Henry Putsch

Henry Eckles (Hank) Putsch died peacefully at his home in Kansas City, Missouri on April 22, 2016 at the age of 83. Hank was born on March 2, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts to Robert and Ruth Eckles Putsch. He attended Mt. Hermon School in Massachusetts and then graduated from Yale University in 1955. Hank married Janet Fletcher, a fellow educator, in 1956. After moving to Millbrook, New York, Hank was a teacher of English, Film and Theater, as well as an Arts Administrator. Over the next 12 years, the couple welcomed 4 children into their home. Hank received a Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and went on to become the Director of Program Development for the Philadelphia Bicentennial, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, as well as the Director and Executive Director for the National Endowments for the Arts in Washington D.C. Hank was married to Malle Lee Noukas Putsch and they had one child. In 1982, Hank became the Director of the Alliance of Independent Colleges of Art in Washington D.C. During this time, Hank met the love of his life, Sharon. In 1991 Hank and Sharon moved to Old Lyme, Connecticut, where they both were instrumental in leading the Lyme Academy to national accreditation as a 4-year art college. Hank served as President of the Academy and Sharon worked alongside her husband as Vice President, Academic Dean. Hank and Sharon retired in 2003, moving to New Haven, Connecticut and then to Kansas City, Missouri in 2007. Hank is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Sharon, his brother, Robert Putsch (Rosamond), Canyon Creek, Montana and seven children and their spouses: Lisa Peuser of Conshocken, Pennsylvania, Eric (Judy) Putsch of Media, Pennsylvania, Michael (Suzanne) Putsch of Heidelberg, Germany, Matthew Putsch of Washington, D.C., Perry Hunter (Abbie) of San Jose, California, Todd Hunter (Brian) of Bluffton, South Carolina and Elena Zimmerman (Gary) of Lone Jack, Missouri. Grandchildren include, Greg Ramseyer, Hannah, Will Henry, and Megan Peuser. Erin, Chris, John, and Moira Putsch. Jake, Ben, Megan and Sarah Putsch. Tom Henry, Yannik, and Emily Putsch. Anna and Henry Thomas Putsch. Mamie Hunter. Hannah, Casey and Jake Zimmerman. And great granddaughter Mya Ramseyer. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Carolyn Hoff, son, Nicholas Putsch, granddaughter, Frankie Abernathy and former wife, Janet Fletcher. Hank was an accomplished educator and fundraiser, shining brightest when he was raising funds to help students or the community. He worked tirelessly with Sharon to feed the poor and homeless of Kansas City as Co-Director for Downtown Outreach (the Mission of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church) where he was recently appointed Senior Warden. While at Yale, he sang for 4 years with the Yale Glee Club and the Spizzwinks singing group. He continued singing throughout his life. His love of photography continued until his death as he embraced digital photography, honing his skills in Photoshop while documenting his beloved family and capturing every special moment. Hank was a brilliant light—a student of astronomy (the world of space travel was a passion and Hank often quoted NASA and Space X information in his Friday email letters to family and friends), a lover of all the arts, a gifted mentor who showed unmatched kindness and patience and the epitome of a gracious gentleman. A mass and memorial service is scheduled on Saturday, May 14th, 3:00 pm, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes, Kansas City Missouri, with a reception to follow at the Parish Hall at the same address. The Reverend C. Patrick Perkins will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Hank’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Hank Putsch Memorial at DowntownOutreachkc.org. Since 1992 the volunteer-staffed Downtown Outreach KC program has prepared more than 150,000 meals and distributed over 60,000 bags of groceries for Kansas City’s poor and homeless. Without Hank’s fundraising efforts, this program will be stretched to the limit. Hank had hoped to collect $50,000 this year. The family hopes to raise this amount in Hank’s name. Fond memories and condolences can be shared at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com.