William Arthur "Art" Rockhold, 82, passed away on January 14, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas. William was born on August 28, 1943, in Colony, Kansas, to Everett Arthur Rockhold and Villora Green Rockhold. Known as “Art” for the majority of his life, he was intellectually curious, eternally optimistic, constantly in motion, and consistently hardworking.

 

Art graduated from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, in 1966, earning a degree in Mathematics. He spent the majority of his professional career in aerospace engineering, working on a wide range of aircraft — from military to civilian programs — until his retirement. Over the course of his aerospace engineering career, Art lived and worked in several cities across the country, including Wichita, Kansas; St. Charles, Missouri; San Antonio, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; and Savannah, Georgia, before ultimately returning to Kansas. Earlier in his professional life he owned and operated small businesses, such as automotive service stations in eastern Kansas. 

 

Art had a deep love for music and was an accomplished ballroom dancer. He regularly participated in social dancing. He also competed in, and won, a few ballroom dance competitions. Aviation, sailing, driving, photography, biking, and racquetball were among his passions. Art earned a pilot’s license and flew single-engine planes, an experience that complemented both his professional work in aerospace engineering and his personal love of flying.

 

A lifelong sports fan, Art especially enjoyed cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks basketball teams.

 

Art was a member of the Methodist Church and valued the broader perspective his faith gave him on life.

 

Art is survived by his son, John Arthur Rockhold; John’s wife, Jessica Rockhold; his grandchildren, Amelia and Spencer; and his sister, LoraBeth Gillespie of Olathe, Kansas.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Villora Rockhold; his brother, John Walter Rockhold; and his sister, Dorothy Jean Wimbish.

 

Interment took place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, Kansas.

 

For those inclined, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Art’s name to the  Cure Alzheimer's Fund.