Iconic San Antonio businesswoman and philanthropist Rosemary Kowalski died Tuesday on the age of 100.
One among Texas’ most profitable entrepreneurs, Kowalski is finest remembered for co-launching a small barbecue shack referred to as Uncle Ben’s Diner in 1946. That diner close to St. Mary’s College went on to evolve into Catering by Rosemary, which received its large break by securing the catering contract for HemisFair ’68.
4 years later, the corporate received the catering contract on the Henry B. González Conference Middle — a contract it nonetheless holds immediately underneath its culinary conglomerate named The RK Group. Right now, The RK Group employs greater than 800 folks and caters greater than 3,000 occasions yearly on the Henry B. González Conference Middle.
In Kowalski’s lifetime of accolades, she as soon as personally served meals and cocktails to a number of dignitaries together with Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II.
Kowalski grew up on San Antonio’s South Facet, first attending Blessed Sacrament Academy and later persevering with her research by coaching to change into a comptometer operator. A number of years later, she met her husband Hank, a WWII pilot whom she married in 1944.
Kowalski is certainly one of a choose few girls who’ve been inducted into the Texas Enterprise Corridor of Fame, and she or he served on quite a few nonprofit boards throughout the town.
She celebrated her one centesimal birthday on Sept. 27 and final week was named the 2025 grand marshal for the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Kowalski was additionally a Grande Dame and founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, former Grand Marshal for the Battle of Flowers Parade, and first-ever recipient of the Visionary Award, Morgan’s amongst many different achievements.
The very best pal of former San Antonio Mayor Lila Cockrell, each girls had been awarded honorary doctorates by St. Mary’s College in 2017.
Kowalski handed away following a short sickness surrounded by her household, which incorporates daughter Mary Virginia and her husband John Carrington; son Greg William and spouse Bekki; their son and Rosemary’s grandson Travis, and his spouse Jamie (youngsters Colton and Tessa); and their daughter and Rosemary’s granddaughter Jennifer, along with her husband Todd Heinz (youngsters Wyatt and Hadley). Rosemary was predeceased by her husband, who died in 1980.
“Rosemary’s legacy is the reward of pleasure and kindness that she gave to the world. She prolonged that beneficiant spirit to anybody she met,” said her son Greg Kowalski, president and CEO of The RK Group. “Our household has been blessed to have her in our lives for thus a few years. And we all know that her legacy will reside on by way of her youngsters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
Longtime household pal Pete Cortez, eldest son of the late Jorge Cortez who based Mi Tierra Cafe y Panadería and who died simply final month, stated whereas he’s so grateful for the lengthy life Kowalski had, it is a nice loss for San Antonio and him personally.
“When my dad handed away I acquired over 1,000 messages, telephone calls, emails,” Cortez instructed the San Antonio Report on Wednesday. “However I acquired so many yesterday additionally. I knew we had been shut, however I didn’t notice how a lot different folks realized it too.”
Cortez stated Kowalski was a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life legend. Kowalski all the time taught these round her the simplicity of “please” and “thanks” — a trait that her son and household have carried on for generations by way of The RK Group, he added.
“I can let you know one factor — the meals and catering enterprise in heaven simply bought so much higher over this final month,” Cortez stated.
Jamie Kowalski stated she continues to be processing the passing of her grandmother-in-law and finest pal. There was a lot to be taught from her, Jamie Kowalski stated, together with how you can work with various kinds of folks.
“She was by no means the chef — she joked she would burn water,” Jamie Kowalski stated with fun. “However she knew how you can construct relationships and keep them.”
It was this explicit talent that made Rosemary Kowalski notably particular, Jamie Kowalski stated, each within the enterprise world and as a confidant and pal.
The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Phrase, the College of the Incarnate Phrase, Incarnate Phrase Excessive College, CHRISTUS Well being and all of its ministries despatched out a press release Tuesday providing honest condolences to the household.
“Rosemary led an exquisite lifetime of service to others, and she or he epitomized grace in that service for many years in each her skilled and private endeavors,” the assertion learn. “As an Incarnate Phrase Excessive College alumna, Rosemary was a detailed pal and supporter to all our ministries, and we wish to thank her for her a long time of service and assist. The Sisters are in prayer for Rosemary and the Kowalski household.”
Bexar County Decide Peter Sakai stated Rosemary Kowalski’s generosity knew no bounds. Sakai added that whether or not it was by way of monetary assist, treating folks with dignity and respect, or fostering partnerships, Kowalski was extraordinarily educated and expert. He famous her involvement with the San Antonio Girls’s Chamber of Commerce and different native organizations and nonprofits.
“She touched the lives of many by offering assist, mentorship, and steering to those that wanted it most,” he stated. “With an unwavering ardour for making the world a greater place, she confirmed what it meant to make use of one’s success for the higher good.”
