Laurie Oswald Robinson's Lasting Impact

Laurie Oswald Robinson's Lasting Impact

Pictured above: Laurie Oswald Robinson with longtime friend and Board member, Gary Rediger.


    Early on a Monday morning, April 8, Laurie Oswald Robinson was struck and killed by a car as she was walking on a rural road southeast of Newton, training for the Kansas Camino Walk. That evening police arrested Samara Maple, 23, of Hutchinson, on preliminary charges of failure to stop at the scene of a fatal accident.


    Laurie, 64, was a key part of the work of Peace Connections and will be sorely missed. She worked at fund development under three different PC directors, wrote often for this newsletter and helped coordinate the annual Paul E. Oswald Memorial Golf Tournament, now in its eighth year, in her father’s name.


    Kendra Davila, current PC director, says she loved how Laurie honored her relationship with her dad. “She involved her family in her work,” says Kendra, and “had a passion for both.” Anyone who met Laurie knew her as outgoing, friendly, and enthusiastic. “She offered me a lot of encouragement,” says Kendra, and “was brave in a way I was not.” Kendra often accompanied Laurie in visiting donors. “She coached me in talking with people about our

work,” says Kendra. “She embodied our mission.”


    Her work brought in money, support, volunteers and connections. “She gave her full self and didn’t mind admitting when she didn’t know something.” Laurie resigned from Peace Connections in February to work on a book and other projects, though she didn’t want to leave, says Kendra. 


    The annual Golf Tournament she championed will be held in June, in honor of her father Paul Oswald and now also honoring Laurie Oswald Robinson. You are invited to share in the spirit of community by joining this years’ event.

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