Kennett Samuel Cott

Dr. Kennett Samuel Cott, professor emeritus, Washburn University, died March 4, 2025, age 82.

Born April 12, 1942 in Elkhart, KS, Ken was the first of three children of Hubbard Yeager Cott and Clyda Hale Cott. Ken grew up in various towns on the High Plains from the Dakotas to Western Kansas. He graduated in 1964 from (then) Fort Hays State College. He received his masters and PhD degrees in Latin American history from the University of New Mexico, with an emphasis on Mexican history. Ken retired as a professor of history and chair of the Washburn University History Department in 2003, after 34 years of teaching and university service. He had a reputation as a challenging, but fair, teacher; an academic who valued scholarship, but took pride in classroom teaching and mentoring students. In 1988-89, Ken served as a Fulbright scholar in Paraguay, the first such scholar the country had hosted. While there, a military coup ousted the long-term dictator. The Latin American Studies Association appointed Ken to former president Jimmy Carter's international team to monitor the presidential election that followed the coup.

Ken led an honorable life, as an advocate for treating people decently and equally and by trying to improve the lives of people overlooked and shoved aside. He truly lived his commitment to peacemaking in tangible ways. Beginning with his opposition to the Vietnam War, he took leadership roles or served as an active member of Topeka's Amnesty International and American Civil Liberties Union. He founded and led the Topeka Alliance on Central America, and co-founded the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice. In 2013, the Center recognized Ken with its first-ever Individual Peacemaker award.

Ken's legacy will be his leadership and decades long commitment to improving education and healthcare in the impoverished, rural village of Los Talpetates, El Salvador. The Topeka-Talpetates Partnership's mission is to support education in the village. To date, 140 students have received scholarships to attend high school or college. His love and respect for the people of the village was boundless, and his many friends there are mourning his death.

Ken was an avid gardener. He liked hiking, camping, and traveling to historic sites. He was well known for his repertoire of old and quirky songs. He was a fan of the Chiefs, Royals, and Jayhawks. He never lost his youthful interest in Mexico; in retirement he and his wife lived part-time in Queretaro, MX. He was an ordained elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and a lifetime member of the Peacemaking Committee.

Ken married Marion Beth Morris on October 26, 1968. They had two children – Marion Annabelle, who died in infancy – and Amanda Marion Cott, who lives in Frederick, MD with husband Daniel Gohlke and their two sons, Morris Benjamin, 9, and Cole Samuel, 7.

Preceding him in death are his parents and a brother, Paul. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, a sister, Su Piccioni, and a cousin, Jo Scott, among other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka, KS on April 12 from 1-3 pm. In recognition of Ken's lifelong commitment to education and social justice, the family recommends contributions to the Talpetates Scholarship Fund, managed by Trinity Presbyterian Church. Funds are used exclusively for scholarships. Make checks payable to Trinity Presbyterian Church (4746 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604) with scholarships indicated on the memo line, or contribute online at https://trinitypresbyterian.net. Gifts to Washburn University, History Department scholarships, are also suggested.