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Todd Achelpohl Obituary
February 2, 1960 - December 29, 2024
Kansas City, Missouri - James Todd "Todd" Achelpohl, 64, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on December 29, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. He was born on February 2, 1960, in Topeka, Kansas, to Ray and Juanita "June" (Barnes) Achelpohl. Todd received degrees in architecture from the University of Kansas and Columbia University. At KU, he was a Ewart Scholar at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London.
Todd began his career at Hollis + Miller Architects while he was attending Shawnee Mission South High School. Following his studies, Todd practiced architecture in New York City in the office of Edward Larrabee Barnes where he worked on the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building in Washington, DC. In Kansas City, he worked with Abend/Singleton Associates on the Charles E. Whittaker U.S. Courthouse and then at HNTB on projects including the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Convention Center and the Kansas City Public Library's Central Library. He spent 15 years practicing with HNTB, where he served as Director of Design, Convention Center Practice Leader, and Eastern District Business Development Director.
Todd was known for his design leadership and love of teaching and mentorship. In 2014, he joined the faculty at the KU School of Architecture & Design where he taught Design Studio. He was most proud of his work teaching design. He was a loving husband and father and lived for all things "431" including cooking, entertaining, and gardening. Todd believed in giving in all possible ways, but especially through the touch of creativity in everyday life. Todd leaves his beloved wife, Kathy (Webb) Achelpohl, daughter Emily Webb Achelpohl, brother Scott Barnes Achelpohl, and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Steven Edward Achelpohl, and sister Nancy Jan Achelpohl.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, February 15, at the South Lobby of the Kansas City Convention Center's Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom, 10 am – Noon, service at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Todd and Kathy Achelpohl Fund for International Scholarship at the KU School of Architecture & Design.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Scott Achelpohl
January 15, 2025
Todd, my brother, we were closer when we were young and grew more distant as we aged, but you'll always be with me, and you were there for some of my best moments and, thankfully, some of my worst. Beside me and strengthening me, through hideous things like divorce and the loss of dad and mom, Steve and Jan, and the joy of becoming a parent. We had our famous trip to Philly with Steve, almost crashing the car on the way down cause of my bald tires, flying Egg McMuffins, Shammo the Lobster and getting kicked out of Bookbinders; New York and stumbling around after far too much tequila and enjoying great food at Ollie's and Zabar's; and our memories as kids, Indiana Jones all Christmas night on Atari and air hockey, Star Wars, and building that damn deck onto the back of the house on 99th Terrace in OP. Picking out Harvey the rabbit to give Dad for Christmas. Scottie dogs, all those Scottie dogs. Watching Steve birdie holes during frustrating rounds of golf with him ... from the woods. Trying unsuccessfully to pilot our sailboat at Shawnee Mission Lake and throwing curveballs in the backyard, model building in the basement, and waiting out tornado warnings there for so many summers. Jumping Evel Kneivel over cop cars. Cheering on our Royals, Chiefs, and Jayhawks. Building model rockets and watching them fly from the playground at my school. You're gone too soon, and we didn't have a chance to make our bond less complicated than it had been in recent years, but you're flying now, big bro, like our rockets, after such an exhausting battle you fought, with your usual grace and dignity. You're our champion. See you on the other side, I know it. Love ya, Scott
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