Gregory Rundquist

Gregory D. Rundquist, age 75, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 30th, 2018 while at home, after a battle with pneumonia.

Greg was born on Nov 2, 1942 in Norfolk, NE to Elwin and Marzella (Bubbs) Rundquist. He spent the majority of his childhood in the small town of Royal, NE, raising hell with his brother Tom and picking on sister Sandy. After graduating valedictorian of his high school class of 3 people, he studied architecture at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Whileworking for a firm in New York City, life took an unexpected turn at the age of 26 when he received his first kidney transplant during the pioneering times of transplants in the country. His mom’s gift of a kidney turned out to be a perfect match and lasted 35 years (15 years longer than expected).

He went on to open his own business in Kansas City, Rundquist & Associate Architects, and on April 20, 1974, he married the beautiful and wholesome Barbara Johnson. Together, they had two perfect children, Scott and Christine, and later welcomed 5 amazing grandchildren. They built a life together for 40 years in the Brookside community of Kansas City, MO, and found many life-long friends there.

At the age of 62, Greg received the gift of another life-saving kidney, this time from his brother Tom — and we’re pretty sure Greg took the better of Tom’s two kidneys in order to remind Tom who’s in charge. Over the years, he kept up with dozens of home remodel projects, found ways to feed his love for architecture and the arts, and still made time to take trips and spend time with loved ones. He and Barbara spent 44 happy years together. Through all of his medical ups and downs, his sense of humor never wavered. He kept the rest of us at ease even if he was suffering. If you learned anything from Greg, it was to not take life too seriously. If he was talking, he was laughing. That’s just the way he rolled. And the world is better because of him.

Greg is survived by his wife, Barbara; by his son, Scott Rundquist and his children, Aurora, Scott, Jr. and Lawrence, by his daughter, Christine (Rundquist) Quick, son-in-law, Chad Quick and their children, Austin and Amelia; by his brother, Tom Rundquist and his wife Shirley; by his sister, Sandy (Rundquist) Gregory and her husband Mike Gregory; and by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elwin and Marzella (Bubbs) Rundquist.

Services will be held at the Muehlebach Funeral Home (6800 Troost Ave, KCMO 64131) on Tuesday, June 5. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. with a memorial service at 3 p.m. A light reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the family or Assurance Cremation Society.