Deceased October 20, 2014
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50th Reunion Book Entry
In Memory
It seems that just a short time ago I wrote that the health issues for Bert were improving and that he had taken all the family on a trip to Cape Cod. Most sadly, I have since learned in a conversation with his wife that the trip was sort of a look back down memory lane, for he had been diagnosed with a particularly fast-moving lung cancer. That dreadful and relentless disease struck him in April, and Bert died six months later, passing away on Oct. 20.
He was the youngest member of our class and regularly reminded us that he was still playing tennis along with golf all through those reunion years. Personable and bright, he was Phi Beta Kappa, so it was no surprise that he had a fine career, as executive with Edison Brothers Stores for 37 years.
Headquartered in St. Louis, he and Margie were involved in a wide range of community activities all that time with an even larger role after his retirement. These included the St. Louis symphony, the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, the Better Business Bureau and intergenerational tutoring.
Bert was in the air force for two years, very happily married for 57 years, had two daughters plus two fine sons-in-law and five super grandchildren. His only regret in this otherwise most satisfying life was that the young ones were all living on the East Coast, which just added to their worldwide travel schedule. We lost Bert at 85, which seemed old only when we were underclassmen. He will be missed by so very many.
Gerry Reilly ’49
