James Ewbank, passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in 1931 in Ulysses, Kansas, he grew up on farms in northeast Kansas.
Jim became a student at Baker University until a draft notice arrived during the Korean conflict. He did not seek academic deferment, hoping to "see the world", and began his journey hitch-hiking from Garnett to Fort Riley for induction. The Army decided he should be a teacher, thus he spent his enlistment in Lawton, OK as a radio instructor. There he met and married Norma Carter, and they remained married for 69 years. After an honorable discharge he returned to Baker to finish a BA and subsequently earned an M.A. from the University of Kansas. He joined the faculty of Benedictine College and began teaching mathematics, when slide rules were the norm, and computer science, when code was entered on punch cards. He was elected chair of the KS section of the Mathematical Association of America (1970-71). He served several years as the college long distance running coach.
Life in Atchison allowed Jim to develop an interest in art. He spent summers painting several of the Victorian era houses in town. He was intrigued by the stained glass he saw and pursued intricate stained glass window construction as a hobby. After retirement his creations won awards from the Mo-Kan Artists, Midwest Artists, and Prairie Art Guild.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Ewbank (née Carter); his children, Stephen (Huey-Ching) Ewbank , Edye (Richard) Bruner , and Paul (Codrina) Ewbank ; and his grandchildren, Albert, Ellen(Kevin), and Mei-Ling(Danuka) Ewbank, Kimber Bruner, and Harry Ewbank. James was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Leone Ewbank, and his siblings, Marjorie Hunt, Bruce and Lorna Ewbank, Lorene Roeckers, Mary Seward, Russel, and John Ewbank.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice in honor of Jim. Cremation care is being provided by the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Services are pending at this time.