Hal Royce Welch

January 19, 1925—March 12, 2025

Wichita, Kansas

Hal Royce Welch, 100, passed away at his home of over seventy-five years on March 12, 2025. Born in Chanute, Kansas, to Martha Pauline Welch (Ackerman) and Allen Alonzo Welch, Hal spent his early years helping his parents raise cattle, pigs, and 400 chicks each spring. He enjoyed attending silent films accompanied by a pianist, making homemade ice cream, building model airplanes with his brother Bruce, and playing the accordion. While attending Topeka High School, he earned twenty-five cents an hour delivering groceries for Dibbles Grocery Store. Hal was the eldest of three children; his parents and brother Bruce predeceased him, while his brother A.L. Welch from Topeka, KS, survives him.

Hal enlisted in the Navy's V-5 aviation cadet training program at seventeen during World War II. His first flight involved piloting a Stearman "Yellow Peril" biplane, which he recalled "was every bit as much fun as I thought it would be." Although the war ended before he could earn his pilot's wings, his sense of adventure never faltered and endured throughout his long life.

Hal attended Kansas State University on the G.I. Bill, where he earned a degree in architecture. He admired Frank Lloyd Wright and believed that "architecture is how creativity fills space." Throughout his career, Hal contributed to significant structures across the nation while working with various firms, including the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka, Kansas. As a partner at Platt and Associates, he collaborated on numerous local projects, such as the Garvey Center's Page Court and Kiva buildings. He also played a key role in designing the dramatic tropical rainfall entrance to the Jungle Building at the Sedgwick County Zoo, along with many other notable projects throughout his fifty years of architectural practice.

In 1950, Hal wed Phyllis Jean Welch (Johnson) and moved from Topeka to Wichita. Unfortunately, Phyllis passed away in 1961 after a prolonged struggle with diabetes that began in her early childhood.

Before her death, Phyllis often enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, including a wonderful neighbor, Nellie B. Langston. Tragically, Nellie's husband lost his life in a plane crash earlier that same year. Two years later, Nellie and Hal married on July 20, 1963, bringing along Nellie's three teenage children: David, Ed, and Julie. Hal generously and unwittingly accepted his new family, who moved around the corner into his once quiet and peaceful home, and the adventure began. The house became somewhat crowded, so Hal enlisted Ed and David as journeymen to build a two-room, one-bath cantilevered redwood addition to the main house, incorporating a touch of Frank Lloyd Wright for good measure. Remarkably, it still stands strong 60 years later.

The adventure also included family ski trips to Colorado, where Hal and Nellie skied well into their seventies. They trekked through Peru and the Amazon rainforest, rafted down the Grand Canyon, and explored Europe with close friends from Grace Presbyterian Church. Hal loved his motorcycles, and on several occasions, he and Nellie rode across Colorado and the Southwest. Sadly, Nellie predeceased Hal on June 3, 2022, at the age of 102, nearly 60 years after their adventure together began.

Hal and Nellie created a home where generations thrived, including their surviving family: children through marriage to Nellie, David (Karen) Langston and Ed Langston, both from Wichita, KS, and Julie Langston from Nevada City, CA; grandchildren Jeeb Langston, Ari Langston, Kasi Scott-Bedell, Adia Scott, Bryan Langston, Julian Langston, and Marc Langston; great-grandchildren Isabeau and Indi Langston; niece Toni (John) Bixel from Peoria, Arizona; and nephew Mark (Jennifer) Welch from Olathe, Kansas.

Hal and Nellie devoted their time and love to Grace Presbyterian Church, where they formed many lifelong friendships. After retirement, Hal dedicated himself to the church's charitable missions, starting a "sawdust ministry" alongside his late friend Jack Braswell. Their efforts included projects to support the church and Jacob's Learning Ladder preschool. Those who pass by the church around Easter might notice the cross they designed and built, beautifully adorned with fresh flowers.

Hal's memorial service will take place at Grace Presbyterian Church, located at 5002 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., with a reception to follow at the church. Memorial contributions in Hal's name may be sent to Grace Presbyterian Church or to PBS member station KPTS (Channel 8).

A private family burial will occur at a later date.