Paul Welsh, one of Kansas City’s leading advertising executives and one of the co-founders of the former NKH&W ad agency, died suddenly from a heart attack Sunday afternoon.
UPDATE: Visitation for Paul Welsh will be held Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. at Church of the Nativity (3800 West 119th St., Leawood). His funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Church with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in KCMO.
In all, he spent more than 40 years in a variety of executive positions involving advertising and promotional writing in the KC area.
He was also the author of the “St. Bernard Principle” where he discussed the importance of specialization in ad agencies.
He was the Advertising Club of Kansas City’s 2001 “Advertising Executive of the Year” and an award winning writer recognized in national and international award shows such as CLIO, New York Ad Club, New York Art Directors, One Show, Print Magazine, Communications Arts Annual, National Agri-Marketing Association, Outdoor Advertising Association, Magazine Publisher’s Association Objectives & Results;
For the past 4 1/2 years he operated “Welsh Writes,” an agency that provided promotional writing for all media (print, broadcast, outdoor, electronic including web and e-newsletters), collateral (brochures, direct mail, training) and sales letters.
Welsh began his career as a writer at Aetna Casualty and Surety and then worked at Kansas City Life, Brewer Y&R and Valentine Radford before founding NKH&W(elsh). During 13 years at NKH&W he helped take the agency from a start-up to one that employed 75 and one of the Top Five agencies in Kansas City.
He then founded the Welsh Group in 1994 and after 12 years became director of marketing at the Vance Group and then joined Zillner Marketing Services for two years before starting “Welsh Writes” in 2009.
During his career Welsh never hesitated to help others in the field and was a judge for the Ad Club along with a volunteer on numerous civic endeavors throughout Kansas City. He was a proud graduate of Rockhurst High School and the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism.
He also was very active at the Catholic Church of the Nativity in Leawood where he was a lector, Eucharistic Minister and founder of the Men of Nativity group.
He is survived by his wife Neicey, son Adam and daughter Brianna.
Unselfish to the end, he donated his organs to help others…
KIND AND GIFTED
This is very sad. I met Paul in 1992 when he was my mentor from the Ad Club scholarship program. He helped me get my first job and was a good mentor throughout my career. He was a very kind and gifted man. NKH&W was never the same without him.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE
Thank you for writing such a thoughtful update about Paul Welsh. I read it with shock and sadness. He was and always will be one of my all-time favorite people in the business.
SMILE AND KIND WORD
Such a kind and giving man, Paul always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. I always looked forward to seeing him around town. Gone much, much too soon.
GREAT MAN AND MENTOR
The ad community has lost another great man and mentor. Paul always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met and he will be greatly missed.
TRULY ONE-IN-A-MILLION
Paul Welsh was one of the finest, kindest, most generous people I’ve ever worked for. He was truly One-in-a-Million. My prayers are with his wife and children.
KIND AND GENTLE SOUL
I didn’t know Paul well. I had met with him over coffee to talk freelance a few years ago. What I saw was a very kind and gentle man who had a lot of life experience under his belt. His eyes conveyed the wisdom he had accumulated over the years being in the advertising industry. There will be a big hole were Paul once was. As many have expressed…gone way too soon.
Michael
ALWAYS THERE
Paul has always been there, representing the ad community with a warm smile and a gracious gesture. I am so very sorry to learn of this loss.
GREAT LOSS
A great loss for all of us who had the opportunity to know and work with Paul. He will be missed.
CHERISHED FRIEND
Paul was one of my most cherished friends…smart, creative, fun and honorable are just a few of the words that come to mind. I will never forget Paul!
Nip
ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY
This is sad and shocking. I only got to know Paul over the last 15 months as we crossed paths in the freelance/writing business. We worked along side each other several times last year at Grey Healthcare and had coffee on occasion. Found Paul to be kind, engaging and an all-around good guy.
BELOVED
A sad day indeed. Paul was so beloved by so many people. It was a privilege to have known him and worked with him for so many years. He was a kind, gentle soul who will be sorely missed.
TRAGIC LOSS
What a tragic loss for his family and the community at large. Such a wonderful person to work with and know as a friend. My heartfelt prayers to his family.
GENUINELY NICE PERSON
One of most genuinely nice people I have met. Paul helped build the culture that was NKH&W. So sorry to learn of his passing.
A CARING SPIRIT
Paul also mentored me as a KC Ad Club scholarship recipient back in 1990 or so, and we stayed in touch over the years and the miles. What a warm, gentle, creative and caring spirit. RIP, old friend. You will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to Paul’s family.
A QUIET POSITVE SPIRIT
Paul will be missed
Paul was such a tremendous person. He was a quiet positive spirit.
So easy to work with.
What a shock this is.
THANKS…
Thank you for writing such a thoughtful, glowing article on Paul Welsh. He deserved the kind words and recognition. We shall miss him.
WONDERFUL NOTE FROM PAUL’S SON
Because my father was a writer, I feel it only appropriate to share something he wrote to me in 1997 at my Kairos retreat. To all my brothers and sisters out there, remember to “Live the Forth” because my father did every day of his life.
9/26/1997
Dear Adam,
I don’t know if you ever thought about it, but all your Welsh cousins are girls. I guess your uncles Keith and John couldn’t come up with any “y” chromosomes when it really counted. At any rate, you’re the last male Welsh in the line at this point, and we couldn’t be represented by anyone better.
As I was thinking about this letter I had kind of a weird thought (I doubt that comes as a surprise to you). I thought, what if you could choose one other male, and only one, to be a life partner, who would it be? Would I choose one of my brothers? One of my lifelong friends? One of my buddies from church who I respect so much? Those would all be good choices, but I decided that my one person would be you.
You see, I know that whatever challenges we faced, together we could handle them. IF we were robbing a bank I’d have every confidence that you could handle the getaway car. IF we saw someone in an emergency situation, I know we would pitch in and help. IF someone was troubled, I know that together we would provide comfort, advice or whatever it would take to make them feel better or get them out of their jam. I just have so much faith in you. And, there is nobody on earth that I love more than you.
I’m full of pride as I see you mature. I’m sad when you’re sad. I’m happy when you’re happy. I feel successful when you’re successful. And, I take your defeats as hard as you take them.
You’re tough like guys are supposed to be. But you’re also gentle. Like all of us, you’d rather play than work; but when you work, you’re the best. I recognize that, admire that, and appreciate that.
Since Kairos means “the Lord’s time” I would like to share my faith wish for you. It took me 40 or 50 years to really be confirmed in my faith and I pray that you will find a true relationship with Christ much quicker. My personal goal, and one I also wish for you, is that I can be as committed to Christ as Paul was in the third chapter of Phillipians. There he said, “But those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ.”
Paul wrote that letter while he was in prison. I can just imagine how bad the prisons must have been in those days. Yet, he said, “I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ can be my wealth.”
God bless you, Adam. I love you! Have a good retreat.
Love, Dad.
Adam, thank you for sharing your father’s words. As you can see from all the comments, he was a very special individual and affected many people’s lives. It was an honor to call him my friend, and it was obvious he cherished you as a son. What a wonderful letter from a loving father.
THANKS ADAM
Thanks for sharing that, Adam. If I close my eyes I can hear your father saying that. What I always admired the most about him was his good natured candor. With him gone there’s a void in my life that will be difficult to fill.
PEACE AND LOVE
So shocked to hear this. Paul was such a great neighbor, babysitting client, mentor, writer & friend. Peace and love to the Welsh family.
COULD TRUST PAUL
What a terrible loss. Paul was a person you could always rely on and trust. He will be greatly missed.
CARING
Caring Person
WILL MISS HIM A LOT
My condolences to Paul’s family.
I do not believe that Paul ever met a stranger. We met at a Catholic Business meeting where we talked about writing a book. He had just published his book. He met me at Pannera’s and gave me advice and encouragement on finishing my book. He also gave me a signed copy of his book.
Paul gave a lot of time to various Catholic events and in some cases he had helped get them started. Each time that I would see him at one of the events he always had a smile and some time to stop and talk, even when there was no time. I will miss him a lot.
KIND, SMART, TALENTED
I met Paul when he very nearly hired me for a job. He was a kind, smart, talented guy. I’m sorry the job didn’t work out, as I could have learned so much from him on a professional and personal level. My condolences to those who knew him well and loved him.
MADE A DIFFERENCE
What a wonderful man, that Paul Welsh. He was the greatest mentor and truly made a difference in every life he touched. He had a way of seeing things so clearly and cutting to the heart of an issue in his unique calm and caring way — just a nudge, never a push. I will miss him.
DEVOTED CATHOLIC
Paul was a wonderful friend and father and was a true inspiration to me as a devoted Catholic.
He will missed by all.
ALWAYS THERE FOR FRIENDS
Paul was always so generous to me. When I was teaching Advertising and the Client at Rockhurst University, Paul would do the lecture on “the creative” side of the business. It seems like everyone I speak to about Paul tells me the same story: how much he helped them with a job, or building a webiste or helping with a project that they were involved with. He was always there for his friends and always so generously. We will all miss him so very much.
DEAR, DEAR MAN
What a dear dear man! Generous, kind, smart, talented and caring. Paul will be missed! I celebrate his next adventure.
GENTLE GIANT
Paul was one of the gentle giants in the industry, and was loved and respected by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing or working with him. He will be sorely missed.
GREATLY MISSED
Paul has been my mentor for 13 years. I’ve never made a career decision without him. He was always full of good advice and great stories. From our neighboring hometowns and Alma mater to our Catholic faith and passion for writing, we always had a lot to chat about. He also loved to talk about his family and always spoke so fondly of his wife, Neicey and was very proud of Adam and Brianna. My thoughts and prayers go out to them. He will be greatly missed.
WILL CHERISH HIS WORDS
every time i would run in to paul it would remind me of why i chose this profession. he was so kind to me when i first arrived in kansas city and continued to be an inspiration when i needed it most. i will forever cherish his words and motivation.
HEART ACHES
My heart aches with the news of Paul’s passing. I remember so, so many days when he would walk through the door at Vance with just the biggest smile on his face. His smile and humor was contagious. He was a wonderful man and will live forever so in God’s glory!
KIND HEART
Paul will be greatly missed from all those that walked through the doors of NK&HW!
PAUL IS SMILING
Paul is smiling as he is remembered and also is praying for us sinners. I’m sure his prayer is simply to know Christ as he did so that when our time comes, we might be so lucky to join him and Him in heaven.
AN INSPIRING PROFESSIONAL
My heart aches, too, at the loss of my good friend and mentor. Paul and I had many opportunities to work together over the years, and I relished every moment of those thoughtful, creative exchanges. We shared a love for ad writing, sales, Mizzou Tigers and politics. Paul was an inspiring professional mentor not just for me, but for many in our industry. I was most impressed, though, by his love of family and his faith. He was a true man of integrity and a sweet and gentle soul. We should all try to emulate Paul in our lives!
A MAN OF HONOR
All who knew Paul are better for it. A true gentleman. Quick with a smile and handshake. Always eager to help a young person in the industry. A writer’s writer — and a wonderful St. Bernard. (Read the book if you haven’t already done so.)
LOST A LIGHT…
On June 9, the world lost one of the lights that guided people on their paths. Paul was exceptional as a husband, father, family member,faithful parishioner, humanitarian and all-around community contributor. I was so shocked and saddened as I had just seen him on May 20 at a networking event. Niece, I only met you once at Nativity but you and your family have my deepest sympathy and condolences. I am a Eucharistic Minister and that’s how I initially met Paul. He was a pure joy and bright light. He will be deeply missed. You and your will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Peace,
Susan Schmidt
Nativity parishoner
WORLD HAS LOST KIND-HEARTED MAN
I am so sad and shocked to hear this… I sat by Paul when I was an intern at the agency where he was freelancing. When he found out I had been hired as a full time writer, he congratulated me and told me a little about his life and how fortunate I was to have been hired. I was so looking forward to working with him again if/when he came back to freelance… I knew there would be so much to learn from him, about writing and about life. I can only say I wish I had known him better. The world has lost an exceptionally kind-hearted man.
COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON PAUL
Yesterday while at a casual function I learned about the terrifically sad loss of my dear mentor, Paul Welsh. When I heard this, I was stunned as it was typical that Paul and I would see each other in passing all the time around town. I just wanted to add to all of the words said about Paul that he is deeply going to be missed. He was one of those that you could always count on to be kind. To be encouraging. To bless others. To stand for what’s right. To give unconditionally. To add words of grace to any situation. I will deeply miss you my dear, sweet friend. To Paul’s beloved family, my most sincere prayers for comfort and grace are with you. He was loved.
On June 9 Paul will have been gone one year. He was a dear friend and I miss him every day. Thanks for summarizing his life so beautifully.