Allaire Thomas Homburg was born on November 7th, 1944, in a rock house a half a mile north of St. John’s Lutheran Church and passed March 16th, 2022 at Sheridan County Medical Center. His father August was the first child born in this rock house and Allaire was the last. He was baptized December 3rd, 1944, in St. John’s Lutheran church in Ellis, KS. He was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis, KS on May 25th, 1958.
He graduated from Ellis High School in 1962 and attended Bethany College from 1962-64. He then attended Fort Hays State University from 1964-1967 where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. He met the love of his life, Arla Kay (Michaelis), when she auditioned for church organist at Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was choir director. They were married August 19th, 1967, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The love of music remained constant throughout their 54 years of marriage.
Allaire worked in education, mentoring future educators and administrators for a majority of his career. Allaire was the music teacher at Natoma High School from 1967-71. In 1971, Allaire and Arla had their first son, Aaron Trent. After teaching in Natoma, Allaire served as Graduate Assistant under Bill Robinson at Fort Hays State University. He received his master’s degree in educational administration from FHSU. Allaire then served as the High School Principal in Quinter, KS from 1972-77. At that time, he was the youngest principal in the state of Kansas. In 1974, they welcomed their second son, Andrew Heath. From 1977-87, Allaire managed the Wallace County Farm Bureau Insurance Agency. Allaire and Arla commuted to teach music and the Sunflower Singers at Colby Community College in 1987-88. After CCC, he served as the Weskan K-12 Principal and Superintendent from 1988-94.
In 1994, Allaire and Arla moved back to Quinter where he served as the Superintendent until he retired in 2009. They then moved to Stockton where he was the Superintendent until 2016. Allaire served as the Interim Superintendent in both Cheylin/Bird City and Osborne KS. Allaire and Arla served as music teachers in Cheylin/Bird City and were presently serving in Smith Center.
Throughout his career, Allaire received many accolades and was part of many professional organizations. He was especially proud of being on the board of directors for the Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA) and serving on the KSHSAA Hall of Fame selection committee. ⁰⁹. He also served at many churches, for school boards, and acted in community theatre.
Allaire’s life was defined by his family, his faith, and his music. He was a supporter of every kid, of every program, in every district he served. He loved to hunt, cheer for his Denver Broncos (and occasionally the Chiefs) and watch Jeopardy in the afternoons. He read voraciously, especially current events and western novels. He loved horses, raising them for a time and collected lots of memorabilia. He loved attending all of his children and grandchildren’s activities and enjoyed traveling the Midwest to watch his Labrador retrievers compete in AKC field trials. He loved singing with his brothers, sons, and grandchildren at their churches whenever it was possible. He was an excellent storyteller, and never knew a stranger.
Allaire was preceded in death by his father August, mother Elsie, and siblings Harold, Betty, Art, August, and Al; sisters-in-law Bert, Billy, and Edna. He is survived by his wife Arla, his son Aaron and wife Nichol (Dreiling), their children KaiLee (Connor Medlen), August, Joseph (Peyton Brown), and Terran, one great-grandchild Emma, and two great grandchildren expected later this year; his son Andrew and wife Tara (Higgins), and their children Brogan, Rowen, and Rylin; and a step-sister Kay (Peter Enna); a mother-in-law Frances (Wiedeman) Michaelis; a brother-in-law Tye Michaelis wife Lisa (Broughton); sisters-in-law Marilyn (Gallatin) and Cindy (Kocher); and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, March 21, 2022, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney with Rev. Mark Willis officiating.
Memorials can be made in care of the Allaire T. Homburg Scholarship Fund for Aspiring Educators, to help future teachers in the communities they so loved and served. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St. WaKeeney, Kansas, 67672.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com