Joe Meinhardt

1930 - 2023

A life-long Kansan, Joe Meinhardt was born in Wichita, Kansas on October 25, 1930 to parents Joseph and Mabel Meinhardt. He grew up on a farm near Maple Hill and graduated from Maple Hill High School. He lived more than 70 years in Manhattan, Kansas where he was an active member of the community.

An avid fan of Wildcat football, Joe held season tickets for decades, seldom missing a game, and continuing to cheer for his team from his favorite recliner as he grew older. He had many friends and business associates in Manhattan, and he particularly enjoyed having coffee with his buddies at Vista Burger (no women allowed!). Going to coffee was a greatly anticipated part of his weekly routine for many years.

He and his wife, Darylene (McCormic), were enthusiastic travelers. They traveled the country coast-to-coast; and after their retirement, they explored the world by taking an around-the-world cruise. Joe loved to hunt and fish. He and his son, Ernie, enjoyed sharing their passion for both. Joe went on a number of African safaris with Ernie and together they journeyed through some of the wildest territory on earth. Perhaps Joe loved nothing better than sitting around a campfire sharing stories.

Unless, of course, it was playing golf. A member of Manhattan Country Club for more than 50 years, Joe was relentless in his pursuit of the game. He had a cart path through the woods that led from his house to the club. He could be on the tee-box in minutes and could frequently be found chasing that elusive hole-in-one.

As a young man, Joe served in the Kansas National Guard. He began his career working for the Santa Fe Railroad, eventually spending 30 years working for what was to become Equifax. During that time, he invested in real estate including many properties in Manhattan. He and Darylene managed the properties with the help of daughter, Cindy, until transitioning into full-time retirement.

At the age of 93, Joe passed away peacefully on December 22, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Mabel Meinhardt, wife Darylene, daughter Cindy, and his brother, Larry. He is survived by son, Dr. Ernest Meinhardt and wife Patti of Anchorage, Alaska and La Quinta, California, nephew Steve Meinhardt and niece Nancy Turpin of Topeka, and brother-in-law Ken McCormic of Manhattan. After nearly 60 years in the limestone house on Bluemont Hill, Joe also leaves behind a host of cherished friends.

A celebration of Joe's life will be held in the spring.