Wayne Lowe, 92, died Oct. 23, 2014, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born June 11, 1922, in Garden City, to Denzil and Eufery (Gigot) Lowe.

He grew up in Hutchinson and was active in youth groups and Boy Scouts at Trinity Methodist Church. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1940, Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, Okla. in 1942, and Oklahoma University, Norman, in 1947. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and joined McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis, Mo. in 1947. He earned a Master's of Science Degree from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1956.

Wayne married Betty Ann Kane of St. Louis in April 1950. She died in Oct. of 1982. Wayne then married Polly Adair Anderson of Hutchinson in Oct. of 1983. She survives. Other survivors include: daughter, Constance Lowe of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Judith Lowe Rubin and husband Bruce of St. Louis; son, Stephen Lowe and wife Charlene of Laguna Nigel, Calif.; stepdaughter, Judith Ontjes and husband Sam of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Wistar Holt Jr. and wife Janice, Katherine Holt, Allison Holt, Ryan Lowe, Hailey Fynaardt and husband Dan; step grandchildren, Joseph Ontjes and wife Angela, Laura Ontjes; step great-grandchildren, Emma, Amelia, and Clara Ontjes.

He retired from a 40-year career with McDonnell Douglas Corporation in St. Louis in 1987. He started as a design engineer on jet fighter aircraft, advancing to Program Manager of a number of military missile and space programs, and ending as Vice President, Deputy General Manager of McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. He also participated in the establishment and management of the McDonnell Douglas Missile Production Facility in Titusville, Fla. from 1966 to 1969. He traveled widely with U.S. Government Representatives to NATO Countries and Allies in Asia and served as U.S. Representative on a NATO Committee meeting in Brussels. Wayne returned to Hutchinson to reside in 1989. He was an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, member of Oklahoma University College of Engineering Board of Visitors, President of Hutchinson Rotary Club and Rotary Multiple Fellow, Chairman of Hutchinson Hospital Board of Directors, President of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center Volunteers, member of its Board of Directors and its Space Works Board, board member of Prairie Dunes Country Club and Hutchinson Town Club, and Chairman of Wesley Towers Retirement Community Board of Trustees. Wayne enjoyed international travel to Europe, South America, and Russia, as well as ski trips to Colorado with friends and family, coffee and luncheons in Hutchinson, and the fellowship and camaraderie of the Rotary Club, and LADS Golf and Tennis Groups at Prairie Dunes Country Club.

Casket will remain closed. Memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Sherman, Hutchinson, with Reverend Lowell Knauss officiating. Private family graveside service will take place. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Wesley Towers Good Samaritan Fund or to Kansas Cosmosphere Future Astronaut Training Program, in care of Elliott Mortuary 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.