SAINT PETER — Skip M. Yowell, 69, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at his home in Saint Peter. He was born in Hays, to Harold and Marjorie (Murray) Yowell. He spent his early years in Grainfield, moving to Great Bend at the age of 5. He started kindergarten at Park Elementary School and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1964.
Skip was an avid hiker and climber, sharing his passion for the outdoors with everyone who crossed his path. In 1967 he cofounded the backpack company JanSport. He strongly believed in the importance of promoting outdoor recreation and environmental responsibility to future generations and worked with many groups including: Boy Scouts of America, Big City Mountaineers and The Outdoor Industry Association.
His book, “The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder & Other Mountains,” shares details about his life and adventures.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Harold and Marjorie Yowell, and a brother Randy Yowell. Survivors include his wife Winnie Kingsbury of Saint Peter; daughter Quinn Yowell of Tampa, Fla.; stepdaughter Wesley Kingsbury of Hays; stepson Hunt Kingsbury of Northbrook, Ill.; grandchildren Drew, Madeline, Sabrina, Hunter and Parker; his brother Lindsey Yowell and his wife Lynn Yowell of Chelan, Wash.; his sister Diana Crouch and her husband Larry Crouch of Saint Peter; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Skip will be remembered by many names; Husband, Father, Friend, Legend, Founder, Mentor, Adventurer, Athlete, Teller of Tales, Gardener, and Philanthropist.
Join Skip’s family and friends in celebrating Skip’s life at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Prairie Junction in Morland. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Committee invite Skip’s family and friends to join in a celebration in honor of Skip from 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 12, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Cheyenne Bottoms in rural Great Bend. Memorial donations can be made to Big City Mountaineers, Boy Scouts of America or Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Cheyenne Bottoms.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Schmitt Funeral Home**
901 S. Main
Quinter, KS  67672-1922
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 20, 2015