He was a relentlessly moral, honest, upright and kind man. However, he knew that his morality could not satisfy God’s holy standards. So, he cherished God’s forgiveness and the righteousness of Christ, which, by grace, through faith, has now delivered him into his heavenly home.
Dad was born on September 3, 1922, and named after his father Paul C. Constant, Sr. who preceded him in death as did his mother, Josephine R. Constant, his sister Catherine R. Constant, and a grandchild, Delaney. At his passing, he was only 71 days from being married to his wife, Catherine, for 70 years. He met Catherine Ann Berry at Community Christian Church in Kansas City in 1948, and they were married in Slater, Missouri, her hometown, on September 3, 1949. From that day forward, he was a faithful, devoted, hardworking and loving husband.
Dad & Mom have four children, Paul, Robert, Deanna and John, who are married to Jan, Joyce, Jim Farris & Patti, respectfully, all living. His care for, and faithfulness to his family was always over-the-top. He was a deeply devoted family man. In all, Dad & Mom have 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren who adored their Grandpa (Great Grandpa).
Dad earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Minnesota and a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Kansas City. After college, he served in the US Army Signal Corps during WWII. He was in the South Pacific Theatre from 1943-1946. He received an honorable discharge at the rank of First Lieutenant. He later served in the Reserves. He was a devoted and outspoken patriot.
He began his career at Midwest Research Institute in 1948 . . . and never left. His career as an engineer and scientific researcher spanned six decades at MRI. He retired for the final time in 2009. That is . . . one company for 61 years! Beginning as a Junior Engineer he held many research and management positions. The list of his accomplishments is long. It includes managing the Proposal Process for a successful long-term, multibillion-dollar management contract, as well as top-secret research projects. He mentored many MRI scientists in his later years. For his final 10 years he served as Assistant to the President and CEO. MRI named a conference room in his honor for his years of devoted, energetic and problem-solving service. He was indeed an MRI icon.
As a young man, he taught mathematics part-time at the University of Minnesota, UMKC, KU and KC Metropolitan Junior College. He was the author of over fifty technical publications, one patent and four books, as well as recently completing an autobiography at the request of his children. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of numerous professional associations. His hobbies included weightlifting, calisthenics, wood working, and running. He won dozens of medals for track and field victories and even competed in the Corporate Olympics at age 86.
Visitation & Service at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 95th & Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri at 10:00am and 11:00am, Monday July 1, 2019. Burial following at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 105th & Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warriors.
