Obituary of Vincent E. Alstatt

Vincent E. Alstatt, 89, of Manhattan, Kansas, a former resident of Riley, Kansas, died Tuesday August 7th, 2012 at Meadowlark Hills Nursing Home. He was born May 4, 1923 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin the first child of the Reverend Eben John and Elsie Alfreda Olson Alstatt. He attended schools in McPherson and Lindsborg. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1941. He joined the Army in September of 1942 and proudly served his country during WWII in the Southwest Pacific, Australia, the Philippines, and Okinawa. His service to his country ended in January 1946. While attending Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska, he met his wife, Jeanette Helen Anderson. They were married on June 15th, 1947. Vincent graduated from Midland College in 1950 with a B.S. in Education. He continued his education while raising his family. He attended Emporia State University, where he earned his Masters Degree in School Administration. Vincent served his communities as a life long educator in several small Kansas towns, such as Scandia, Marquette, Waverly, & Olathe. He finally settled in Riley, Kansas with his family in 1963. This is where he and his wife decided they would raise their children Linda, Dori, and Eric. After settling in Riley, Vincent became very active in the community. He joined the local Lions Club, and became a member of the Walsburg Lutheran church. He held several positions within the Riley County school district, including Principal of the grade school and Athletic Director. He loved Riley County athletics and rarely missed an event. Vincent dedicated himself to, and enjoyed spending his summers coaching track for local athletes. Coaching and officiating track events was one of his favorite activities. He officiated multiple high school and state track events. He often officiated events at Kansas State University, and was invited to officiate track events at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Vincent retired from Riley County school district in 1985. For many years he spent his summers with his wife, Jeanette, as a host volunteer at Yellow Stone National Park. During his retirement, he enjoyed his free time relaxing and visiting with friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son Carl Melvin Alstatt, his sister Maree Cooper and his brother John Alstatt. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, of the home, one son, Eric Alstatt of Riley, Kansas; two daughters, Linda Wahl and husband Richard of Wakeeney, Kansas and Dori Allen of Manhattan, Kansas; one brother, Charlie Alstatt of Valley Center, Kansas; three grandchildren, Jillene Van Hoy and husband Tom of Greenville, South Carolina, Alan Wahl of Wakeeney, Kansas and Todd Allen and wife Christine of Manhattan, Kansas, and four great grandchildren. A funeral service with Military Honors was held on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the Walsburg Lutheran Church northeast of Leonardville, Kansas, with Pastor Gordon L. Sandquist officiating. The organist was Rhonda Baer. Burial will be held at a later date. The Holmes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials have been established for the Athletic Department of the Riley County USD #378 Schools and the Walsburg Lutheran Church.