Kathryn "Kathy" Wonderlic Kolbe, whose unwavering belief in human potential transformed countless lives, passed away peacefully on May 5th, 2025 at the age of 85. 

Kathy was born on December 5, 1939, in Evanston, Illinois. Despite facing significant learning challenges in her youth, Kathy showed remarkable determination and went on to become a gifted student. But she was always most energized by her activities outside the classroom. She loved co-writing and directing the student musical at New Trier High School. 

At Northwestern University she threw herself into student government and was elected both Student Body Vice President and May Queen. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern with high honors in 1961 and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Medill School of Journalism’s Hall of Achievement. 

Kathy's father created the widely used Wonderlic Personnel Test, and while working alongside him, Kathy made a crucial observation that would define her life's work: cognitive assessments alone couldn't predict success. This insight inspired her pioneering research into conation — our instinctive ways of taking action.

Kathy briefly worked as a journalist and then an aide to the Governor of Illinois before moving to Arizona with her first husband, John, and taking time out to raise her two young children.  

Kathy's career took a transformative turn after she moved with her young family to Phoenix. In 1975, she founded Resources for the Gifted, dedicated to helping students of all abilities develop critical thinking skills. This evolved into Kolbe Corp, where she developed the revolutionary Kolbe A™ Index that has helped millions understand and leverage their natural strengths. Her influential books include The Conative Connection, Pure Instinct, Powered by Instinct, and Business is Business. 

Known for her infectious enthusiasm and genuine kindness, Kathy's work earned numerous accolades. She was profiled in Time Magazine's 1985 "Man of the Year" issue, named by the White House as one of “America's Can-Do People," and honored with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award. 

After leading Kolbe Corp as CEO for 30 years, Kathy successfully transitioned leadership to two of her children. In her later years, she devoted herself to helping young people discover their innate strengths, working tirelessly to help them flourish and to prevent youth suicide.  

Kathy was a loving wife to Will Rapp, mother to two children and three stepchildren, and grandmother to nine. Kathy embodied what she considered true success: "having the freedom to be yourself."  

Through her warmth, wisdom, and pioneering spirit, she helped countless others find that same freedom. The Kolbe family will be holding private services, and Kathy's public legacy will be honored in October at Kolbe Corp's 50th Anniversary celebration.

We invite you to share a message of remembrance, reflection, or gratitude. These tributes will be shared with Kathy’s family and the broader community she helped build.

In lieu of flowers you can make a tax-deductible contribution in Kathy’s name to Mountain Park Health Care, www.mountainparkhealth.org/donate or Spaces of Opportunity, www.spacesofopportunity.org.