Iconic San Antonio businesswoman and philanthropist Rosemary Kowalski died Tuesday at the age of 100.
One of Texas’ most successful entrepreneurs, Kowalski is best remembered for co-launching a small barbecue shack called Uncle Ben’s Diner in 1946. That diner near St. Mary’s University went on to evolve into Catering by Rosemary, which won its big break by securing the catering contract for HemisFair ’68.
Four years later, the company won the catering contract at the Henry B. González Convention Center — a contract it still holds today under its culinary conglomerate named The RK Group. Today, The RK Group employs more than 800 people and caters more than 3,000 events annually at the Henry B. González Convention Center.
In Kowalski’s lifetime of accolades, she once personally served meals and cocktails to several dignitaries including Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II.
Kowalski grew up on San Antonio’s South Side, first attending Blessed Sacrament Academy and later continuing her studies by training to become a comptometer operator. Several years later, she met her husband Hank, a WWII pilot whom she married in 1944.
Kowalski is one of a select few women who have been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, and she served on numerous nonprofit boards across the city.
She celebrated her 100th birthday on Sept. 27 and last week was named the 2025 grand marshal for the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Kowalski 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.
The best friend of former San Antonio Mayor Lila Cockrell, both women were awarded honorary doctorates by St. Mary’s University in 2017.
Kowalski passed away following a brief illness surrounded by her family, which includes daughter Mary Virginia and her husband John Carrington; son Greg William and wife Bekki; their son and Rosemary’s grandson Travis, and his 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 her husband, who died in 1980.
“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 her son Greg Kowalski, president and CEO of 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.”
Longtime family friend Pete Cortez, eldest son of the late Jorge Cortez who founded Mi Tierra Cafe y Panadería and who died just last month, said while he’s so thankful for the long life Kowalski had, this is a great loss for San Antonio and him personally.
“When my dad passed away I received over 1,000 messages, phone calls, emails,” Cortez told the San Antonio Report on Wednesday. “But I received so many yesterday also. I knew we were close, but I didn’t realize how much other people realized it too.”
Cortez said Kowalski was a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life legend. Kowalski always taught those around her the simplicity of “please” and “thank you” — a trait that her son and family have carried on for generations through The RK Group, he added.
“I can tell you one thing — the food and catering business in heaven just got a lot better over this last month,” Cortez said.
Jamie Kowalski said she is still processing the passing of her grandmother-in-law and best friend. There was so much to learn from her, Jamie Kowalski said, including how to work with different types of people.
“She was never the chef — she joked she would burn water,” Jamie Kowalski said with a laugh. “But she knew how to build relationships and maintain them.”
It was this particular skill that made Rosemary Kowalski particularly special, Jamie Kowalski said, both in the business world and as a confidant and friend.
The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, the University of the Incarnate Word, Incarnate Word High School, CHRISTUS Health and all of its ministries sent out a statement Tuesday offering sincere condolences to the family.
“Rosemary led a beautiful life of service to others, and she epitomized grace in that service for decades in both her professional and personal endeavors,” the statement read. “As an Incarnate Word High School alumna, Rosemary was a close friend and supporter to all our ministries, and we want to thank her for her decades of service and support. The Sisters are in prayer for Rosemary and the Kowalski family.”
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said Rosemary Kowalski’s generosity knew no bounds. Sakai added that whether it was through financial support, treating people with dignity and respect, or fostering partnerships, Kowalski was extremely knowledgeable and skilled. He noted her involvement with the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations and nonprofits.
“She touched the lives of many by providing support, mentorship, and guidance to those who needed it most,” he said. “With an unwavering passion for making the world a better place, she showed what it meant to use one’s success for the greater good.”
