Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Kenneth Ferguson, noted ceramist, dies
Kenneth Richard Ferguson believed in the pureness of pottery, the ability to take a lump of clay and, using only your hands, turn it into something beautiful.
Ferguson's ability to do so earned him national and international recognition, both as an artist and as a teacher of other artists. His life's passion was summed up by his son, Charles Ferguson: "Wreathed in smoke and fire, he pulled clay from the earth and made works of art to challenge the terrifying abyss of time."
Ferguson, Professor Emeritus of ceramics at Kansas City Art Institute, died Dec. 30, 2004, at his home in western Shawnee.
Mr. Ferguson loved nature, jazz music and going to the movies, but his greatest love was his pottery. Russell Ferguson, his eldest son, described his father at an incredibly hard worker who created at least 10,000 pieces of pottery in his lifetime.
"He said that clay is one of the only things that you can look at an object that someone has made and know directly that their hand was on that material," Russell Ferguson said. "Everything else is created with a tool, a chisel or a brush, but clay is formed directly from the human hand."
Mr. Ferguson's work was recognized internationally, and he and nine of his students over the years have had pots placed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
"There were probably 12 famous potters, and he was one of them," Russell Ferguson said.
His son said he was originally a functional potter, in an early American and Finnish design. In 1980, he moved into gallery pottery, drawing inspiration from nature. Russell Ferguson said his father traveled the world to see beautiful works of art, making three trips to Japan, once at the rarely offered invitation of the Japanese potter's town of Shigaraki.
Mr. Ferguson also loved to pass on his knowledge of ceramics. For 32 years, he served as the chairman of the ceramics department at the Kansas City Art Institute, building up the department from nothing.
Milton Katz, humanities professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, worked with Ferguson for many years and knew his abilities in the classroom.
"He was a consummate teacher," Katz said. "He really, really loved his students; he loved mentoring them and seeing them grow and develop."
Katz said his colleague may have had a tough exterior, but on the inside, Ferguson was a very sensitive and generous man.
"We called him a Promethean figure, because he was truly larger than life, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually," Katz said.
Ferguson was born March 6, 1928, in Elwood, Ind., to Cecil Ferguson and Edith Izora Cockerham Ferguson. He studied art at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pa., earning a BFA in 1952.
He served his country in the army with the First Calvary at Camp Sendai, Japan. He then studied under the GI Bill at New York State School of Ceramics in Alfred, N.Y., earning an MFA in 1958.
Mr. Ferguson managed the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramics Arts in Helena, Mont., from 1958 to 1964. He then taught and served as chairman of the Ceramics Department at the Kansas City Art Institute for 32 years. In 1970, he built his home by himself in Shawnee.
He married Gertrude Elsie Houston March 1, 1952. She survives, along with their three children, Russell Ferguson, 49; Charles Ferguson, 45; and Emily Regis, 42. Also surviving are a brother Wallace Furguson, and his wife, Mona; a niece, Lisa Ferguson; and a son-in-law, Linas Regis. Private family services were held, and a memorial service will be held in March, with details announced at a later date.
The family suggests contributions to the Kenneth Richard Ferguson Foundation Fund, care of Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Arrangements: Newcomer's Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, Kansas City MO 64109, (816) 931-7777.
Fred W. Rosenau
1922-2004
Kansas City, Kan.
Fred W. Rosenau, 82, Kansas City, Kan., a former longtime state legislator, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004, at his home. He was born May 7, 1922, in Shawnee. He owned a dairy farm until he sold it to join the armed services for World War II. He started his construction business when he returned home. Mr. Rosenau was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives and served 1966 to 1988. He was a member of the Turner School Board from 1964 to 1982.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Hines Rosenau, and their three children, Mark Rosenau and wife Ginny, Lenexa; Ken Rosenau, Kansas City, Kan.; and Rita Sanders and husband Mike, Chillicothe, Mo.
Visitation was Monday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee with a funeral Mass on Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church and burial at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to Kansas City Hospice, 10100 W. 87th St., Suite 100, Overland Park KS 66212. Arrangements: Amos Family Chapel, (913) 631-5566.
Cecil F. Riggs
1915-2005
Edwardsville
Cecil F. Riggs, 89, Edwardsville, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, at the Presbyterian Manor in Kansas City, Kan. Services were Monday at the Alden- Harrington Funeral Home with visitation before the service.
Mr. Riggs was born Aug. 15, 1915, in Carter, Mo. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II. He and his wife owned and operated the Highland Park Market in Kansas City, Kan. Following his retirement he enjoyed golfing at Sunflower Hills Golf Course. His wife, Elma, died in 1997.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Frost, and her husband, Wayne, of Bradenton, Fla.; a grandson, Jeff Frost, and wife, Amanda, Tallahassee, Fla.; and two great-grandchildren, Avery and Carson Frost.
Arrangements: Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, (913) 422-4074
Audrey Louise Frerichs
1930-2004
lenexa
Audrey Louise Frerichs, 74, Lenexa, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa.
Mrs. Frerichs was born Jan. 28, 1930 in West Point, Neb., to Harry O. and Myrtle Carlson Henry.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Frerichs, and sisters, Minerva Erickson and Vernelle Miller. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Curtis Cooper of Shawnee, and a son, Michael Frerichs, of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; two grandchildren, Brett and Brooke Cooper of Shawnee; and her sisters, Hazel Thompson of Moline, Ill.; Junavae Feyerherm of Lenexa; Darlene Strehle and Maxine Engelhardt of West Point, Neb.
A memorial service will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, 10901 Johnson Drive.
The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society.
