Jan 27, 2008

A Tribute to Betty Hanicke On Her 83rd Birthday

Betty Hanicke, a major conservative political leader in Kansas, and the "Godmother of Johnson County Republican Politics," celebrates her 83rd birthday today.  A stroke in 2001 has limited Betty's political involvement in recent years. 

Until her stroke in 2001, Betty Hanicke was a major conservative political leader in Kansas (and some would say, the Midwest).  She was a generous supporter with her time, ideas, advice, and contributions to conservative causes and candidates.  

I have been an FOB -- Friend of Betty -- since about 1996 and share the following with friends who may want to know more about the pioneers and founders of the conservative movement in Kansas.  I hope you'll find this of interest as I salute Betty Hanicke on her 83rd birthday for her many contributions. 

For decades Betty and her husband Erich helped many people with a variety of medical problems through their business, P. W. Hanicke Manufacturing.  The Hanickes were a custom manufacturer of prosthetic, orthopedic and surgical appliances.  The Hanickes transformed the lives of many people such as Donna Lancaster, who wrote a book, The Short and Tall of It (Amazon link).  Lancaster tells about how the custom-made prosthetic legs created by Erich Hanicke changed her life. 

See part of Chapter Six in the Google Book Review
about Erich and Betty Hanicke

A 1994 Star article gave some details about the business:

Maker of prosthetics to close:  
Hanickes cite an increasing burden of rules, paperwork
Kansas City Star, Oct 8, 1994

In the nearly 50 years they have been in business together, Erich and Betty Hanicke have seen the landscape of Downtown Kansas City change several times over. The Hanickes, who own P.W. Hanicke Manufacturing Co. at 1009 McGee St., watched Downtown business and social activity boom in the late 1940s and 1950s, nearly die in the 1970s and revive somewhat in the 1990s.

They have noted the businesses that have come and gone, such as the Macy's and Dillard department stores. And they lamented the demise of the Muehlebach Hotel, whose refurbishing they think could play a big part in the rejuvenation of Downtown.

P.W. Hanicke Manufacturing, a custom prosthetic, orthopedic and surgical appliances maker, has called Downtown home since its founding in 1915 by Erich Hanicke's uncle, P.W. Hanicke.

"It has been a wonderful business," Betty Hanicke said. "Our patients have been like family. " But the rules and regulations brought on by changes in health care and medical insurance over the years and the accompanying paperwork became too much of a burden, the Hanickes say.

... Erich Hanicke is a certified orthotist and prosthetist, and Betty Hanicke is a certified orthotist. Both are active in national organizations in their fields. Betty Hanicke also is active in politics and is the Kansas 3rd Congressional District GOP chairwoman.

Erich and Betty were thespians for their cause in the 1950s:

A life-long Republican, Betty originally was mostly involved in Missouri and Kansas City politics.  After moving to Kansas she became active in Kansas Republican politics.

Over the last six decades, Betty has been involved with many conservative groups, both as a volunteer and a sponsor.  One of those groups in the 1990s was the Zenith Boosters Club, which brought some big names in national conservative politics to Kansas City to speak, such as Anne Coulter, Larry Klayman from Judicial Watch, Barbara Olson (who died in the 911 attack on the Pentagon), and Matt Drudge from the DrudgeReport. 

Some of Betty's other notable activities included:  

• Guardian of  SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise and member of SIFE Board of Directors

• Member of the Council for National Policy 

• Appointed by President Regan in 1984 to Architectural and Transportation Compliance Board

• Presidential elector in 1996 voting for Bob Dole and Jack Kemp

Betty voted for Bob Dole in 1996 as a presidential elector, but did she vote for Bob Dole at the 1976 Republican Convention?

Betty's conservative Republican leadership goes all the way back to 1964, when she was named the president of Republican Club for Business and Professional Women of Greater Kansas City:

Years ago Betty met and became friends with many national conservative leaders, such as Phyllis Schlafy of the Eagle Forum.  Betty has even been described as the "Phyllis Schafly of Kansas".  Phyllis and Betty picketed the White House together during the Carter years.  

Once they visited the KU campus together, when Phyllis was invited to give a speech to a student group.  The "open minded" liberals at KU were hardly tolerant of Phyllis' conservative views.  Phyllis and Betty were shielded from protesters by KU security and were escorted to the highway by KU security to ensure their safety on their departure from Lawrence.

One of Betty's few trips to a political event since her stroke was in January 2003 when her good friend Phyllis talked at the local Sunflower Republican Women's group (now the Sunflower Republican Club).  Betty thoroughly enjoyed the few minutes of private conversation with Phyllis before the meeting.  

Betty stays quite busy every day even though her activities are limited by her stroke.  Betty was right-handed and was paralyzed on her right side after her stroke.  But not to be held back, Betty can still click a mouse with her left hand and spends much of her day reading and forwarding E-mails.  On a typical day Betty receives about 70 E-mails, and keeps up-to-date via various web sites, such as lucianne.com and the DrudgeReport. 

While she's monitoring the Fox News Channel all day long, Betty is quite active with a variety of other computer activities:

You can visit Betty and discuss decades of Kansas politics at Villa St. Joseph in Overland Park.  Once you enter the building, turn right (of course), and proceed down the hall until you hear the Fox News Channel.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Betty!  Thank you for all your words of wisdom, your generosity and your hard work for conservative causes.

K a n s a s M e a d o w l a r k @ g m a i l . c o m