Photograph, Helen Foresman, undated [circa 1906]
Letter, Kenneth Spencer to his mother, October 18, 1920
Kenneth and Helen met as high school students in Pittsburg, Kansas. Several articles about Kenneth describe how they first crossed paths; the stories are similar, although they differ on some of the specific details. For example, according to a June 1960 article in KU’s Alumni Magazine, "Kenneth remembered how the Pittsburg high girls always showed up to watch [football practice]. At one practice session which was especially rough there was a new freshman girl watching. The new girl’s name was Helen Foresman, and she didn’t seem to mind at all that following practice Kenneth’s face was dirty and scratched, his jersey spattered and torn from the rough and tumble practice. Kenneth rode home from the practice in Helen Foresman’s motor car. Before Kenneth got out of the car he had arranged a date with the vivacious, auburn-haired Helen." Kenneth and Helen continued dating even after he left Pittsburg for the University of Kansas. In the letter shown here, written one month into his freshman year at KU, Kenneth describes one of Helen’s visits to Lawrence. The pair spent some time in Kansas City and enjoyed a party, a “picture show,” and meals out.
Kenneth Spencer to his parents, January 25, 1923
Kenneth’s adoration of and devotion to his parents is evident in many of the letters he wrote to them over the course of his adult life. For example, in another January 1923 letter, Kenneth told his parents: "When I do think of the past I am reminded how unusually fortunate I have been, to be of such parentage is the first advantage you gave me…and to have spent that vigorous young life in a family so harmonious, so honorably upright and good, is a thing that goes to inlay qualities that are not taught anywhere else." When Kenneth wrote the letter shown here, he had completed two years at the University of Kansas and was enrolled at Cornell University – attending classes for one semester before returning to KU. In explaining the Cornell entrance exams to his parents, Kenneth expressed his opinion that the higher requirements for non-New Yorkers were “another attempt to keep the savage westerner down.” This comment hints at Kenneth’s pride in the Midwest, a sentiment that guided much of his business career as well as his and Helen’s philanthropic efforts.
Beta Theta Pi fiftieth anniversary celebration, University of Kansas, February 22-24, 1923
Kenneth’s membership in the Alpha Nu chapter of Beta Theta Pi was a significant aspect of his time at KU. His freshman roommate was senior and fraternity brother Deane W. Malott, who later served as the Chancellor of KU (1939-1951). Years later, Kenneth counted himself among Malott’s “old friends who know him best.” As a senior, Kenneth served as chapter president. The fraternity remained important to Kenneth throughout the rest of his life. A remembrance of him in The 1960 Alpha Nu noted that: Only two months earlier Mr. Spencer had been named Kansas City’s “Beta of the Year.” His devotion to Alpha Nu throughout the years is shown by his efforts in organizing the recent reunion of the 1924-28 classes here at the chapter house… In 1954, his $50,000 gift enabled Alpha Nu to landscape its property, construct the circle drive, renovate the porch, and build the patio. As mentioned in the Treasurer’s report, the recent acquisition of the adjacent property to the north was largely possible through his cooperation. Undoubtedly few other Alpha Nu Betas have shown as much love for the chapter.
High school scrapbook, School-Fellow Days: A Record Book, belonging to Kenneth Spencer, undated [circa 1916-1920]
Kenneth S. Spencer with toy (description on the back: "the beginning of an engineer")
As shown in this photograph – with “the beginnings of an engineer” written on the back – Kenneth showed an early mechanical aptitude. According to one article, as a youth he "built a model steam shovel to scale and operated it with an electric motor. The Christmas he first heard of yule logs he took it on himself and his pony to get a huge log into the house and into the fireplace. It was an operation of building inclines and using jacks along with the pony’s pulling power. While he was solving the problem of getting the log into the fireplace the pony foraged in the sunroom on his mother’s plants, which was an unfortunate ending."
Photograph, Kenneth Spencer in his football uniform, undated [circa 1916-1920]
Kenneth’s lifelong love of sports began during his childhood. As a student at Pittsburg Normal High School (1916-1920), he excelled at football, basketball, and track. According to various biographical articles about Kenneth, a displaced vertebrae caused by a high school football injury ended his plan to play in college. Nonetheless, at KU Kenneth became a fan of the university’s football team. He also took up boxing – suffering two broken noses – and was a two-time heavyweight champion.
Newspaper article, “Spencer-Foresman” wedding announcement, Pittsburg Daily Headlight, January 7, 1927
Pittsburg Daily Headlight, January 7, 1927
Photograph, Kenneth and Helen around the time they got married, undated [circa 1920s]
Place card for Kenneth’s seat at Helen’s eighteenth birthday party, November [1919 or 1920]