody and their cabin at Marion County Lake.

Paul’s devotion to family extended well beyond his immediate family. Nieces, nephews and generations of extended family were an important part of his life. Family gatherings were frequent and often included a trip to Manhattan to cheer on the Kansas State Wildcats. Paul genuinely enjoyed people. He treasured old friendships, welcomed new ones, and found great joy in the fellowship of family, friends, clients and his church community.

Faith was a constant throughout Paul’s life and part of a deep Episcopal heritage in the Attwater family. His great-grandfather, Henry Russell Attwater, was the founder of the Episcopal mission in Cedar Vale, Kansas. His grandfather, the Rev. Henry Clarkson Attwater, followed his father into a life of service to the Church and later became rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wichita. Paul carried that family tradition of faith forward as a devoted member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for nearly 60 years. His faith was reflected in the way he lived, in his devotion to his family, and in the importance he placed on caring for and helping others.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sally DeForest Attwater; daughter, Sarah Ann Attwater; parents, Paul and Anna Attwater; and sisters, Anna Jones and Mary Elizabeth McNerney.

He is survived by his son, Paul (Kim) Attwater III; daughter, Susan (Dan) Taylor; six grandsons, Patrick (Zoe) Attwater, Nicholas (Nick) Attwater, Tom (Molly) Attwater, Joey Attwater, Sam Taylor and Ryan Taylor; four great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E. Central, Wichita.

The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2026, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 7404 E. Killarney Place, Wichita.

The funeral service will also be livestreamed. A link to the service will be available through the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church website.

www.YouTube.com/StStephensEpiscopalChurchWichita

A family graveside service, including military honors, will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to a reception following the graveside service; reception details will be announced separately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Permanent Endowment Fund, 7404 E. Killarney Place, Wichita, KS 67206, or

“A memorial for Paul R. Attwater II has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation to support the Department of Economics. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, please indicate fund M47541. To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials.”

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.