Patrick Martin Salsbury

Patrick Martin Salsbury passed away March 5, 2026. A lifelong Topeka resident, he was born to Albert “Blue” and Marie Decker Salsbury on the day after St. Patrick’s Day in 1946. He grew up in a loving home, learning the honor and value of hard work from his father, a skilled carpenter and tradesman. At the same time, he sharpened his notable quick wit and a streak of occasional mischief from life surrounded by his sister Annie and brothers Chuck, Gene, Joe and Mike. Pat proceeded through public schools, graduating from Topeka West High School in 1964 as part of the first class to attend from start to finish at what was then a new high school. In keeping with his appetite for fun, he and a small group of friends rode horses to the last day of their senior year, paying the janitor to watch and feed the horses while the boys went to class.

After a brief time, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California with the U.S. Marine Corps, Pat returned to Topeka, finished an undergraduate degree and ultimately graduated from Washburn University Law School in 1974. That same year, he began his lifelong legal career with the Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer law firm in Topeka. During his time practicing law, he was known by both colleagues and adversaries as a fair, courteous and honest litigator who could give any scenario an unbiased and unemotional review. With Pat, his professional integrity went seamlessly with the quick, dry humor that could create a memory even for the most momentary of his acquaintances. He served as managing partner of the Goodell firm from 2007 to 2014 and was once honored as Boss of the Year throughout the firm. Pat was a former President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Topeka Bar Association and was honored in 2016 with the Topeka Bar Association Liberty Bell Award. In 2025, he was again recognized with the TBA’s Honorable E. Newton Vickers Professionalism Award, as well as the Kansas Bar Association Professionalism Award. Even with all the professional accolades, Pat took special pride in the rare achievement of his membership in SOABs.

Pat routinely found the joy of connecting with others throughout many aspects of his life. In over a decade serving on the Board of Directors for American Home Life Insurance Company, he and his wife Vicki enjoyed making memories and deepening friendships with the group. His service on the American Cancer Society Board had special meaning to him, having been triumphant over cancer earlier in his life. For many years Pat was a member of the Shawnee Yacht Club, sailing a C Scow and taking in the camaraderie of his fellow captains.

While very respected and accomplished professionally, Pat’s star shined brightest with family. He is survived by his wife, Victoria Salsbury; daughter, Gretchen McCarter (James); son, Patrick Salsbury II (Melissa); daughter, Keni Johnson; daughter, Lindsey Griffin (Grayling); grandchildren Hunter, Preston and Piper McCarter, Hank and Chet Salsbury, Gregory Owens, and Troy and Case Griffin. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gene Salsbury, and son, Troy Johnson. Through the years, Pat enjoyed many a good time with his children and grandchildren, while also serving as a solid sounding board ready and willing to tackle whatever challenges life might bring. Ski trips, teaching sports skills, home renovations, weddings, the birth of grandchildren and even restoring a car – Pat had all the knowledge to make everything go great. Even in the rare times he may not have known the answer, he was a master of making everyone think he did. As in all facets of his life, his humor was both disarming and magnetic around the house on a daily basis. He could bring instant life to any event or family gathering, yet he was never an attention seeker, and his magnetism was seemingly unintentional. Friends, family and everyone in between simply enjoyed being near him. He was extremely proud of, and very much loved his family, from his siblings through the family he cultivated in adulthood. Pat was truly a man who could make you think deeply, smile and laugh uncontrollably, sometimes all within a five-minute span. He will forever be an incredible man in our hearts.

Please join the family for a celebration of Pat’s life on Monday, March 30th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate blood in Pat’s honor at the Community Blood Center or contribute a monetary gift to Blood Cancer United.