06/16/2026
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend, volunteer, and community member, Eugene "Louie" Stumblingbear, who left us last Tuesday.
Louie was a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the great-grandson of Chief Stumblingbear. A longtime volunteer at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, he generously shared his time, knowledge, and kindness with everyone he met. The museum staff cherished Louie, and we know many of you did too. His warm smile, sense of humor, and dedication to serving others made a lasting impact on our community.
In 1996, Louie became part of Wichita history when he helped es**rt the Olympic torch along the Arkansas River during the Summer Olympics relay. While the other participants wore the official relay uniform, Louie was given the honor of wearing his traditional Kiowa regalia, proudly representing his people and Native culture on a national stage.
Louie loved his family, his culture, and his community. He gave freely of himself and took great pride in preserving Kiowa traditions and uplifting those around him. His presence touched countless lives, and he will be deeply missed.
We invite you to share your memories, stories, and photos of Louie in the comments below so that we can pass them along to his family as a reminder of just how many lives he touched and how deeply he was loved.
Please keep Louie's family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Thank you, Louie, for your friendship, your service, and the legacy you leave behind. You will never be forgotten. ❤️
