Paul William Renich

Paul William Renich died on Thursday (Feb. 16, 2012) at Schowalter Villa.

He was born on May 5, 1919, at La Junta, Colo., the son of Edward Alexander Renich and Anna (Andres) Renich. Paul grew up in Newton and worked with his family at the Renich Family Dairy in Newton during the 1920s and 1930s. He graduated from Newton High School in 1935 and Bethel College in 1942. He and Roberta Enns were married on May 15, 1943, in Inman.

Paul served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 on an LST in the Pacific theater. He served as navigator and with great pride noted being able to navigate if he could find “just two stars.” After his service, he returned to the University of Kansas, where he earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1949. Paul and his family moved to Salina in 1948, and he served as professor of chemistry from 1948 to 1973 at Kansas Wesleyan University, academic dean from 1951 to 1969, and president from 1969 to 1973. From 1973 to 1984, Paul taught at Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence. In both academic environments, Paul guided accreditation efforts and during this time served as an evaluator for the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. He continued his interest in education after retirement, volunteering in the Bethel College chemistry lab for 25 years from 1984 to 2009, retiring a second time at age 90. Paul received numerous honors and was recipient of a Ford Foundation Fellowship to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for post-doctoral study in the philosophy of science (1954), the Excellence in Teaching award from Haskell Indian Jr. College (1983), induction into the Kansas Wesleyan Hall of Fame (1986) and the Bethel College Outstanding Alumnus award (2001). He belonged to Sigma Xi (honorary science), Alpha Chi Sigma (chemistry), Phi Lambda Upsilon (honors chemistry) and Sigma Pi Sigma (honors physics). His public service included chairman of the Saline County School Unification board and chair of the Salina Urban Renewal committee, and he was an active volunteer in many positions in the Methodist church, along with his service to Bethel College. In later years, Paul enjoyed gardening (he was known as “Mr. Sweet Potato” at Showalter Villa) and an annual “baking of the peppernuts” with grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his wife of 68 years, Roberta Enns Renich and their children, Rebekah Lynch (Johnstown, Colo.), Stephen Renich and wife, Cheryl (Salina), and Thomas Renich and wife, Janet (Shawnee). Grandchildren include Tamara Lynch Piatt and her husband, David Piatt (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Nicole Lynch (Johnstown, Colo.), Kristel Renich (Olathe), and Sarah Renich Small and husband, Darin (Olathe). Great-grandchildren are Emma Grace and Gavin Piatt and Kamryn Alainah Small. He also is survived by his brother, Waldo of Columbia, Md. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, John, David, Herman, Fred and Ed); and three sisters, Kay, Elisabeth and Margaret).

Friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Schowalter Villa Chapel in Hesston, 200 W. Cedar. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the North Inman Cemetery in Inman. Memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at Hesston United Methodist Church, 600 N. Ridge Road in Hesston. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift to Bethel College or Kansas Wesleyan are suggested. Arrangements have been made with Broadway Colonial Funeral Home of Newton.