William J. Rost

Dr. William Joseph Rost passed away Monday, May 25, 2015 with loved ones at his side. He was born December 8, 1926 in Fargo, North Dakota, the only child of William Melvin Rost and Christene Ruth Hamerlik Rost. He spent his growing years in South St. Paul, Minnesota where he graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1944 and the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy with highest honors, in 1948. Bill continued at the graduate level at the University and received his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry in 1952. He then accepted a position to teach at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas City which in 1963 became the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Besides teaching, he conducted research in his field and had many articles published in professional journals. He was a contributing author in several text books as well and was listed in “Who’s Who in American Men of Science”. He introduced the first PhD program in the school of Pharmacy and mentored nine graduate students for their PhD degree. Bill brought several organizations to campus: Rho Chi, Honorary Society in Pharmacy; Kappa Psi, Pharmacy Fraternity and Sigma XI, Honorary Science Society. He held the position of full professor until his retirement in 1989 after 37 years on the faculty.

At the University of Minnesota, he met classmate Rita Marie Cincoski whom he married in 1951 in St. Paul. They moved to Kansas the following year and subsequently reared three daughters. Bill will be remembered for his jokes and his great sense of humor. He was a wonderful husband and father, a very kind man.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rita of 63 years, his daughters Dr. Kathryn Rost (husband Mark Schwartz) of Tallahassee, FL; Patricia Prebil (husband Richard L. Prebil) of Inverness, IL and Carol Rost of Kansas City; six grandchildren, Abigail Prebil McSweeney, Charles R. Prebil, William A. Prebil, Amy Schwartz, Timothy J. Cockriel and Madeline J. Cockriel; and two great-grandchildren, Gianna Prebil and Sean McSweeney.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 11:00 a.m., at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., prior to the Mass at the church.

The family requests no flowers and suggests memorials to UMKC School of Pharmacy Foundation, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 in memory of Dr. William J. Rost or to St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, (816) 942-6180.