Michael Herman Foss

Foss, Michael Herman, 65, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Wichita, Kansas, passed away at his home on Monday, June 11, 2007. After graduating from Wichita West High School in 1960, Mike served in the US Marines and later attended Kansas State University, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1966. Upon graduation from college, Mike worked for Schaefer Schirmer and Eflin Architects in Wichita, Kansas. After moving to Kansas City he worked for a number of firms including Marshall and Brown and Kivett and Meyers. Mike was an outstanding designer with the drawing skills of an artist and he was an early adaptor of CAD and emerging design technologies. In 1980 he was a founding principal of Calcara Duffendack Foss Manlove architects in Kansas City and later was a principal with Foss Seligson Lafferty before retiring in 2005. Mike was an avid collector of unique and antique toasters and other appliances which were early examples of high quality product design and innovation. This passion also was reflected in his love of classic contemporary furniture, antique fishing gear, and old cars, particularly Alfa Romeos. In 1987 Mike was a team member of the Whatsamatteryou BBQ team which won the American Royal, an accomplishment in which he took great satisfaction. Mike's recipes for rub and sauce have created scores of avid followers throughout the country. In 1981 Mike purchased an historic Victorian home on the Westside, which was his joy and nemesis for the next 25 years. Mike was a beloved neighbor and friend who always offered assistance in design, hard labor or preparing mass quantities of food for block dinners. Survivors include brothers Larry Foss of Wichita and Ron Foss of Eagle, CO; niece, Ashley Ritchie of Wichita; nephew Brock Foss of Wichita; nephew Langdon Foss of Colorado Springs, CO; and countless friends and neighbors. Mike was an intelligent, kind and gracious gentleman. He was mischievous at times and always up for an adventure. He will be greatly missed.