Rosemary Kowalksi
September 27, 1924 – December 10, 2024
Photography by David Teran
The RK Group, San Antonio, and the Kowalski family announced the passing of founder and Chairperson Emeritus, Rosemary (Hughes) Kowalski on December 10, 2024. Rosemary passed away following a brief illness surrounded by her family, which includes daughter Mary Virginia and husband John Carrington; son Greg William and wife Bekki; their son and Rosemary’s grandson Travis, and wife Jamie (children Colton and Tessa); and their daughter and Rosemary’s granddaughter Jennifer, with her husband Todd Heinz (children Wyatt and Hadley). Rosemary was predeceased by husband Henry “Hank” Kowalski, who died in 1980.
Born on September 27, 1924, to Virginia Mergele Hughes and William Hughes, Rosemary grew up on San Antonio’s southside, first attending Blessed Sacrament Academy and later continuing her studies by training to become a comptometer operator. Several years later, she met Hank, a WWII pilot whom she married in 1944. Post-war, the couple used Hank’s military mustering-out pay to purchase Uncle Ben’s BBQ in the city’s westside.
This was the start of what would ultimately become Rosemary’s and her family’s legacy hospitality business that now maintains a national and international presence with offices in multiple markets.
Rosemary’s contributions to the hospitality industry and her philanthropic service to countless community and nonprofit organizations has been vast, with her hands-on, “can-do” approach that characterized both her professional and her personal life. An inductee of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, she was also 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 among many other achievements.
“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,” stated Greg Kowalski, President and CEO, 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.”
