Obituary for Andrew Gerald Rensel
Andrew “Drew” Gerald Rensel, dearly loved friend, partner, proud father, beloved son and brother, died Jan. 23, 2022, at age 40.
Drew was born Aug. 5, 1981 in Dallas. His family relocated to Naperville, Ill., in 1988, where he became a skilled swim team member. With another relocation to Valley Center, Kan., in the 1990s, he participated in high school band, soccer, scholars bowl, and chess - helping the chess team win Kansas’ 1997-98 5A state championship and then rank at the national competition. He graduated VCHS in 1999 with two years in National Honor Society, and then graduated Kansas State University in 2002, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in leadership studies. After that, he made Wichita his home with family, Sara and Claire. He earned an MBA from Wichita State University in 2009. Professionally, among other jobs, he worked in management for Sherwin-Williams and Westlake Hardware.
Possessing determination, an adventurous spirit, and a competitive drive to be the best, he pursued a number of activities - becoming K-State’s all-state intramural champion in racquetball twice and completing the 2008 Heart of Wichita Marathon. Drew loved being surrounded by nature, at first traversing national parks with his parents and brothers and later solo thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and climbing a volcano in Guatemala. Charming, witty, and funny, he was the favorite antagonizer of his nieces and nephews, and would share offbeat history and stats like the current temperature in a random city. He treasured time with Claire, coaching her soccer team, taking her on bike rides, and being her enthusiastically awkward dance dad.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents. He is survived by partner Sara Julian (Wichita); daughter Claire (Andrew) Mead of Manhattan, KS; parents Daniel J. and Dolores Rensel of Denver; brother Matthew (Michelle) Rensel of Colorado; brother Daniel D. (Heather) Rensel of Atlanta; and nieces and nephews.
An informal time of remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at Sedgwick County Park (Sunflower Building). In Drew’s honor, ice cream (his favorite food) will be served and guests will be encouraged to walk one of the many trails. In lieu of flowers, please make direct donations to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in memory of Drew Rensel.
Drew was born Aug. 5, 1981 in Dallas. His family relocated to Naperville, Ill., in 1988, where he became a skilled swim team member. With another relocation to Valley Center, Kan., in the 1990s, he participated in high school band, soccer, scholars bowl, and chess - helping the chess team win Kansas’ 1997-98 5A state championship and then rank at the national competition. He graduated VCHS in 1999 with two years in National Honor Society, and then graduated Kansas State University in 2002, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in leadership studies. After that, he made Wichita his home with family, Sara and Claire. He earned an MBA from Wichita State University in 2009. Professionally, among other jobs, he worked in management for Sherwin-Williams and Westlake Hardware.
Possessing determination, an adventurous spirit, and a competitive drive to be the best, he pursued a number of activities - becoming K-State’s all-state intramural champion in racquetball twice and completing the 2008 Heart of Wichita Marathon. Drew loved being surrounded by nature, at first traversing national parks with his parents and brothers and later solo thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and climbing a volcano in Guatemala. Charming, witty, and funny, he was the favorite antagonizer of his nieces and nephews, and would share offbeat history and stats like the current temperature in a random city. He treasured time with Claire, coaching her soccer team, taking her on bike rides, and being her enthusiastically awkward dance dad.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents. He is survived by partner Sara Julian (Wichita); daughter Claire (Andrew) Mead of Manhattan, KS; parents Daniel J. and Dolores Rensel of Denver; brother Matthew (Michelle) Rensel of Colorado; brother Daniel D. (Heather) Rensel of Atlanta; and nieces and nephews.
An informal time of remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at Sedgwick County Park (Sunflower Building). In Drew’s honor, ice cream (his favorite food) will be served and guests will be encouraged to walk one of the many trails. In lieu of flowers, please make direct donations to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in memory of Drew Rensel.