This week, the city of San Antonio lost a true icon when businesswoman Rosemary Kowalski passed away at 100. Kowalski, who famously told in stories that she never even liked cooking, founded her catering business, the RK Group, with no formal training in business. 

She grew The RK Group into a force in South Texas, catering and serving food at events of all sizes and to a litany of luminaries, including President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II and John Wayne. The impact that Kowalski made on the hospitality industry in San Antonio is immeasurable. 

Among the honors she achieved over the years include being inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004; named San Antonio Entrepreneur of the Year in 1988; honored by the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1985.

In 2003, Kowalski was awarded what she considered the highest honor in her lengthy career when she was named to Les Dames d’Escoffier. It serves as a lifetime achievement award and honorary title to a woman for her “extraordinary contributions in the fields of food, beverage and hospitality.” She joined the ranks of Julia Child and at the time only three other recipients.

In business, she touched countless lives – but her impact as a philanthropist will be perhaps her greatest legacy. Kowalski and The RK Group donated food to the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as to HEB’s Feast of Sharing, and numerous causes and events for Catholic Charities of San Antonio. 

“Rosemary’s legacy is the gift of joy and kindness that she gave to the world. She extended that generous spirit to anyone she met,” shared her son Greg Kowalski, President and CEO of the RK Group. “Our family has been blessed to have her in our lives for so many years. And we know that her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”

Over the years, Kowalski developed a strong relationship with the San Antonio Area Foundation (SAAFdn). This was a natural fit for Kowalski, who recognized the Area Foundation’s ability to help those most in need in San Antonio and Bexar County. Her ties to the Area Foundation started three decades ago when Kowalski wanted to celebrate a milestone by doing something that was typical “Rosemary.”

“The relationship [between the Foundation and Kowalski] started on her 70th birthday when someone suggested she open a charitable fund that people could contribute to,” explained Lisa Brunsvold, the Area Foundation’s Chief Development Officer. “Lots of people contributed and she had so much fun with that. She really enjoyed giving that money to causes that she cared about.”

Apparently, Kowalski was just getting started back then.

“I remember that she came into the office about a year ago and she wanted to know how much money was left in the fund and all of the gifts that had come from the fund,” Brunsvold recalled. “She was just tickled to know what a difference that she had made. Over 30 years, that really added up. She had such a giving spirit.” 

Her passion for her city and for giving back seemingly had no bounds. When she settled on a cause, she gave herself fully to it. She was seemingly inexhaustible in her desire to make sure whatever she was doing, whichever cause she was supporting, she gave it her complete focus and attention. 

Over the course of her long career, Kowalski volunteered and sat on multiple boards for numerous nonprofits, such as the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Zoo, Blessed Sacrament Academy, the American Diabetes Association and many others.

“As an ambassador of the San Antonio Museum of Art and countless other cultural organizations, Rosemary Kowalski was not only a powerful force in the local business world but also a guardian of the arts,” said Emily Neff, the Kelso Director at the San Antonio Museum of Art. “Her generosity and leadership will leave a lasting legacy that continues to inspire us all. San Antonio has lost a true treasure.”

Another trait Kowalski was known for was her ability to make sure everyone she met was treated with the utmost respect. She was always humble, caring and warm to virtually everyone she met. It’s a trait of hers that will never be overlooked or forgotten.

“No matter if you had known Rosemary for five minutes or 15 years, she always made you feel like you were the most important person in her arena at that time,” Brunsvold said. “She made everyone feel like they were a close friend, and I think she believed that. That’s how she lived her life. She always smiled and made people feel special.”

That’s why it should come as no surprise that her relationship with the Area Foundation was far from merely transactional. Staff and board members grew to respect and cherish her over the years.

As would be expected, Kowalski was a huge draw at the Area Foundation’s official 60th anniversary celebration event, held last month at the Witte Museum’s Mays Family Center. Opening the event, Area Foundation Board Chairman Alex Perez led the audience of more than 400 participants in singing Kowalski happy birthday.

When asked about where the interest philanthropy came from, Kowalski once said: “The driving force in my live is my Catholic Faith; it is where I draw my inner strength and resolute courage. I have a strong spirituality and concern for others.”

Truly one of a kind, Kowalski is survived by her son, Greg, who now runs the day-to-day operations at The RK Group, as well as her daughter, Mary Virginia. She also has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren carrying on the Kowalski legacy.

“Rosemary’s family has really inherited the same philanthropic heart for our community that Rosemary had,” Brunsvold explained. “I don’t see that stopping even though Rosemary is not on this earth with us. I think her legacy lives on with her family, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and even the people at her company. Rosemary’s legacy with the Area Foundation will live on.”

Indeed – her family is asking anyone wishing to honor her to contribute to the same charitable fund (The Rosemary Kowaslki Endowment Fund) at the Area Foundation, still going strong in helping various causes in our community for 30 years and counting.

Eric Moreno is a member of the San Antonio Area Foundation Marketing & Communications Storytelling Ambassador Network.