1950
Charles and Tensie Oldfather
The Oldfathers met at the University of Nebraska and were married in 1942. They came to Lawrence in 1950, where Charley became a professor of law at the University of Kansas and Tensie raised a family of five boys and two girls. For the next half century, the Oldfathers became significant Lawrence citizens. Although they had a large family, they regularly opened their doors to troubled teens. For more than 20 years, they provided temporary housing for teenagers in emergency situations through the Volunteers in Court program. Tensie volunteered for many things in the community, including 4H and PTA. Through the years, Charley too became well-known in the community, appearing in community theater productions, films and a host of civic activities.
The benevolent personalities of Tensie and Charley enriched the lives of many in Lawrence. They both gave generously of their spirits and their resources to improve the lives of others and to create lasting legacies for Lawrence and its citizens. Through their years in Lawrence, they supported the Red Cross, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Inc., Head Start, The Villages, the Lawrence Community Theater, the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas Public Radio and many others.
When Tensie received a significant inheritance in the 1970s, their philanthropic nature was only increased with quiet humility. As one result, however, Charley was able to quit his job as law professor and take up acting, a natural gift. This also allowed him to become involved in many civic activities during the day, including serving on the school board, chairing the State Advisory Council on Aging, and helping restore Liberty Hall in the 1980s.
After Charley died in 1996, Tensie continued the couple’s commitment to Lawrence, steadfastly following her belief that sharing one’s resources is the best way to both give and to receive. In 2000, Tensie gave $4 million to establish the Douglas County Community Foundation, which, in only five years, grew to assets of over $7 million, returning more than $1 million in grants to community nonprofits that promote education, health care, development, the environment and the arts. The quality of life for the citizens of Lawrence and the Oldfather’s charitable legacy helped assure Lawrence’s future.
Tensie Oldfather died October 2, 2007.
Step Sponsored By: Tensie Oldfather