Robert Paul “Pete” Piotrowski, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020, at the Country Place Senior Living Facility in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He was born August 8, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the son of George Francis Piotrowski and Margaret Chambers Piotrowski. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School where he was taught by the nuns. He went on to Ft. Scott High School.
It was here that one of his high school coaches decided “Piotrowski” was just too long of a name to yell and he was given the nickname “Pete”. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1948. He joined the Army Reserve out of high school. Pete graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College in 1950. He received a teaching certificate and went on to teach at Hard Pan country school. In 1953, he was called into active duty, and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1955.
Following his service with the military, Pete married Lula Mae Groner on June 6, 1959, at St. Paul, Kansas. Pete’s father, George, started the family business just before Pete joined the military. While overseas, Pete would send his paychecks home to help with the investment known as Sunflower Supply. Sunflower was a successful wholesale tobacco and candy company that was home to the Piotrowski family for over forty-five years.
In the 70’s, while still working the family business, Pete decided to take on a full-time rural mail carrier position. He hauled the mail for over thirty years. He was the mailman that always carried gum with him, kids on the route quickly learned this and would always meet him at the mailbox.
After retiring from hauling mail and selling the family business, Pete enjoyed his farm outside of town. He had a garden, fruit trees, some ponds for fishing and a place for all his family to hang out and call home. Pete and Lou turned into Wendy’s Restaurant and Donut Shop regulars where they would meet their good friends for many years. Pete and Lou were active members of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered regularly. Pete and Lou shared their Catholic faith with their family, and they loved to hear the St. Mary’s Children’s Choir sing at the masses.
Survivors include his three children, Patricia Lou West and husband, Terry, Robert Jason Piotrowski and wife, Julie and Mary Paula Younggren and husband, Mike, all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Chrystal West Cowan (Josh), Ashlee Piotrowski Ludwig (Taylor), Gregory Piotrowski, Kayla West Collins (JD), Heather Rickerson Chavis (Josh), Emilee Piotrowski (Zach), and Casey Rickerson Proctor (Travis); and twelve great-grandchildren, Emmah Ludwig, Raylee Cowan, Eli Ludwig, Laramee James, Jace Cowan, Cheyann Collins, Caroline Proctor, Hayes Collins, Jackson Proctor, Kaislee Brittain, Theodore Chavis, and Rother Collins with one more great-grandson on the way.
Pete’s wife, Lou, preceded him in death on January 22, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bernard Francis Piotrowski, and a half-brother, George Alan Pirie.
Father Yancey Burgess will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, June 18th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Church. Visitation will follow from 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Church.
Memorials are suggested to the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or the St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
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