Gary T. Westhusin

Gary T. Westhusin passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 80. He was born on June 3, 1935 in Hays, Kansas to the late Thomas J. and Josephine Lucy (Kaba) Westhusin. After graduating from high school, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Kansas University, and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Arkansas University. Gary began teaching school in 1957 and retired in 1994. His teaching assignments literally took him around the world starting with Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas. From there he taught at Kansas State University in Manhattan for two years before embarking on his teaching jobs abroad with the United States Department of Defense Dependents Schools. This journey took him first to Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Japan to Frankfurt American High School in Frankfurt, Germany and finally to Ansbach American High School in Ansbach, Germany. Gary was a life-long learner and educator. As a young man he played the organ and piano, and developed a passion for reading that never ended. He loved to garden, cook, and was famous for his yearly batch of jellies, that he enjoyed making as well as sharing, especially for the annual Sacred Heart School Benefit Auction. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, and attended the Salina Community Theater in Salina, Kansas as often as possible. Gary was a fiercely independent man, perhaps a bit stubborn at times, and always opinionated, who took care of himself and never wanted anyone to worry about him. But he was also a man of great character, strength, dignity, compassion, and grace. His keen dry sense of humor coupled with his mischievous grin never failed to illicit joy and laughter wherever he went. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor. Gary is survived by his sister Dorothy “Dot” Harris and husband Dennis of Minneapolis; brother-in-law Lynn Newton of Texas; sisters-in-law Shirley Westhusin of Bella Vista, AR, and Linda Westhusin of Groton, CT; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Josephine Westhusin, brothers Gregory and Daniel Westhusin, and sisters Mary Goyette, Loretta Mitchell, and Margaret Newton. Great teachers are the reason why ordinary students dream to do extraordinary things. Gary was the embodiment of a great teacher, always willing to take your hand, work to help you open your mind, and committed to encouraging you as you pursued the passions of your heart. His legacy will be known and felt in countless lives for countless generations to come. Reception: Knights of Columbus Hall