Three years ago, on Nov. 1, 2023, President David Laughlin addressed the Rockhurst High School community following the celebration of the Mass of All Saints.

 

He shared that the Learning Commons at Rockhurst, which were constructed in 2017, would be renamed the Kilker Learning Commons in honor of Bob Kilker ‘39, who passed away in 2008, by his widow, Rosemary Cannon Kilker. 

“She loves the motto ‘men for others’ and she expressed that in you - our students, faculty, and staff - she sees hope in a world desperately in need of good news,” remarked President Laughlin in his 2023 announcement. “Because of these values, and because of the way her husband spoke of his love for Rockhurst High School, she made a gift that would support education and formation of the young men here at Rockhurst in the memory of her late husband.”

Though Rosemary and Bob never had children of their own, she delighted in Valentine cards, notes, and visits from the nearly 1,000 young Hawklets who became “hers” when she invested in their futures through her philanthropy. She also looked forward to the prospect of an eventual honey harvest from the Rockhurst apiaries, asking about progress during every visit.

In December 2024, Rosie created The Reverends Tom and John Divine, SJ, Faculty Compensation Fund in honor of two young men whose care was entrusted to her parents from a young age. Both became respected Jesuit priests and scholars. The fund was created to honor their legacies and also as testament to Rosemary’s belief that “investing in faculty is investing in the future.” 

The founding gift for the Divine Fund was also the first gift received to the FORTIS Campaign. A plaque in the Kilker Learning Commons commemorates the fund, much to Rosemary’s chagrin, as she often reminded the Rockhurst High School team with her hallmark moxie that she was “a woman who doesn’t like hoopla!”

 

At the age of 97, Rosemary peacefully joined Bob, her parents, and her sisters in eternal rest in God’s presence on Oct. 25, 2026. 

 

In her own words, Rosemary expressed joy that her gifts would be used “to further the education of the boys entrusted to [Rockhurst’s] care because of my belief that education is the bedrock of a lifetime of opportunity and success.”

 

Per her wishes, the legacy gifts she created through what she and Bob built together will continue to aid countless Rockhurst Hawklets, faculty members, and families.

Rest in peace, our dear friend Rosemary.