Ted C Tow II

Ted C Tow, 84, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away peacefully August 25, 2020, at Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas.

Mr. Tow was born August 20, 1936 in Omaha, Nebraska. He spent his childhood and high-school years in Stanton, Nebraska. He was a graduate of Wayne State College (Nebraska), a former trustee of the Wayne State College Foundation, and a former member of the college’s national alumni committee. He also did graduate studies in journalism at the Universities of Wyoming and Iowa and in education and educational public relations at Fort Hays State.

Mr. Tow taught at the high school and community college in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and taught journalism at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He later owned a small, weekly newspaper and then owned a public relations firm in Hays for several years. In 1972, he joined the NCAA staff in Kansas City as director of publishing. He was an assistant executive director until 1988 and then associate executive director until he retired in February 1994.

While at the NCAA, he was responsible for the association’s publishing activities and oversaw both publishing and administration departments for many years. He also served as primary staff liaison to the NCAA Council, at that time the association’s board of directors. He was instrumental in the formation and first decade of activities of the former NCAA Presidents Commission.

Survivors include his daughter Teri L. Martin of Independence, Missouri; son Thomas S. Tow and his wife Annette of St. Joseph, Missouri; son Ted C. Tow III and his wife, Cathy Traugott of Northglenn, Colorado; daughter Tamara A. Wollerman and her husband Chris of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. A sister, Tamara Stautland and her husband, Sigurd Stautland, of San Diego, California; a niece Sue Hawkinson of San Diego, California; eight grandchildren, including Brandon Tow of Overland Park, Kansas, Michaela Tow of Manhattan, Kansas, and Jacob Young of St. Joseph, Missouri; Corey Pryor and wife Caty of Baxter, Tennessee; Jacob Tow and Cammy Tow of Northglenn, Colorado; Ava Wollerman and Sam Wollerman of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Two great-grandchildren, Savannah Martin and Dalton Pryor of Baxter, Tennessee. And Mr. Tow’s long-time significant other, Carol Lipp Strauss of Newport Beach, California.

The family is honoring Mr. Tow’s wishes to forego a service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests directed donations to Olathe Hospice House at https://www.olathehealth.org/patients-and-visitors/giving/one-time-gift/

Visits: 1

Condolences

  1. Karen O'Connor on August 28, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved Ted. May he rest in eternal peace. I worked with Ted at the NCAA from 1976-1989.



  2. Phyllis Tonn on August 28, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    My sincerest sympathies to all of Ted’s family for your loss. I was Ted’s assistant at the NCAA for most of his career there. He was a great influence to me and many others with his dedication and work ethic.



  3. tobi minich on August 28, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    Heartfelt condolences for your loss. You’re all in my prayers.



  4. Carol Lewis on August 28, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    My sincere sympathies to the Tow family. I worked at the NCAA from 1973 to 1983. Although l did not work directly with Ted, I always enjoyed his coming up to the third floor to say hi and he passed through. I’m sure he will be missed by many.



  5. Michelle Pond on August 28, 2020 at 6:35 pm

    My condolences to the Tow family. I worked as a publications editor at the NCAA. Ted helped me to sharpen both my writing and editing skills. I am grateful for that and the many opportunities I had while working for him.



  6. Dan Dutcher on August 28, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    Ted was a great mentor and friend during our time working together at the NCAA. Sincere condolences to his family.



  7. Jim Marchiony on August 28, 2020 at 10:06 pm

    My heartfelt condolences to Ted’s family. I worked with Ted at the NCAA for a decade; none of us who worked with him can overstate the lasting influence he had on all of us. RIP, Ted.



  8. Margaret R Givens on August 29, 2020 at 8:27 am

    I moved to KC in 2017. Ted was a neighbor and grew into a force. We’d meet daily at the mailboxes or my birdbath, on his driveway and discuss, debate and never resolve world, national, local, sport, family and health issues. My travels and social life, too! Dry to the bone, Ted usually got the last word…wink, wink! He worked the `hood, delivering papers and mail to front doors, pulling trashcans up driveways after pick up and scheduling men’s coffees, he titled as KOMA!
    I miss him and his old school charms. Rest in peace, Ted. Thank you for your watchful presence over me….even now!



  9. Conrad Smith on August 29, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    Ted was a true and well-known character in our tight-knit community. It was a pleasure to have known him and sharing his company, especially at our Wednesday morning men’s breakfast group. Ted called the group Kingston Oaks Men’s Association (KOMA) and often wondered why there was no Women’s Association of Kingston Oaks (WACO). We all looked forward to hear Ted’s pearls of wisdom at the end of each gathering. These observations included quotes and observations from Dave Berry to Francis of Assisi; from Harry Truman to Mark Twain. Quick with a joke…usually dripping with a fair degree of sarcasm…Ted was one of a kind and will be sorely missed. Godspeed, Ted and rest in peace.



  10. Sherre Foreman on August 29, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    Ted was one of the nicest guys at the NCAA & my first boss. He treated women with dignity & respect. His dry wit was great. Bill & I enjoyed remaining in contact when he & Louis Spry were working for the T-Bones & beyond. We are thankful our paths crossed.



  11. Gina Provenzo-Bye on August 30, 2020 at 10:09 am

    My sincere condolences to Ted’s family he will be greatly missed by all those that had the pleasure of knowing him.
    He always had a joke, a story and yes even a comic strip to share!
    He loved to reminisce about his childhood, career, children and the Love of his life Carol.
    He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
    I had the pleasure of cutting his hair for the past 15 year’s and I will sure miss him.
    Thank you Tammy for finding me and letting me know.



  12. Jim Fallis on September 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Ted was a wonderful guiding light, especially to up and coming athletic administrators. I had the pleasure of serving on the NCAA Council in the late 80’s and would always look forward to his sage advice and analysis of issues that came up.
    His had a knack of providing a quick response that, upon reflection, seemed to have been well thought out and measured.
    The true measure of a man is how he impacts future generations, Ted certainly impacted me in the most of positive ways. Condolences to all of his loved ones.



  13. S. Adams on September 4, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    Ted sent me bday cards and his beloved Christmas letter even though I only knew him through his girlfriend in SoCal, Carol, who is still a fine, longtime friend of mine.
    Ted had a quiet charm that calmed and set straight all who had the pleasure of knowing him. God bless his soul! I’m so happy I sent his
    Bday card this yr. very early and my other humorous support card for his personal amusement. May the
    Heavens above enjoy him and his love of language as much as we did on earth-
    To the Tow family: my deepest sympathy to all of you; I will miss him as the remarkable man Ted was for mos./yrs. to come now as I know you will too! He was a
    “Shining Light of Inspiration and Kindness” to all who had the pleasure of knowing him! -Sallie Adams, M.A.



  14. Bill Hancock on October 18, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    We send our sincere condolences. Ted was an incredible friend to many. And always a teacher. His loss leaves a big hole in our lives.



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