Memorial services for Brian S. Kubota will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 3pm on Friday, May 31, 2024. Brian died Sunday, May 19, 2024. He will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, KS.
Brian Shigeo Kubota was born in Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii on March 16, 1943 to Shigeomi and Bernice Aiko (Hamamura) Kubota. He attended Koloa Grammar School and Kauai High School in Lihue, Hawaii. He graduated from Iowa State University, Ames, IA, with a degree in Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning. He married Virginia (Ginny) Gutz on April 29, 1967. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Vicki, Chicago, IL and Jeff, Lawrence, KS. Also surviving are siblings: Adele (Don) Stevens, Honolulu, HI; Louella Rita, Makawao, Maui, HI; Sue Kubota, Honolulu, HI; and Burt (Debra) Kubota, Koloa, Kauai, HI. He was also Uncle to eight nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Iowa State University, Brian was employed by Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff from 1966-1969. He then moved to Lawrence, KS and worked for the city as the Assistant Planning Director. In 1970 he joined the partnership of Robertson, Peters, Erickson, and Williams and also worked as Assistant Professor of Architecture from 1972-1973. In 1978 he established Landplan Engineering, a branch of Peters, Kubota, Glenn. Some of Brian’s well-known urban design projects are Downtown Lawrence, Maupintour Travel Service (International Headquarters Building), Lawrence City Hall, Alvamar Country Club, Broken Arrow and South Junior High Schools, Lawrence Public Library and Trailridge Apartments. Alvamar West Golf Course, Orchards Golf Course, Holcomb Park and Buford M Watson, Jr. Park are additional site plans he designed. Brian won awards for Maupintour, Lawrence Town Center, Lawrence City Hall, and the Federal Office Building, Topeka, KS.
Brian served as National President and Vice President of ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) and many boards and task forces throughout the years. He also served as ASLA Prairie Gateway Chapter trustee for several terms. He attained Fellowship status in ASLA due to his contributions, professional accomplishments, attitude, and character. He was President of the Boys’ Club, Board Member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and Building Committee Member/Consultant of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was also a Consultant for Corpus Christi Catholic Church and St. Lawrence Catholic Center.
After retiring from Landplan Engineering, he developed The Villas, one of Lawrence’s first empty-nester, single-family home developments and The Cove, a townhouse empty-nester development. He’s been a consultant for numerous developers throughout his career.
Brian and Ginny spent many winters in Naples, FL. He also loved to golf and enjoyed trips on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Many family vacations were spent with relatives in Hawaii and exploring other parts of the country. A little-known fact about Brian is that he enjoyed singing karaoke.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66049 or Visiting Nurses of Douglas County, P.O. Box 1260. Lawrence, KS 66044.
GINNY,
I am so sorry and am heartbroken for you. I have never forgotten all the fun times we had on the motorcycle trips, staying at your house and going somewhere in Lawrence to eat. I also can never forget the special you shared with Doug and I.
You are in my thoughts and prayers always.
I am glad his misery is over because it was a long
Ordeal. I bet DOUG was there to greet him. I love you and miss you.
Dear Ginny, Vicki and Jeff…….So sad about Brian’s passing. Know he is finally out of pain and suffering. He accomplished many things in his life and he was a great brother-in-law..Love, Joni
We are deeply saddened with the loss of Brian! He was a great person, fun to be around, great smile and was a dear friend!
Glad we got to celebrate Brian’s last birthday with him and Ginny! Thoughts and prayers for Ginny, Vickie, and Jeff at this sad & difficult time.
He will be missed! RIP Brian!🌹
Dear Ginny, I am so saddened to read of Brian’s passing. I know you had a wonderful life together. My prayers go you to you and your family.
I am saddened to learn that Brian passed away .While I never had the opportunity to personally meet him, I knew of him as a loving father to Jeff, who was a talented high school artist I remember fondly.. Ginny has been a valued person I enjoy interacting with through social media .
I am truly sorry for the pain of losing Brian. He was a special man.
You are in my prayers,
Brian was the first person to welcome us to the Villas. He and Jim many games of golf together both in Kansas and Naples. We will miss his wonderful friendship.
While my only real contact with Brian was at Faithfully Fit Forever at Immanuel, I will never forget his smile. When the corners of his lips turned up, he looked like the happiest person on the planet. Sending giant hugs as you go through this difficult time.
So upset to learn of Brian’s passing! We shared many hours working together and water skiing! Really enjoyed our trips to events and to new Perry lake with Ginny and kids ! My best regards to all of you! Jim
Brian was a wonderful neighbor every winter in Naples. We missed him when he sold his condo. I am sure he was welcomed into Heaven by Reno, Jimme and many others.
Brian was a wonderful person to know and be a neighbor for many years. Until the last year Brian and I would talk about our experiences with Mayo and our treatment. He helped me so much in the last four years. RIP and prayers to your family.
Brian made everything around him beautiful and there was nothing more beautiful than his smile excepting his sense of humor. Our prayers and condolences are with Mrs. Kubota,Jeff and the whole family.
He was a great friend and a great man. I’m going to miss my Hawaiian buddy!
Dear Ginny, We are so very sorry about Brian. He was a wonderful friend for many many years. We especially enjoyed our time visiting in Naples – especially our hunt for the best Key lime pie! Love you!
Brian was an extremely talented landscape architect and planner. His persistence in getting me to join the firm came when we were both teaching at KU—and we worked together until he left Landplan Engineering. His list of projects shows the value he brought to so many venues in Lawrence.
His sensitivity and creativity will be greatly missed.