Richard Gerding Dies at 78; a Richmond Heights Fire Department Retiree

He is being remembered as a family man and U.S. Navy veteran who traveled to all seven continents.

Richard Gerding Dies at 78; a Richmond Heights Fire Department Retiree

He is being remembered as a family man and U.S. Navy veteran who traveled to all seven continents.

Richard H. Gerding died Sunday at age 78. He was a longtime employee of the Richmond Heights Fire Department, having served as an administrative assistant to fire chiefs Pat O’Neal, C. Larry Drexler and Kerry Hogan. Patch wishes to thank Mr. Gerding's family for sharing the following life story.  Life Born in St. Louis, MO on April 10, 1934, and asleep in Jesus on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Mr. Gerding married the late Yasuko Doi in Tokyo, Japan.  They were married for 52 years.  Dear father of Edward (Linda) Gerding and Deborah (Michael) Sykuta; dear grandfather of Ashton and Callie Gerding, and Alyssa, Grant, and Jacob Sykuta.  Mr. Gerding was a graduate of Saint Louis University.  He then served in the U.S. Navy for four years.  Mr. …

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Sandy McDonnell: Family Man, Character-Education Pioneer

Friends of the former McDonnell Douglas chief executive spoke last week about what his life means to them. McDonnell, who lived in Clayton, died March 19.

Former Clayton resident Sandy McDonnell took his experiences developing core ethical values at aircraft company McDonnell Douglas Corp. and used them to transform schools in the St. Louis area. But above everything, he treasured his family. McDonnell died of pancreatic cancer March 19 at the age of 89. He served as chief executive at McDonnell Douglas, later retired and founded several organizations including CHARACTERplus, a St. Louis group dedicated to improving the ethical culture at schools. "He was just such a nice man," said Liz Gibbons, who serves as director of the organization. She worked with McDonnell for nine years and said he treated everyone with the same level of respect, whether the person worked as a janitor or as a chief …

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'We've Lost a Giant': Clayton's Sandy McDonnell Remembered

The former leader of McDonnell Douglas Corp. is being honored on social media following his death last week.

Clayton resident Sandy McDonnell, the former leader of aircraft company McDonnell Douglas Corp., is being remembered by people on social media. McDonnell died Monday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Here's what some people have been saying on Twitter: @Boeing: "We mourn the passing of former McDonnell Douglas CEO Sandy McDonnell" @PeterKinder: "We've lost a giant in Sandy #McDonnell. This true gentleman & his family brought worldwide fame & distinction to #STL & #MO." @jfmueller: "Honored to have worked with and known him" @SentinelChicken: "Gone west…" @lopinot: "Solid UMSL supporter. Will be missed." @kbakerIEE: "'Do good things.' -Sanford N. (Sandy) McDonnell, 1922-2012. #character" @rgwahby: "Champion of Character Education. True…

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Clayton's Sandy McDonnell Has Died

He once led McDonnell Douglas Corp., the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Clayton resident Sandy McDonnell has died at age 89, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The former leader of McDonnell Douglas Corp. began working at the company in 1948, the paper reported. Quoting from the Post-Dispatch profile: "Sanford Noyes McDonnell, a Boy Scout who grew up to head one of the nation's biggest aerospace companies, died Monday (March 19, 2012) at his home in Clayton." Read about McDonnell's journey to the top at McDonnell and his family life, and learn more about arrangements in the complete Post-Dispatch article.

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Greatest Person of the Day

Retired Clayton Engineer Volunteers for Symphony, Plays Piano

Milton Hieken lives in the city's Wydown Forest neighborhood and recently received recognition as an Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisan by St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors System.

Clayton resident Milton Hieken spends his post-engineer days giving back to cultural and charitable organizations throughout St. Louis. He says the reason is simple: he wants future generations to have the same opportunities he did. "When you retire, you're not just going to sit on the front porch in the rocking chair all day," Hieken, 81, said during an interview at his home in the Wydown Forest neighborhood. On Nov. 6, Hieken received recognition as an Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisan by St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors System. The system held a celebration at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch to honor 20 such seniors "whose involvement and vitality enhance our lives and our community," a program brochure states. Growing up, …

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