David Allen Proffitt

David Allen Proffitt 1944-2026

David Allen Proffitt was a veteran and trusted Kansas City banker, but his most treasured role was husband, father, and grandfather.

He was born on Easter Day, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Dorothy and Ed Proffitt and grew up in Roeland Park, Kansas, where he was graduated from St. Agnes and Bishop Miege High School and maintained many lifelong friendships in the Kansas City area.

But it was in college at Washburn University that Dave met Kitt, his wife of 59 years – he was the houseboy at her sorority when he first asked her to dance, and from that point on, they built a life, family and memories together.

He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and graduated with a business degree in June 1966, the week an F5 tornado tore through Topeka and the Washburn campus. Dave and Kitt were proud Ichabods and enjoyed revisiting those years when one of their daughters decided to go there, too. 

He later earned an MBA from Central Missouri State University.

Dave was a Navy lieutenant and served as an air intelligence officer in Vietnam, after which he returned home to Kansas City, where he had a 50-year career in banking and retired from UMB as Senior Vice President for Commercial Lending.

Dave and Kitt lived in Fairway for more than 50 years, where they raised three daughters and several beloved pets.

He was known for his multiple daily walks on State Park Road with basset hounds Gracie Jane and Sophie and was probably wearing his favorite khakis and a golf shirt. You could find him every year at the annual Shawnee Indian Mission and Fairway Fun festivals, regularly chatting up neighbors and cheering for his granddaughters in the cake walk.

He coached girls’ softball and soccer and was a longtime swim parent for the Fairway Swim Team and the Kansas City Jets, including 5 a.m. practices and weekend-long meets. He supported the girls in Blue Birds and Girl Scouts, dance lessons, volleyball and basketball, and he was the ever-ready ride to school activities, games, friends' houses, or wherever they needed to go.

Dave loved weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks, hiking in Colorado, the quaint towns and beaches of the East Coast, especially visits to family in the Carolinas, and a memorable trip to Portugal with Kitt's painting group.

He was a master of minimalist packing and an avid reader. He loved history, popcorn, jellybeans, donuts, pickled sausages, and appreciated a good headlamp!

He wasn't known for his singing voice, aside from a notable karaoke performance, but enjoyed the music of others, especially banjo and mountain folk tunes. He had a nose for news but could be talked into a Hallmark mystery, classic sit-coms, even three hours of "Sound of Music."

Dave was a hard worker, stoic, and reliable - he just got things done, without a lot of fuss, like his Minnesotan family before him.

If there was a project to be done, he did it himself, even if that meant creative improvisation and tool-making. He expanded their home to include a library, family room, and detached garage with a custom art studio he built for Kitt.

In fact, he still had the Boy Scout hammer he used when he first learned carpentry, the initials “DP” carved into the wood handle.

After retirement, Dave was involved with genealogy groups, including the Sons of the American Revolution, where he met new friends and enjoyed a robust breakfast or two. He cheered for the hometown teams; appreciated all the things Kansas City living had to offer; and was always the sightseeing chauffeur when people came to town.

He followed the lives of his grandchildren and loved when family came to visit, and they came often, especially this past year. What a gift to be able to punctuate a life well lived with gatherings to celebrate his place in our hearts and history.

Dave died Jan. 31, 2026, at Kansas City Hospice House, surrounded by family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Tony.

Dave is survived by his wife Kathryn (Kitt); three daughters, Juliana, Jennifer, and Lindsey; three grandsons, Weston, Merritt and Murphy; five granddaughters, Annabelle (Josh), Meghan, Sophia (Justin), Halle, and Isabella; son-in-law Scott, who shared a birthday; and special thanks to son-in-law Kevin for all his help in the past year.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roeland Park, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00am. Private burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa.

Memorial donations may be designated to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. The family wishes to thank staff and volunteers for their excellent and compassionate care.

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