Gary G. Karst

Gary G. Karst, 70, of Topeka, lost his battle to Leukemia and joined his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center.

Gary was born September 2, 1936 on a small farm located near Galatia in Barton County, Kansas and was the youngest child of Emil & Clara (Nuss) Karst. He was baptized September 27, 1936 and was confirmed April 10, 1949 in Russell County.

He attended elementary school in a one room school house and graduated from Great Bend High School. After attending Ft. Hays College for two years, he transferred to Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree.

Gary was married to Loretta Marie Staub on November 30, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. They moved to Topeka in November of 1960 where he joined the architectural firm of Horst & Terrill as an employee and later as a partner.

He was a principal and Director of Design for 41 years with Horst, Terrill & Karst Architects, P.A. The firm has offices located in Topeka and Overland Park, Kansas. Gary was responsible for the design and construction of several hundred projects throughout Kansas and Missouri consisting of educational facilities from Pre-Kindergarten through Post Graduate University Research facilities, Correctional facilities along with Municipal facilities. Many of these projects received design recognitions from both piers and user groups.

Some of the local buildings for which his firm was responsible include the Forbes Field Air Terminal, the Kansas Expo Center, the Bennett Computer Center at WSU, the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, the new Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex, Landon Jr. H.S., French Jr. H.S. and Seaman H.S.

Gary was an active member of the American Institute of Architects and served on multiple committees from the local, state as well as national level. He was elected President of Kansas AlA and was also awarded the Henry W. Schirmer Distinguished Service Award by his piers. Mayor Charles Wright appointed him to serve on the Capitol City Redevelopment Agency and was a member of that agency throughout its existence. He was also a member of Optimist International and served in many capacities including President of Breakfast Club and Lt. Gov. of Zone 6.

Gary was active in his church through the years and served on many boards, including President of the Congregation. He enjoyed designing and building furniture, traveling and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Vierna who died in infancy and a brother, Albert E. Karst of Hays.

Gary is survived by his wife, Loretta of Topeka and three children: Kevin Karst and his wife Annette, Kansas City, MO; Sheri Curran and her husband Scott, Tulsa, OK; and Stacey Utech and her husband Randy, Topeka. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Travis and Kaitlin Curran and Madison and Makena Utech. Additionally, he is survived by three sisters: Dorothy Rube, Hoisington; Lafern Niedens, Great Bend; and Joyce Lust, Hoisington.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 3, 2007 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage, Topeka. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. He will lie in state after 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka; where there will be a Celebration of Life Service at 7:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Topeka Lutheran School-Grow Our School Campaign, 701 SW Roosevelt, Topeka, Kansas 66606 or to the Gary Karst Scholarship, Architecture Scholarship for Kansas State University Students, 2900 SW MacVicar Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66611. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.