Hall of Fame Members

Dr. Martha Ackmann
Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Martha Ackmann is a multi-talented educator, writer, and high school radio pioneer whose passion for storytelling extends far beyond the written word. As an award-winning author, her books have captivated readers, shedding light on the lives of extraordinary women and unveiling forgotten stories of history. Dr. Ackmann's legacy also includes her role as the visionary force behind KRSH, Ritenour High School’s legendary radio station. Through her dedication and innovative spirit, Dr. Ackmann has inspired a generation of Ritenour students. 

Dr. Ackmann's remarkable journey as a journalism teacher and radio advisor began in 1973 at Ritenour High School, where she played a pivotal role in building the school's journalism program and establishing Missouri's first student-run high school radio station, KRSH-FM. KRSH made its debut on Nov. 7, 1977, boasting 10 watts of power. The station's setup resembled a professional operation, with two studios, a control room, newsroom, office and reception area. The radio station’s objective was twofold: to provide a community news, entertainment and education vehicle and to offer hands-on learning experience to Ritenour students.

Under Dr. Ackmann's guidance, the station grew from just broadcasting two hours a day to over seven hours daily, broadening its programming to cater to its student audience. KRSH was the first local high school station to offer the Associated Press service, cementing its reputation as a professional outlet. Dr. Ackmann also served as an advisor for the school's newspaper, The Pepper Box, the yearbook, Melaureus, and the literary magazine, Loquendus. Many of her former students went on to successful careers in journalism and media, making her impact on their lives truly exceptional.

The station's success and influence continued through the years, and KRSH evolved into KRHS, remaining a vital part of Ritenour High School's curriculum. With the addition of the Media Convergence Center, KRHS continues to provide a rich learning environment for students interested in radio, yearbook, newspaper, digital media and media convergence classes.

After leaving Ritenour High School in 1979, Dr. Ackmann went on to become a successful author and college professor. Dr. Ackmann’s lifelong work as an author and journalist has earned her numerous accolades, including fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Her expertise and engaging style have made her a sought-after public speaker, with invitations to address audiences at prestigious institutions like the Johnson Space Center and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. One of her books inspired an award-winning Off Broadway play.

Beyond academia and literature, Dr. Ackmann's powerful storytelling has been featured on major media platforms like CNN, National Public Radio and the BBC. She has been a frequent commentator for New England Public Radio. She holds an undergraduate degree from Lindenwood College, a master’s from Middlebury College and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Dr. Ackmann’s students, colleagues, and readers continue to be inspired by her work, and she remains a cherished figure in the hearts of many Ritenour alumni. We are proud to welcome Dr. Martha Ackmann as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for the Ritenour Hall of Fame.

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Charla Lord
Class of 1981

Charla Lord stands out as a shining example of achievement and dedication. Fueled by her deep passion for journalism, she has left a lasting mark on the fields of media and corporate communications. She has built a successful career as a writer, producer and communications professional, showcasing her talents and achieving notable milestones along the way.

Lord graduated from Ritenour High School in 1981, where she excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities. Her high school years were filled with academic achievements and success with the girls' basketball team, the tennis team, the marching band, jazz and concert bands, orchestra, and membership in the National Honor Society. Additionally, she made her mark as a regular contributor to KRSH 90.1 FM radio, showcasing her diverse talents and love for media.

Following her graduation, Lord attended the University of Missouri–Columbia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and the University of Missouri–St. Louis where she earned a master’s degree in political science.

Her professional career began in 1985 when she was hired by KMOX-TV (later renamed KMOV-TV) in St. Louis. Over the course of her 21-year tenure at Channel 4, Lord showcased her versatility by working as a writer, an assignment desk manager, and segment and line producer. Her talent and dedication were particularly evident during her time as an investigative news writer and producer from 1988 to 1995, which led to three prestigious Emmy Awards for her outstanding work.

In 2006, Lord embarked on a new chapter in her career by accepting the position of Director of Communications at the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis. During her seven-year tenure at Webster, Lord ensured effective messaging and stakeholder engagement by spearheading numerous local and international communication strategies and high-level events, including St. Louis native Jack Dorsey’s return to his hometown and first “Tweet Up” after founding the social media platform Twitter. 

In 2013, Lord joined the Monsanto Company in St. Louis as Corporate Communications Manager. Within a year of her tenure, the company promoted Lord to the role of Senior Manager of Media Communications for Issues Management, where she continued to excel byleveraging her expertise to handle local, national and global media inquiries, crisis communications and reputation management. Following Monsanto’s sale to Bayer Corporation, Lord was named the crop science breeding division’s Head of Science and Community Engagement.

Lord’s remarkable career accomplishments are only part of her story. In her personal life, she is a loving and devoted mother to her children, Brennan and Hanna. Beyond her family, she actively contributes to her community through involvement with Kirkwood United Methodist Church, Kirkwood Women's Tennis Association, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Kirkwood High School’s Pioneer Pride Marching Band. Her dedication to community service reflects her genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Lord's journey from Ritenour High School to a successful career in media and corporate communications serves as an inspiration to many. Her induction into the Ritenour Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional contributions and the positive influence she has made in the community. 

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Rev. Dr. William Yancey
Class of 1964

From his impressive high school career to his lifelong commitment to service and inclusivity, Dr. Yancey has made a lasting impact on his community and beyond.

During his time at Ritenour High School, Dr. Yancey, class of 1964, excelled both academically and athletically. He was a standout player in varsity football, basketball and baseball. He held leadership positions in various student organizations, including serving as the vice president of the student council and president of the Lettermen's Club. His ambition and drive were recognized by his peers when he was voted "Most Ambitious" in the student poll during his senior year.

After graduating from Ritenour, Dr. Yancey pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in English and Education from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. During his time there, he continued his athletic pursuits, participating in varsity football and baseball. It was during this period that he discovered his true calling to the Lutheran Ministry.

Dr. Yancey was ordained into the ministry in 1984 and was called to serve as an education assistant at Bethel Lutheran Church in University City. He completed his Ph.D. in 1986 and became the pastor of Bethel two years later, where he dedicated himself to the congregation for 33 years. During his tenure, his inclusive approach helped the church flourish.

His leadership at Bethel focused on education, reflection and action, principles that he also applied to his involvement in the wider community. Dr. Yancey understood that religion is not merely about doctrine or belief systems, but about fostering relationships and nurturing shared cultural and social lives. His dedication to inclusivity is reflected in the Ritenour community today.

Dr. Yancey's impact extends beyond his role as a pastor. He has been involved in numerous community organizations and initiatives, championing causes such as racial equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, environmental justice and support for vulnerable populations. He has supported the establishment of charitable institutions and served on various boards, including the Lutheran Housing Association and the Lutheran School of Theology in St. Louis.

Beyond his achievements, Dr. Yancey is known for his engaging smile, his welcoming heart and his ability to draw people into lives of service. His impact on the community has been immeasurable, and he has exemplified the values and purposes of the Ritenour Hall of Fame throughout his entire life.

Throughout his career, Dr. Yancey has exhibited humility, deflecting praise and redirecting focus to the achievements of his congregation and community. His quiet leadership has touched many lives, inspiring individuals to find deeper purpose and engage with the world's needs. He has always been working alongside others to make a difference.

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to leadership, service, and inclusivity, it is only fitting to honor Rev. Dr. William Yancey with induction into the Ritenour Hall of Fame. His inspiring story and remarkable contributions serve as a model for current and future students, encouraging them to embrace diverse paths and make a positive impact in their communities.

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Larry Zigler
Class of 1968

Larry Zigler was a remarkable individual who left a lasting impact on his community and country. As a proud graduate of Ritenour High School's class of 1968, he embodied the spirit of a true Husky and excelled in various endeavors throughout his life.

During his time at Ritenour, Zigler was a member of both the varsity track and baseball teams, showcasing his athletic talents and dedication to teamwork. He demonstrated exceptional leadership skills as an editor of the Pepper Box newspaper and as an active member of the student council. His contributions to the school community earned him widespread respect and admiration from his peers.

Following his graduation, Zigler made a profound decision that would shape the course of his life. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, driven by a deep sense of duty and a desire to make a difference. Serving multiple tours of duty during the Vietnam War, Zigler displayed bravery and commitment to his fellow soldiers. He earned numerous accolades, including The Purple Heart for his acts of valor in combat. As a rifle expert and sniper, he exemplified the highest levels of skill and professionalism within the Marines.

Upon completing his military service with an honorable discharge, Zigler faced new challenges as he transitioned back to civilian life. Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the lasting effects of exposure to Agent Orange, he showed immense strength and resilience. Despite these hurdles, he successfully established his own business, Hair Designs by Z, which he operated for over 25 years. 

Zigler’s love for his family and his country was unwavering. He cherished his role as a husband, father and brother, always striving to create a better life for his loved ones. Although deeply impacted by the Vietnam War, he focused on the future and embraced the joys of family life. His selfless nature and the love he shared with those closest to him left an indelible mark on their lives.

Tragically, Zigler passed away in October 2021, leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy of courage and perseverance. His loss is deeply felt, but his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.

In recognition of Zigler's exceptional achievements and his profound impact on his community and country, it is with great honor and respect that we induct him into the Ritenour Hall of Fame. His story serves as an inspiration to future generations, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of those who selflessly serve others.

Dr. George R. Albin III
Lifetime Achievement

Dr. George R. Albin III is a highly respected member of the Ritenour community, whose love and dedication to Ritenour students and families continues to leave a lasting impact. His work with the Ritenour Board of Education, third-generation dentistry practice in Overland and commitment to improving the lives of others through volunteer work and civic engagement have endeared him to the community he pours his heart into. He is the unofficial Ritenour historian and affectionately known to some as “Dr. Ritenour.”

Dr. Albin grew up in the Ritenour School District, where his father, and uncle before him, owned the dentistry practice that he would one day run with his sister, Dr. M. Stacey Albin-Wilson, who is the current Ritenour Board of Education president. Through their multigenerational dentistry practice, they have ensured that the Ritenour community gets the high quality dental care they need and deserve.

The Albin family has deep roots in the Ritenour community and a long tradition of public service. His grandfather was a founding member of the Lions Club of Overland, of which Dr. Albin continues to be an active member. Like his family before him, Dr. Albin saw a need in the Ritenour community and has spent his life’s work filling that need. He received North County Incorporated’s Public Service award in 2013 for his vast contributions. 

Dr. Albin’s civic involvement is no secret. He served tirelessly on any local board or committee that could help him make a difference in the lives of others. He was a volunteer on the Citizens for Ritenour’s Future Committee, which was responsible for the passage of a number of critical bond issues, including the 1990 bond issue that updated all schools and buildings to the long term standards still in effect today. Known for being a man of his word, Dr. Albin saw to it that bond issue promises made, were promises kept.

Dr. Albin was a member of the Ritenour Board of Education for 24 years, spanning 1989 to 2013. During that time, he served a term as vice president and another term as president. He made a point of having lunch at every school, eating with the students and showing genuine interest in their lives and needs, so that he could bring those needs to the board room and address them. Each year, he would visit third-grade classrooms to teach them about dental hygiene. He also served on the Special School District Governing Council and was a member of the SSD Public Review Committee. He continues to advocate for all students, with a place in his heart for students with special needs.

The purpose of the Ritenour Hall of Fame’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” is to recognize someone who has gained distinction through “significant and long-standing contributions to the Ritenour School District.” There is clearly no one more deserving than “Dr. Ritenour” himself, George Albin.  Albin lives Overland with his wife, Patty. They have three children who all graduated from Ritenour High School, Edward, Michelle and Christopher. 

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JoAnn Wike Hornbeck
Class of 1962

JoAnn Wike Hornbeck is an innovative and accomplished interior designer and civic leader whose philanthropic endeavors and dedication to her community and family make her a role model for Ritenour students. She is known in her town in the Greater Milwaukee (Wisc.) area for her generosity.  She has spearheaded local fundraisers and found ways to serve her community through elected and volunteer capacities.

During her time at Ritenour High School, JoAnn was a talented student and athlete. Her athletic abilities included hockey, basketball, and other sports.  As an adult, she added swimming and diving, downhill skiing, golf, softball, and tennis. JoAnn was always a star student, graduating from Ritenour High School at the top of her class in 1962 and the first woman in her family to go to college. She graduated with honors from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. 

Hornbeck was known in her community for her beautiful ceramics, which she sold at juried fine art fairs and has donated for local fundraisers and charities  Most notably, she donated her entire ceramics studio to her children’s high school upon her retirement from art.

Hornbeck’s accomplishments span family, community, and business ventures. She has raised three children, had a robust local government career, spent countless hours volunteering and fundraising for her local schools and community in Wisconsin, and built a highly successful interior design business from the ground up. Her civic highlights include one term as Shorewood School District PTA president, and four years as Board member and four years as Chairperson for the Village of Shorewood Design Review. Hornbeck was then elected twice by her community to serve as Trustee on the Shorewood Village Board, serving a total of six years. 

Hornbeck is a recognized and sought-after interior designer, specializing in plan development for remodeling and construction in the Greater Milwaukee area. Her attention to detail is evident not only in her design work, but in all areas of her life and career.  She has inspired generations of women to work hard and follow their dreams, regardless of societal expectations or obstacles. 

Hornbeck resides with her husband Roger of 56 years in Wisconsin. They have three adult children Justine, Drew, and Hilary Hornbeck and three beautiful granddaughters.

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DeRon Jenkins
Class of 1992

DeRon Jenkins is a man of many talents. A National Football League player, television co-host of a home remodeling reality show, and construction business owner, when Jenkins commits to something, he sees it through. He walks through life with humility, kindness and unmatched determination, making him a worthy member of the Ritenour Hall of Fame.

Jenkins was destined for greatness from an early age. The youngest of three siblings and raised in a single-parent household, he had to work hard for his success story. As a child, he helped lead his little league football team to an impressive 53-0 record. As a student at Ritenour High School, Jenkins was academically and athletically gifted. His humble and outgoing nature gave him the rare ability to befriend everyone. He was a natural leader who always made an effort to make those around him feel special and included. 

Jenkins was a stand-out athlete in football, basketball and track. As a freshman in high school, he ran on the state championship track team along with his older brother Earl. He played varsity football as a freshman and had a stellar basketball record, as well. By his senior year, Jenkins was a state champion multi-sport athlete, was on Missouri’s “10 Most Wanted” list, and was an honor roll student. 

Jenkins accepted a scholarship from the University of Tennessee, where he was a star player for the Volunteers after graduating from Ritenour High School in 1992. Upon graduating from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in child psychology, he was drafted into the NFL by the Baltimore Ravens, where he was a starting cornerback for four years. He spent ten successful years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans.  He also played in the Arena Football League for the Austin Wranglers and Nashville Kats. 

After retiring from professional football, Jenkins remained in Nashville, where he founded a construction company. His passion for construction work started when he bought his first home, which was a fixter-upper. His excitement for renovation and new constructions led him to become a licensed general contractor and owner of his current business, DY Constructions Inc. & DY Properties LLC. He currently stars in HGTV’s hit show Flip or Flop - Nashville, transforming some of the worst properties in Nashville into stylish and functional family homes.

DeRon Jenkins never passes up an opportunity to give back to his community. With humility and grace, he has worked hard and achieved incredible success. He is a role model for Ritenour students, especially those who have the opportunity to see his college football jersey hanging in the locker room before every game. He is an asset to the Ritenour community and a friend to all who know him. Jenkins currently resides in Nashville and is the proud father of a daughter, Dylan.

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Don Quante
Class of 1981

Don Quante is an award-winning, nationally recognized financial advisor. He is a Partner with Simplicity Group and is responsible for the Simplicity Asset-Based Long-Term Care division, a National Marketing Organization specializing in asset-based long-term care. He is the founder of Wealth Protection Advisors, Eldercare Financial, and former president of America’s First Financial, Corp. He is the “go to” expert for crisis long-term care planning and has conducted thousands of public workshops, trained over 1,800 advisors, and published two books. His goal in pursuing a career in personal finance has always been to offer hope and help to families across the country who are facing decisions regarding long-term care planning and care giving.

Quante started from modest beginnings, working his way up from his first job at a bicycle shop on St. Charles Rock Road to founding his own multi-million dollar financial company. After graduation from Ritenour High School in 1981, he studied at St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley and became a financial advisor at MetLife. After witnessing the effects of financial hardships in eldercare first-hand, he made it his life’s goal to help others avoid those same pitfalls by providing sound, solution-focused financial advice for anyone undertaking long-term care planning and asset protection. He always believed that seniors deserve better, and so do their children. 

Over the years, Quante has helped over 15,000 families in the St. Louis area and across the United States to plan for the future. Through public workshops, television and radio appearances, and best-selling books, he has reached a wide audience to give advice on how to protect their assets from the cost of long-term care.

The reason for Quante’s success is not just that he is a careful and brilliant businessman, but that he truly has a heart for the work. He is passionate about helping as many people as he can, and he is well-known for his professionalism, ethics and humility in his work. He has received numerous awards, including the 2018 Center Street Securities Achievement in Excellence Award, the 2016-2019 F&G Annuity & Life Power Producer Award, the St. Peters Business Hall of Fame Best of St. Peters Award and many others. As a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table, he is in the top 10% in his industry and is held to the highest level of ethics in the profession.

Don Quante’s kindness and generosity goes beyond financial planning. He is a leader through his civic involvement in local and national elections, and he sponsors local charities and organizations such as Timothy’s Mountain, Disabled Athletes, Folds of Honor, and Alzheimer’s walks. He worked closely with the president of the Dementia Society of America, helping to educate citizens regarding the “7 critial actions to take in case of dementia.” He also spends his time helping local youth through Disabled Athletes and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He provides meals for children and families in need and always goes above and beyond to improve the lives of those within his community.

Don Quante’s impressive resume, generosity and commitment to enhancing the lives of others make him well-deserving of the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He resides in St. Charles with his wife, Sheila, and is the proud father of one son, two daughters and four grandchildren.

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Jerry Zykan
Class of 1969

A former Ritenour student-turned teacher, Jerry Zykan is a renowned baseball and basketball coach who spent 28 years inspiring Ritenour students in the classroom, in the locker room, and in life. Not only was Zykan one of the most successful basketball coaches in the history of Ritenour, but he also found success at the college level with coaching positions at Saint Louis University (SLU) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). His coaching prowess was matched only by the level of commitment and dedication he had to his students in the classroom, where he strived for equity and inclusion in school-wide initiatives. He continues his legacy of excellence in Ritenour through his work with the Pride and Promise Foundation.

Zykan has orange and black running through his veins. He grew up in the Ritenour School District, where his parents owned and managed a small grocery store near Kratz Elementary School. He attended Kratz and Hoech Junior High before graduating from Ritenour High School as captain of the varsity basketball team in 1969. After attaining his Bachelors in Education from UMSL in 1974, he began his teaching career in Ritenour as a science teacher and basketball coach at Hoech Junior High. His goal in returning to his alma mater was to “impact the life of my students as much as the Ritenour teachers impacted me.” He later went on to earn his Master’s in Secondary Education from UMSL and his Master’s +30 hours from Truman State University.

In his second year as basketball coach at Hoech Junior High, he led his team to an undefeated season. He continued churning out victories as head varsity coach at the high school level, where he holds the record for the second most wins in Ritenour High School history. The 1977 Ritenour team was 24-4, undefeated in conference play, and ranked number one in the state of Missouri at one time in the season. At the collegiate level, he served as assistant coach for five seasons at UMSL and was named assistant coach of the year in the MIAA Conference in 1985. He then became an assistant coach for SLU, where he helped lead the Billikens to post season for the first time in many years. He would continue his teaching and coaching career in Ritenour until he moved on to teach in St. Louis Public Schools from 2004 to 2008. 

Jerry Zykan’s success in coaching was rooted in his ability to mold individuals into a team and instill in them the importance of hard work and integrity. He taught them the value of understanding there were things bigger than themselves. 

Former students remember Zykan as a mentor who regularly went above and beyond to help his students achieve success and see the bigger picture. For 20 years he set up and ran a program where he took middle school students to different parts of the United States during their spring break. He made sure it was financially affordable and accessible to all. He took a keen interest in his students and worked with them to help them reach their goals for the future. Many of his former students and players have gone on to become successful and notable leaders. 

Zykan has the heart of a public servant, as displayed in his civic involvement. He has been a member of the board of the Ritenour Pride and Promise Foundation and a Sunday School teacher, deacon and elder at his church. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children, Julie and David.

Don Thompson
Lifetime Achievement

Don Thompson is a former longtime teacher, coach and generous benefactor in the Ritenour School District. Through his commitment to his students, strong work ethic and philanthropic endeavors, he has created a lasting legacy in the district.

Thompson was a teacher in the Ritenour School District for 30 years. From 1966 to 1980 he was a math and science teacher at Hoech Junior High School. He went on to teach math and science at Ritenour High School from 1981 to 1996. Thompson was a class sponsor and longtime sponsor of the Metropolitan Student Leadership Program.  During his tenure at Ritenour High School, he received the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s Distinguished Service Award and the St Louis Wrestling Officials’ Service Award.

Thompson was skilled at bringing out the best in everyone he mentored. He was known for his tough love and high expectations, pushing students to achieve beyond what they believed possible. Students could count on Mr. Thompson to always be well dressed and wearing a tie, as he modeled the same professionalism and behavior that he expected from his students. The impact he had on those he taught is still felt today by students who keep him updated on their lives and achievements.

Thompson’s impact on students and the Ritenour community did not end at the classroom door. He coached varsity wrestling and was the tournament manager for many years at the Ritenour Wrestling Tournament, as well as district and state level competitions. He used his connections with the St. Louis Cardinals to run fundraising events in support of Ritenour athletics, where he raised over $100,000 auctioning off baseball memorabilia and autographs. He also solicited baseball players to donate their time at the event to sign autographs in person. He continues his support of the district today by donating auction items for the annual Ritenour Golf Tournament and Trivia Night events to raise money for the Ritenour Pride and Promise Foundation. 

In the community, Don Thompson’s philanthropic work extends to anyone who asks for help. He donated one-of-a-kind gifts to Ronald McDonald House Charities for children who were in the hospital for an extended stay, and he never turns down a request for help in any capacity. He received the Baseball Writers’ Association of America - St. Louis chapter’s “Harry Mitauer Good Guy” award in 2016.

Don Thompson’s legacy of excellence in Ritenour as a teacher, coach and philanthropist is unparalleled. The positive atmosphere and energy he brings to every organization, along with his loyalty and dedication to the community he serves, makes him an invaluable asset to the Ritenour School District. The district is proud to welcome him into the Hall of Fame as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Dr. Arlene Ackerman
Class of 1964 (posthumous)

Dr. Arlene Ackerman is an award-winning and nationally recognized educator who served as superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools, San Francisco Unified School District and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Dr. Ackerman graduated from Ritenour High School in 1964 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Harris Stowe Teachers College in St. Louis. After teaching early education, elementary and middle school in school districts in St. Louis and Chicago, including the Ritenour School District, Dr. Ackerman became the Director of Basic Skills Academy for high school youth in St. Louis in 1980. She earned her Master of Arts in Education, Administration and Policy from Washington University in St. Louis in 1981 and became the Director of the Upward Bound Program at Saint Louis University the following year. 

Dr. Ackerman would continue her rise to the top of her field by earning a Master of Arts in Education in 1993 and Doctor of Education in 2001 from Harvard University. She served diverse communities across the country and shared her wealth of knowledge and visionary leadership wherever she went. Her leadership impacted the lives of thousands of students in St. Louis, Seattle, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia. As a superintendent, she inspired excellence in education by creating a school climate that was positive, caring and collaborative. She lived by her motto, “The victory is in the classroom,” by always putting students first and removing obstacles that prevented her staff from providing an effective teaching and learning environment.

Among her many honors was being named National Superintendent of the Year, as well as Urban Superintendent of the Year. She received the Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award and served on the President’s Board of Advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Dr. Ackerman and her team earned praise from President Barack Obama and the United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, for her innovative intervention approach aimed at turning around the District of Columbia’s struggling schools.  She earned praise as superintendent of Philadelphia Public Schools in 2008 after half of all students in the district met standards on state exams for the first time in seven years.

Dr. Ackermann was one of the most committed and consummate educational pioneers of the 21st century. She had an outstanding career and is known as one of America's most distinguished educational leaders. She led the charge to provide an exemplary learning environment for all students regardless of their race, intellectual abilities or economic status. Sadly she passed away in 2013 at the age of 66. We are honored to welcome her into our Hall of Fame.

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Dr. Bobby Gines
Class of 1964

Dr. Bobby Gines is an award-winning educator who worked as an administrator in St. Louis Public Schools, the Riverview Garden School District and districts in the Kansas City area. He was also an outstanding athlete for the Huskies. He was undefeated in his wrestling career and was the first African-American wrestler in Ritenour to win a state championship in 1964. 

Growing up in the Ritenour School District, Dr. Gines was a model student. He was on the honor roll, served on the student council, was a member of the Letterman’s Club, and was a friend to all who knew him. After graduating from Ritenour in 1964, Gines continued his education, earning his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University, his Masters from University of Missouri - Kansas City, and his doctorate from University of Missouri - Columbia. He served in the Army Reserves from 1969 through 1974.

Dr. Gines served with distinction for 48 years as a teacher, principal instructional coordinator and assistant superintendent. As the first African-American principal in the Hickman School District near Kansas City, his success at Ingels Elementary was recognized throughout the nation. He helped turn a school with low test scores and adversarial relationships between teachers and families into a school that won national awards and was recognized by U.S. President Bill Clinton just three years later. 

Dr. Gines was known for going above and beyond in his leadership roles by building personal relationships with students and their families, often personally mentoring them. As assistant superintendent in the Riverview Gardens School District, Dr. Gines wore many hats to accomplish his goal of elevating the district and its students. His passion for giving all students the equitable education they deserve is evident wherever he worked. His work as a school administrator speaks for itself, both through measurable achievement gains and through the lasting relationships and bridges he has between school districts and their communities.

An active member of the community, Dr. Gines’ long list of memberships include the NAACP, National Association of Black School Educators, University of Missouri - Kansas City Alumni Board and most recently the Missouri School Improvement Team from 2012 to 2015. His leadership on various advisory boards and steering committees is always invaluable due to his ability to form connections and bring people together to accomplish common goals. He instilled his love of sports into inner-city fifth-graders at summer youth camps, as well as dedicating his time to coaching boys in baseball, basketball and soccer early in his career while working in the Kansas City, Missouri area school district. 

Currently, Dr. Gines serves as a volunteer tutor at the elementary level in the Hazelwood and Riverview Gardens school districts. His accomplishments in the field of education, his ability to meet challenges, and his selfless work helping children succeed socially and academically make him a source of pride for Ritenour and an ideal candidate for induction into our Hall of Fame.

Dr. Gines and his wife Brenda have been married for 53 years and reside in Florissant, Mo.  They have three children and ten grandchildren.

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Jim Marshall
Class of 1976

Jim Marshall is an award-winning social studies and physical education teacher, coach and public speaker with a 38-year educational career. He is the founder of Cody’s Gift, a not-for-profit substance use prevention and coping skills education program for schools. This program was named after his son.

After a successful athletic and academic career at Ritenour High School, he graduated in 1976. He went on to earn his bachelor’s in physical education, health and social studies. He earned a master’s equivalency through Jefferson City School District and Lincoln University in 1988. He was a teacher and four-sport coach at Kickapoo High School and North Callaway Schools from 1980-1985, before landing at Jefferson City High School, where he would teach and coach for the next 25 years. 

Jim Marshall led the Jefferson City cross country  boys and girls program to 34 district titles, 16 top four finishes in the state, and six runner-up or state championships. While he was the head assistant coach in track, Jefferson City won nine state titles and 24 top four finishes, with 43 district titles. He was named Missouri Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007. The Jefferson City track program was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as an outstanding high school program in 2013. 

Jim retired in 2010 from public schools and spent the next eight years as a track coach at Westminster College and William Woods University. He won several conference titles, was named Coach of the Year twice, and coached five All-Americans. He retired in 2018.

During the last 10 years, Jim has spoken about substance use prevention at 700 schools, conferences, workshops and seminars in all 52 counties in Missouri, as well as out of state. His mantra on substance use talks is, “If we can prevent or save just one...” He was awarded the Drug Free Youth Educator of the Year Award in 2014 by Major League Baseball.

Jim has lobbied, testified and worked on legislation relating to substance use prevention. In 2018, Bailey and Cody’s Law was passed in Missouri. The Good Samaritan Law prevents prosecution of people that bring an overdosing person into a hospital. In 2021, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act was passed after 10 years of repeated attempts. Missouri was the only state that did not have this program. It prevents prescription and doctor shopping and gives physicians an adequate data base to help them prescribe safely. 

Friends and colleagues praise Jim’s modesty, integrity and reliability. He has been a role model to thousands of young people. He is blessed with a wonderful wife, Cheryl, and loves keeping up with his daughter, Brittanny, along with his three grandchildren and five nieces. Because of his accomplishments and community service, we are honored to welcome him into our Hall of Fame.

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Murvel Sellars, Jr.
Class of 1980

Murvel Sellars is a nationally-known, award-winning science fiction author who writes paranormal suspense novels. He has had dozens of books published under his pen name, M.R. Sellars. His distinguished career, kind nature and desire to mentor others and help his community make him a worthy addition to the Hall of Fame. 

Sellars graduated from Ritenour High School in 1980, where his journalism teacher Martha Ackerman recognized his talent and set him on his writing path. Friends say that in high school, his greatest attributes were his intelligence and his heart of gold. Even then, he was gifted at making those around him feel special and appreciated, a quality that has carried over into his professional career. His unique ability to reach others translates well on paper, as evidenced by the avid fan base his published works have earned him. Fans of M.R. Sellars will tell you they are addicted to his books. Those who have met him in person often come away with a story about the special moment they shared with him, as he is very generous with his time. He uses his platform to educate, spread kindness and promote diversity and community building.

He has won many awards for his writing, including the People’s Choice Award for Best Novel by a Local Author.  Sellars is also a popular panelist at science fiction and fantasy conventions who has mentored several up-and-coming authors. His novels have spent many weeks on bookstore bestseller lists, as well as appearing consistently on the Amazon.com Horror Top 100.  His fans come from all walks of life and are drawn to his unconventional and rich characters. He is best known for his Rowan Gant Investigations series about an occult detective who helps the St. Louis Police Department solve unusual crimes.

Throughout his distinguished career, Sellars has not only found success in his chosen field as a writer, but has also been instrumental in helping in the community in a number of ways. He has helped to raise money for everything from animal shelters to food pantries to domestic intervention centers. He has also donated his time to the Ethical Society of St. Louis and the Missouri Stream Team. He works his passion for cooking into his community efforts, volunteering as a chef for several youth group events through the years. Friends and family laud his smoked brisket and pulled pork that always come with a side of genuine Southern hospitality.

Sellars’ story of perseverance and hard work leading to his ultimate success serves as an inspiration to Ritenour High School students and anyone with a dream they are trying to achieve. His humility, genuine character and service to his community make him an ideal role model and member of the Ritenour Hall of Fame.

Rex M. Burlison
Class of 1972

Rex M. Burlison is the presiding judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit in St. Louis. No stranger to high-profile cases, Judge Burlison is known for his conscientiousness, wit and generosity. His hard work, passion for justice and stellar reputation make him a role model for current Ritenour High School students.

Judge Burlison’s long, distinguished career had humble beginnings. In high school, he worked after-school jobs while keeping up with academics and being active in sports. A wide receiver, Burlison helped lead the varsity football team to win the St. Louis Suburban North Conference against McCluer High School in the fall of 1971. Friends of Burlison remember how he used humor to make classes more bearable. 

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1972, Burlison went on to graduate cum laude from Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State, with a major in political science and law enforcement. After moving with his wife, Rita, to Jefferson City for a year to work as an aid to then-Sen. Harry Wiggins, Burlison was accepted into St. Louis University School of Law. He and his wife made ends meet while raising their first daughter and living off Rita’s five part-time jobs along with his school loans. Rita recalls that times never felt tough, though, because together they still had fun and her husband always made her laugh.

After graduating law school, Burlison learned every facet of law at the law firm of George Sullivan in O’Fallon, Mo. He continued to practice as a private attorney for the next 20 years. Burlison went on to serve for a year as an Associate Circuit judge in St. Charles County before being hired by then-Attorney General Jay Nixon as chief counsel for the Eastern District in St. Louis for the next eight years. When Nixon became governor, he joined his team as Eastern Region director. He has been a judge in the 22nd Judicial Circuit in St. Louis since 2011, where has presided over such significant cases as State of Missouri v. Gov. Eric Greitens, the Francine Katz v. Anheuser-Busch discrimination case and the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder cases. He entered a decision finding same-sex marriage legal in Missouri in 2014. He was awarded the Judicial Excellence Award by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri in 2018.

Despite his high-demand job and long hours devoted to studying and researching law, Burlison always finds time for family, friends and community. He serves as a lector at Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard and is passionate about the needs of the homeless in the city of St. Louis. He volunteers for Motion for Kids, an organization for children who have a parent in the criminal justice system, where he plays Santa Claus for holiday events for the organization every year. He also was significantly involved in Family Advocacy and Community Training, a not-for-profit agency that assists parents of developmentally challenged children. He has provided legal counsel pro bono for families of children with special challenges.

Judge Burlison has a heart for humanity and continually uses his talents to make the world a better place. With hard work, humor and humility, he has become a leader in the St. Louis community highly deserving of a place in the Ritenour Hall of Fame.

The father of four children and grandfather of eight, Judge Burlison and his wife reside in St. Louis.

 

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Mark Lacey
Class of 1980

Straightforward, hard-working, loyal and kind are all words used to describe Ritenour Hall of Fame inductee Mark Lacey.  But, if you asked the 1980 Ritenour graduate about his accomplishments, his humble demeanor would prevent him from telling you about all of the amazing accomplishments of his military and professional careers.  

Lacey is an award-winning military veteran, and operations and logistics manager. After graduating from high school, he began his highly decorated military career with the U.S. Army that spanned for several decades. His combat experience overseas includes tours of duty in the Gulf War, Panama, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.  

He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he helped secure the area for incoming troops. He also received five Meritorious Service Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and many other military accolades.

As one of his many nomination letters noted:  “He was not seeking glory or special attention in the Army; he was doing his job and doing it with great pride.”

From 1999-2004, he has supervised and managed the logistical organization of more than 600 personnel for the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Fourteen years ago, he joined Volpi Food, Inc. in St. Louis as the warehouse and shipping manager.  In that role, Lacey has been responsible for timely deliveries both across the country and internationally. He has been lauded by Volpi executives for helping to improve the overall culture and climate of the company by organizing activities to bring all 220 employees together.  

The president and CEO of Volpi Food, Inc. described Lacey this way:  “True heroes like Mark are those that leave their impression on the communities in which they live, live exemplary lives and do so with a positive attitude.”

The father of two children, Lacey resides in St. Ann, Mo.

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George W. Meyer
Class of 1934

George W. Meyer’s unique and accomplished career in aviation began shortly after he graduated from Ritenour High School in 1934. His early aptitude for building airplane models as a teenager led him to become a legend in the world of experimental, stunt and recreational aircraft. Meyer’s award-winning biplane prototype Little Toot, which first appeared in 1957, continues to inspire Experimental Aircraft builders around the world.

Meyer is remembered by friends and family as a kind and generous person who could engineer and build anything from a young age. While still in high school, he built and detailed scale airplane models for local museums. After graduation, he became a sheet metal worker and specialist before serving in the U.S. Army during WWII. His subsequent career repairing naval airplanes would take him across the country for the next 30 years, from Pensacola, Fla., to Seattle, Wash., ultimately landing him in Corpus Christi, Texas. There, he  supervised over 500 employees repairing and fabricating parts for helicopters to be used in the Vietnam War. 

When Meyer wasn’t at work fixing and building planes, he was home building display models for museums (some of which were displayed in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum) or engineering his own dream plane. One of his greatest accomplishments was Little Toot, an aerobatic biplane he designed and built himself, that would go on to win the coveted Mechanix Illustrated Award at the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in in Milwaukee, Wis. in 1957. Little Toot’s design was a revolution for its time and continues to be built and modified by aeronautical enthusiasts to this day.

With only a high school diploma, Meyer turned his plane-building hobby into a lucrative career, winning several competitions and drawing up and selling copies of the design plans for Little Toot. He helped launch the Experimental Amateur Built Aircraft movement, and was one of the original members of the Experimental Aircraft Association, which has since expanded to more than 220,000 members.

Meyer passed on his love of airplane building to his son, Thomas, whose beloved childhood Disney character Little Toot became the namesake for his father’s most successful endeavor. Thomas carries on his father’s legacy by restoring and building his own biplanes, most recently modifying his father’s original blueprints to create a larger, more powerful Little Toot plane, lovingly known as Big Toot.

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Bill Wirtz
Class of 1965

Bill Wirtz had a positive impact on thousands of students and hundreds of athletes during his illustrious career as a teacher and a coach at Ritenour High School. He is known as one of the most well-respected, talented and successful coaches in the storied history of Ritenour athletics.      

Wirtz was an outstanding athlete as a student in Ritenour, excelling in track and field and being a part of the inaugural cross country team during his senior year for the Huskies. After graduating in 1965, Wirtz attended Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), where he also had great success in the classroom and athletics. Wirtz earned a total of eight letters in cross country and track and field, served as the track and field team captain for two years, earned numerous all-conference honors and held the school’s mile record for many years.

Wirtz was a member of the 1969 track and field team that won the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Conference and was later inducted into the SEMO’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.  His team also captured the MIAA cross country championship for three years.  

He received his bachelor’s in biology from SEMO in 1969 and also holds graduate degrees in biology and education. After teaching science for one year in Pattonville in 1969, he returned to his alma mater in 1970 to teach biology and science.  

Wirtz coached the Huskies cross country teams for 29 years while also serving as an assistant track coach (1971-1973) and head track coach (1974-1994).  During his tenure as coach, Ritenour teams were a juggernaut at the local and state levels. He led the Huskies to two state championships (1985 and 1989), two second place finishes (1977 and 1990) and two third place marks (1983 and 1991).  He also led the cross country team to a third place finish in 1975.

Overall, Wirtz coached 14 individual state champions, eight relay state champions and one individual state champion in cross country.  Six of those champions set new state record times in Missouri. Twenty-one Ritenour track athletes achieved high school All-American status through his guidance. 

Wirtz is a three-time Missouri track coach of the year (1985, 1989 and 1990) and was inducted into the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001.  He retired from teaching and coaching in 1999.  

Wirtz demonstrated his outstanding ability to make the runners he coached to be the best they could be and accomplish their goals and is a deserving recipient for inclusion in the Ritenour Hall of Fame.

He and his wife, Jan, reside in Maryland Heights, Mo. 

Daniel Fortune is a renowned track athlete and coach, educator and advocate for students with disabilities. Fortune’s impressive athletic accomplishments in high school and college propelled him into a successful coaching career. In his current role as a Community Based Vocational Instruction Instructor in the Special School District, he continues to improve the lives of all he encounters, including children and adults with disabilities, through their access to sports and enriching activities.

During his time at Ritenour High School, Fortune was one of the most successful track athletes in the State of Missouri. As a senior at the 1977 Missouri State Track & Field Championship, Fortune won the “triple crown” of sprinting - the 110-, 220- and 440-yard dashes. That year, he was named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Fortune was well-known not only for his talent, but also for his friendly and welcoming demeanor, and for being a team leader who always represented the best of Ritenour.

Fortune went on to have a successful college track career at the University of Missouri, where he still maintains the 5th all-time fastest record for the 200-meter dash.  As a track coach for various St. Louis area high schools, he has coached 36 All-State athletes, and his teams have won two district titles.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science from University of Missouri - Columbia in 1982, Fortune later went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville in 1995 and his Master of Arts in Education from Lindenwood University in 2010.

From 1986 to 2003, Fortune worked for the St. Louis Society for Children and Adults with Physical Disabilities. He shared his passion for activities and athletics through the creation of scuba and ski programs for disabled youth. He helped start and was actively involved in afterschool programs in the Special School District and in Saint Louis Public Schools and also organized the Variety Club Sports Camp and a yearly tennis tournament for Paralympic athletes.   He worked hard to ensure that children and adults of all ability levels had the opportunity to participate in community activities and sports.  

Today, Fortune recruits local high school students with disabilities, where he works to expand their vocational training and opportunities.  

A genuine humanitarian, Fortune has dedicated his career to providing enriching opportunities that highlight the special abilities of children, youths and adults, and to opening new doors for their future. He currently resides in Glendale, Mo. with his wife Colleen and two sons, Ryan and Patrick.

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Cynthia (Willis) Simmons is a senior executive in the federal government and serves as Chief of the Instrument Systems and Technology Division at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., where she leads more than 220 engineers and technicians. Simmons has earned numerous awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career and continues to push the boundaries of technology in space exploration.

Simmons was fascinated with space from a young age and enjoyed delving into science fiction movies and TV shows like Star Trek as a child. She says she was enthralled by the thought of space travel after watching the first landing on the moon and the astronauts returning to Earth.

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1978 with a 3.98 GPA, Simmons was the first African-American woman in Missouri to be accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she studied biology and aerospace engineering. She was featured in local and national publications for her accomplishment of being one of the first African-American females expected to graduate from the Academy. She graduated with honors in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Engineering, and then earned a Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland in 2005.

Simmons has played a crucial role in launching many successful satellites throughout her career in the Air Force, commercial space industry, and at NASA, first as a contractor, and then as a civil servant in her dream job. She has created numerous designs for spacecraft and spaceflight instruments, such as the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Curiosity Rover. Simmons was honored to have the name of her mother, Eva G. Willis, engraved on a plaque affixed to the Mars Curiosity Rover, in memory of the woman who pushed her to follow her dreams.

Colleagues recognize Simmons for her integrity, ambition, strong leadership skills and for her exceptional mind. She is a role model for women in her field and is considered a “change maker” within NASA. Her contributions have been recognized through many awards, a few of which include the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal (2012), the Robert H. Goddard Leadership Honor Award in both 2015 and 2017, nominee for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (2016) and recipient of the NASA/GSFC Special Act Award (2015). She was selected as a Women @ NASA honoree in 2014, and was appointed Senior Fellow by the Goddard Space Flight Center Director to advise him on the Center’s goals and strategies. Time and again she has demonstrated her effective leadership skills in her roles as Instrument Manager, Instrument Project Manager, Associate Division Chief and Division Chief at NASA.

No matter where her career takes her, Simmons makes time to pursue hobbies and give back to the community. She is a black belt in Tai Chi and travels often to China for competition. She also takes every opportunity to share her NASA experiences with girls and boys of all ages and backgrounds, “exposing them to what’s possible and encouraging them to reach higher.”

Simmons currently resides in Centreville, Virginia with her husband Lee Simmons.

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Don H. Maxey had a positive influence on the lives of countless students during his 35-year teaching and coaching career (1954-1989). He was a member of the Ritenour High School faculty for 29 years, where he developed the Huskies highly recognized basketball program. Maxey is the winningest coach in school history with a record of 286-67.  

His teams dominated the state with their accomplishments throughout his tenure. Ritenour’s basketball games created a sense of pride and excitement for students and the community. Fans packed Costilow Field House year after year.  

Maxey’s teams were also trendsetters. They were the first high school team to wear blazers for travel on game days, presenting a team image that reflected their positive character and sportsmanship. He approached teaching and coaching with enthusiasm, innovation and dedication. Maxey believed that the strength of a team was created in the depth of character, enthusiasm and coachability of the players. Numerous players were named All-Conference, All-District, All-State, and All-Americans. Many players received college athletic scholarships and were successful at the collegiate level too.    

In 1988, Maxey was awarded the Scholastic Coach - National High School Basketball Coaching Award for his years of excellence as a high school basketball coach.  He continued his passion for the game of basketball as a Missouri Valley Conference collegiate official and MSHSAA high school basketball official for a number of years. Don was also an avid outdoorsman and served as a Hunter Safety Instructor for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Although Maxey is remembered for his success on the court, he served in various other capacities at Ritenour High School.  He was the head golf coach and assistant track coach, two sports he also personally had excelled in as an athlete. He also taught social studies, health, and physical education.  Additionally, he served as a supervisor for the Cooperative Occupational Education program (COE), director of Ritenour’s Summer School Program, and supervised the Adult Continuing Education Program.  

A successful athlete himself, Maxey lettered in baseball, football, track and basketball in high school. He continued his athletic career at Kirksville State Teachers’ College (now Truman State University), where he excelled in basketball and track while earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He also earned a Master’s Degree and completed advanced post-graduate studies.   

During his senior year in college, Maxey enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and upon graduation entered officers’ training school in Quantico, Virginia. He was commissioned a second lieutenant, serving during the Korean War.  He embraced and lived by the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fi, “Always Faithful.”

Maxey passed away in 2001 and is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. A devoted husband and father, Maxey and his wife, Bonnie, proudly raised four children who graduated from Ritenour High School: Julie (1976), Cathy (1978), and twins Mark and Sherri (1979).

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Howard Williamson is a retired award-winning school counselor.  His passion for student achievement and success led him to pioneer new ideas and innovations in guidance and counseling.   

His goal was to ensure that all students were prepared for a successful future after leaving high school.This belief was evident throughout his 33 years in the district by the increased emphasis he put on career education and by the help and encouragement he gave adults who had dropped out of high school to achieve their educational goals.

Williamson joined Ritenour High School as a counselor in 1964. A year later, he was selected to lead the guidance department. Recognizing that not all students were headed directly to college, he created new career opportunities for students prior to graduation. During Williamson’s tenure, RHS was the largest three-year high school for grades 10-12 in Missouri.

As part of a state/national educational committee, Williamson also helped pioneer a program aimed at preventing students in junior high from dropping out before they reached high school.  The committee garnered state approval for what became Armbruster Vo-Prep, the first school in the nation to offer pre-vocational education to younger students who were at risk of dropping out of school. The program began in 1971, and Williamson served as assistant principal and counselor at the school from 1985 to 1987.  

From 1987 until his retirement in 1997, Williamson worked with all phases of the Ritenour Adult Education and Community Education programs, including the GED program that leads to a high school equivalency certificate.

His innovative counseling made him a leader in school counseling regionally and throughout Missouri  He was elected president of both the St. Louis Suburban School Counselor Association and Missouri School Counselor Association.  He also was named St. Louis Suburban Counselor of the Year, Missouri Counselor of the Year and was Missouri’s nominee for National Counselor of the Year.

His greatest satisfaction is running into former students who say, “If it hadn’t been for your encouragement, I’d never have finished high school,” or “My family couldn’t pay for college.  The scholarship you helped me get changed my life.”

Williamson and his wife, Patty, now split their time between Overland and their eight-months-a-year home in Door County, Wisconsin, where he works as a substitute teacher in the local school district with 600 students in grades K-12.  Patty was Ritenour’s first full-time public relations professional, serving the district from 1966 - 1978. They have three children (one deceased), nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Sgt. 1^st Class (SFC) Cory Remsburg, a former Army Ranger, is known nationwide as one of the many faces of United States wounded warriors. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan in October 2009, SFC Remsburg has made a remarkable recovery through hard work, perseverance and the loving support of his family. He was a guest of former President Barack Obama at the annual State of the Union Address in 2014, where he received the longest standing ovation of the evening.  His amazing story has been featured in the media hundreds of times in the past four years.

SFC Remsburg was born in Phoenix, Ariz., but spent his elementary and high school years in Overland, Mo.  He graduated from Ritenour High School in 2001, where he was a self-proclaimed band geek.  He participated in the school’s marching band, orchestra and jazz band, and also belonged to the German Club and played on the varsity volleyball team. SFC Remsburg was active in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol program in high school, as well. He has fond memories of his “shenanigans” in band and orchestra class and of his favorite teacher, Hadley Haux.

After graduation, SFC Remsburg enlisted in the U.S. Army and became an Army Ranger. He was stationed in Savannah, Ga., where he served with the 1^st Ranger battalion for more than seven years. Maj. Gen. Richard D. Clark describes him as an “exceptional soldier and a model citizen,” as well as “one of the most intelligent, fun-loving and gregarious soldiers in the entire organization.” He deployed 10 times during the Global War on Terrorism and was critically injured in October 2009. Some of the many awards SFC Remsburg has earned include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Throughout his long journey to recovery, SFC Remsburg has been a symbol of hope and courage for other injured veterans and everyone he meets. He actively participates in local, state, national and international events, inspiring others to “keep pushing on” when challenged by personal events. SFC Remsburg has shown his heroism time and again – whether through his selfless service in Iraq and Afghanistan, or through the incredible effort he continues to pour into his rehabilitation. Now, he is a hero to people around the world as he uses his experiences to lift others up and show them that anything is possible. SFC Remsburg displays grace, humility and a sense of humor in everything he does, and we are proud to welcome him to the Ritenour Hall of Fame.

Lemuel Leroy Brock is the Command Sergeant Major of the Joint Communication Support Element for the United States Army. He has held every leadership position, including the senior enlisted advisor for the Joint Enabling Capability Command, and is the highest enlisted rank in the Army, a distinction achieved by only 0.8 percent of soldiers that enlist in the U.S. Army.

CSM Brock was an accomplished athlete in high school and was named Ritenour Athlete of the Year in 1979. He graduated that same year and would later marry his high school sweetheart, Lori. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1986, where he quickly rose through the ranks. He attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Ky., and Advance Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Ga., graduating as a Signal Support Systems Specialist.

Peers commend CSM Brock for his integrity, leadership skills and vast accomplishments within the U.S. Army. In his strong recommendation of CSM Brock, Col. Pharissee Berry explains it best: “A Soldier who reaches the highest enlisted rank the United States Army has to bestow upon an individual, Command Sergeant Major, has proven his worth as a competent leader of men and women, and has earned the respect of those he has led and of the General Officers he has advised over the years.” A leader is measured by the accomplishments of the people he cared about and mentored, and CSM Brock led hundreds of soldiers on the path of success in the military, instilling in them the importance of character growth and community involvement.

While in the military, CSM Brock represented the best of St. Louis and the Ritenour School District in 20 countries. He culminated 30 years of military service with 12 assignments ranging from Europe, Korea, Southwest Asia and the United States. During the course of his career, he was awarded three Bronze Stars for his meritorious service in addition to the 25 other awards and decorations he received.  He demonstrated a continuing commitment to professional growth by completing two master’s degrees after earning a bachelor’s degree along with six military courses during his career.

Above all else, CSM Brock is a caring father and husband. In spite of his great personal success, CSM Brock remains humble, never failing to dedicate his time and resources to friends, family and community. He sets the bar high for future generations of Ritenour graduates.

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Brian Haley is a three-time GRAMMY Award-winning musician in Christian artist TobyMac’s band, DiverseCity. He is also a motivational speaker, addressing large crowds before performances and spreading his message of love and unity to various groups ranging from students to NBA and NFL teams. 

Haley graduated from Ritenour High School in 1991, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. During his senior year, the Huskies took first place in the Suburban North Conference for basketball with a 19-4 record. Haley used his gift for leading and encouraging others throughout his high school sports career, often leading his team in prayer before games.

Haley began his musical journey at a young age when he started playing drums for his church. He continued playing in the church band through high school. After graduation, Haley played basketball for a year at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley before going back to his musical roots and moving to Nashville, Tenn. to pursue music full time. There he played for many artists such as CeCe Winans, Dr. Bobby Jones, The Clark Sisters, Ben Tankard, TLC, SWV, Donnie McClurkin, and many more before joining TobyMac’s  DiverseCity band. 

During his time with DiverseCity, Haley discovered his passion for motivational speaking. He has managed to combine his love for music, his talent for encouraging others and his passion for sports by becoming the motivational speaker and road sports coordinator for his band. He excels at creating a sense of team and community with his band mates. 

Haley now doubles as a drummer and professional motivational speaker, engaging sold-out stadiums across the world. His desire to unify a broken world led him to initiate the “We Are 1 Movement,” a movement with the goal of bringing unity to the world and promoting the message, “We are better, stronger, and faster together.” All profits from Haley’s “We Are 1” clothing line go directly toward helping people in need.

It should come as no surprise that Haley’s closest friends and colleagues agree that his hard work and dedication have earned him his place in the Ritenour Hall of Fame. His humility, talent, drive and ability to relate to others makes Haley a role model for current Ritenour students. His advice to high school students is to be different and stand out. “Everyone wants to fit in,” says Haley, “but the stand-outs are the ones who are not afraid to be who they are. That’s how you truly make a difference.”

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Dr. Steven Herrmann is a world-class cardiologist in Bradford, Pa. Aside from countless awards, grants and peer-reviewed publications, what makes Dr. Herrmann truly stand out in the eyes of his colleagues is his unique ability and willingness to teach his skills to others as a mentor and teacher to colleagues and medical students alike.

A 1979 graduate of Ritenour High School, Dr. Herrmann excelled in the classroom and on the field. He was the MVP of his freshman track team at Ritenour Jr. High, achieved an Honorable Mention in the Suburban North Conference Football Team as a senior in high school, and was selected for the First Team Suburban North Conference Baseball Team that year, leading the State of Missouri in home runs for the Thoman-Boothe American Legion baseball team. He was a member of the National Honor Society and was ranked in the top four magna cum laude in his graduating class.

Dr. Herrmann went on to receive his Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Washington in 1991, where he trained under Eric Feigl, M.D., one of the most famous scientists in the field of coronary artery physiology in the world. He received his M.D. cum laude from Saint Louis University in 1995. Two years later, while still completing his residency in cardiology, Dr. Herrmann began teaching a cardiology course at Saint Louis University. His unique style of teaching resonated with faculty and students, and he inspired a number of his students to go into the field of cardiology. He received Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Division of Cardiology “Teacher of the Year” award each year from 2002-2005, Teacher of the Year in internal medicine at Saint Louis University from 2003-2005, and received the distinguished teacher award from Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Dr. Herrmann is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Adult Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology. After holding a number of positions at St. Louis University including director of Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, co-course director of Cardiovascular Physiology and assistant professor of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dr. Herrmann moved to Pennsylvania where he became the director of Cardiovascular Services at Bradford Regional Medical Center. He is currently the Eastern Regional director for Cardiac Care for UPMC Hamot Heart and Vascular Institute in Erie, PA. His pride and joy, daughter Stefanie, is a physician assistant in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Hermann is listed in “Who’s Who” in Academic Medicine, and is a member of the International Society of Cardiology’s Top Cardiologists in the World since 2009. He has also been on the Consumer Research Council’s Best Cardiologists in USA list from 2009 to 2015 and has been on numerous other Top Doctor lists throughout his career.  He has published 19 abstracts, 13 peer-reviewed articles and many text book chapters.

Colleagues praise Dr. Herrmann for his professionalism and compassion. His success is marked not only by his personal achievements, but also the accomplishments of students and peers he has mentored along the way, and the patients who owe their lives to his dedication to medicine.

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Karin Marie Jacoby is senior counsel at the law firm of Husch Blackwell. She is a registered professional engineer and licensed attorney, practicing in the area of water management, including levee safety and flood protection. She is highly regarded in her field and has been appointed to national committees to make recommendations to Congress and the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).   

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1981, Jacoby went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at University of Missouri at Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) four years later. Having spent nine years as a design engineer and project manager in St. Louis, she then relocated and worked for the Kansas City, Mo. Public Works and Water departments for the next 14 years, receiving numerous awards and recognitions for her achievements.  There she obtained her Master of Public Administration at University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1999 and her juris doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2006, passing the Bar exam that same year.

Jacoby’s current position at Husch Blackwell combines her engineering experience and legal education.  In her career, Jacoby has directed a $600 million waterways development and flood damage-reduction program, prepared a levee-system improvement plan for a district along the Missouri River, managed a number of large-scale multi-purpose projects and has done engineering for public and private site developments. She has co-authored three publications on levees and civil engineering.

Jacoby has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours. For the past 15 years she’s served  as the executive director of the Missouri and Associated Rivers Coalition (MOARC) , a long-standing regional organization with the mission of promoting conservation and beneficial use of water-land resources, and is serving a third term on the Board of the National Waterways Conference. She helped to establish the American Public Works Association Water Resources Management Committee and also Kansas City River Trails, a local nonprofit guiding development and implementation of the bi-state Riverfront Heritage Trail and its Public Art Master Plan.  Jacoby also directs the law firm’s pro bono Neighborhood Partner Program focused on helping the Historic Manheim Park Association with its community revitalization.

Jacoby was honored by the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis as Young Engineer of the Year in 1993.  In Kansas City, she was a Women Firsts Honoree in 1999, recognized for being the first female Section Manager in the City Engineer’s office, and in 2005 named as one of five “People to Watch” by the Kansas City Star. Following Hurricane Katrina, she was appointed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army to serve on the congressionally established National Committee on Levee Safety for which she received the Commander’s Award for Public Service from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2009. She was inducted in to the Missouri University of Science and Technology Academy of Civil Engineers in 2015, and from the Kansas City Industrial Council she received their Progress Award for Improving Waterways.

Jacoby loves the outdoors, fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.  She is known for her adventurous spirit and commitment to encouraging others to fulfill their potential. Friends commend Jacoby for her ambition, passionate concerns for the environment and loyalty to friends and family. She is a role model who knows how to balance her professional and personal lives while making a difference in her community.

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Ken Crowder dedicated nearly 40 years to the Ritenour School District, where he taught eighth grade American History and Civics to more than 4,500 students at Ritenour Middle School.  After retiring in 2010, he has remained an active member of the Overland community through his volunteer work.  

Crowder graduated from Mercy High School in University City, Mo. in 1967. He is a lifelong resident of Overland and still lives in the house where he grew up. Crowder began his Ritenour journey at Ritenour Middle School in 1972. Former students remember him for his patriotism and his passion for sharing his love of country with his students. It became a tradition for him to play, “Proud to Be an American” for each class on the last day of school and shake every student’s hand. His students still talk about the swell of pride they felt as they reflected on what that song and that moment meant to them.

Crowder made an effort to build a relationship with all of his students. He had a knack for getting even the most challenging students to open up and reach their potential in his class. Beyond the curriculum, he instilled self confidence in his students and taught them the importance of hard work and building relationships. Crowder demonstrated his own hard work and dedication by missing only one day of school in his entire career.

Each year, Crowder’s students completed hands-on learning projects for their American History class to bring history to life. From building Native American teepees to creating wagon wheel replicas, students worked together to create new masterpieces every year that would occasionally be put on display in the community. Crowder’s homeroom students looked forward to the yearly tradition of being delivered hamburgers from Chuck-A-Burger by a fleet of classic cars to celebrate the end of the school year.

In 2002, Crowder received the Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year Award from Ritenour Middle School. The following year he was a candidate for Missouri Teacher of the Year.

Always finding new ways to serve his students and community, Crowder founded the district’s annual food drive. He is Chairman of the Overland Neighborhood Preservation Commission, and he is on the Overland Police Pension Board and the Overland Business Association Board. He was also appointed to the Overland Planning and Zoning Commission.

Crowder’s influence has reached every corner of the Overland community, and his commitment to his teaching profession is unsurpassed by any Ritenour teacher. He has spent a lifetime making the Ritenour community a better place, making him highly deserving of the district’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

John Moore
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award

John Moore was a staff member at Ritenour High School for 33 years.  He is most widely known for his career as a wrestling coach at the high school, during which time his teams dominated the state of Missouri as they won 14 consecutive state titles beginning in 1948 through 1961.  That makes Ritenour High School fourth nationwide as having the longest wrestling championship streak.  He passed away in April 2001, but his memory lives on at the Ritenour football field bearing his namesake. 

After graduating from the University of Missouri, Moore served as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.  He received a Silver Star for his service in Okinawa during World War II before returning home and getting a job as a physical education instructor and wrestling, football and track coach in Ritenour.  Despite knowing very little about the fundamentals of wrestling, Moore caught on quickly by attending clinics and bringing in people who could demonstrate techniques to the boys Moore could not teach them himself.  Moore became engrossed with the sport and went on to turn many talented young men into true competitors.  He coached 56 individual state wrestling champions, and his teams won many conference championships.

Friends and former wrestlers under Coach Moore say he was an incredible coach who knew how to get the most out of his athletes.  Practices were long and intense, but his wrestlers often could not get enough of the sport, and, after practice, many would go straight to the YMCA to practice some more.  Moore was the first wrestling coach to be inducted into the Missouri High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

In 1966, Moore ended his coaching career and continued to serve Ritenour High School students as a teacher, athletic administrator and assistant principal until he retired in 1981.  The athletic directors of the Suburban North League presented him with a plaque in appreciation of his 27 years of service in 1974.  In 1981, the Missouri House of Representatives honored Moore with the Resolution Silver Scroll in recognition of his achievements as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator.  That same year he received a distinguished service award from the Missouri State High School Activities Association.  In 1993, Moore was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.

Wrestling was not Moore’s only area of success when it came to Ritenour athletics.  He also excelled in coaching football from 1950 to 1966.  Ritenour Stadium was named John Moore Field in his honor in 1983.  In 2009, Moore was inducted into the Missouri Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. That same year, he was also posthumously given the 2009 Lifetime Service Award.  Today, Ritenour athletics programs continue to honor Moore’s legacy through the hard work and dedication of Ritenour students and coaches.
 

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Steven Cash
Class of 2007

Steve Cash is a two-time gold medalist for the U.S. Paralympics Sled Hockey Team. He has been the goaltender for Team USA since 2005 and was the goaltender of the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA) Blues Sled Hockey Team from 2004 to 2013. Overcoming childhood cancer and a partial leg amputation, Cash has never let anything hold him back from reaching his dreams.

Steve Cash was a star hockey player from an early age. When he was just 14 years old, he began playing goalie for the DASA St. Louis Blues Sled Team.  Within one year, he was invited to try out for the U.S. National Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, where he won the Bronze Medal in Torino, Italy at the age of 15.  Cash graduated from Ritenour High School in 2007 after a successful year as captain of the varsity inline hockey team.  That year, he helped lead the team to a second-place finish in the Division II state championship.  In 2010, Cash did not allow a single goal at the Vancouver Paralympics, thus setting a world record and securing his first of two gold medals for Team USA.  He was honored as Top Goalie at the 2010 Paralympics.

On top of his three Paralympic medals, during the course of his career, Cash has won a gold, silver and bronze World Cup medal and multiple World Championship medals, including three gold.  In 2010 he won ESPN’S ESPY award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability.  That same year, he was also awarded the USA Hockey Disabled Athlete of the Year award and was chosen as the U.S. Olympic Committee’s March Athlete of the Month.  He helped the Blues win two adult sled hockey championships in 2012 and 2013.

When he’s not setting world records, Cash spends time pursuing his degree in business administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he also played hockey from 2007 to 2009. He is set to graduate in the fall of 2015.  He is a St. Louis Ambassador for Shriner’s Hospitals and also volunteers at the Disabled Athlete Sports Association in St. Louis. He regularly provides words of inspiration to children diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Cash currently resides in St. Louis.  He serves on the Ritenour Pride and Promise Board of Directors and has helped give back to Ritenour in several ways.  He is an inspiration to all who meet him.
 

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Matt Flener
Class of 2000

Matt Flener is a four-time, Emmy-winning anchor and reporter at Hearst Television in Kansas City, Mo., and is the weekday morning news anchor for KMBC-TV/KCWE-TV.  Through his high standards of ethical journalism, he has quickly become the voice of the people, advocating for victims of tragedy and holding the powerful accountable. He is a skilled public speaker and has emceed dozens of community events and fundraisers, including Ritenour’s Hall of Fame Ceremony on many occasions.

As a Ritenour High School student, Flener was active in extracurricular activities.  He played football and baseball all four years, was on the debate team and performed in musicals.  After graduating in 2000, Flener earned his Bachelor of Journalism, Radio, Television and Digital Communication from University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003. He went on to receive his Master of Arts in Media Management in 2008. 

From 2002 to 2007, Flener worked for KOMU-TV Columbia as an anchor, reporter, videographer and producer.  He earned his first Emmy Award there in 2005, contributing to the station’s Overall News Excellence entry.  After spending the next six years in Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colo., as an anchor and reporter, Flener took his current job at Hearst Television in Kansas City, Mo. 

As a broadcast journalist, Flener has reported on many compelling world events.  He was the first on the scene of the tragic Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting, and he reported from the scene of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.  In 2014 he returned to St. Louis to report after the civil unrest in Ferguson, focusing many of his stories on the positive side of Ferguson and the St. Louis community.

On top of his four Emmy Awards, Flener has won the distinguished Edward R. Murrow Award for writing, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism, and awards from the Missouri Broadcasters Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Missouri State Teachers Association.

Flener enjoys giving back to his community and teaching high school students the foundations of ethical journalism.  As the Dean of Journalism for The American Legion Missouri Boys State, Flener leads high school seniors through daily production of a newspaper, TV broadcast and radio broadcast, along with social media updates about the youth government leadership program. He has served the Boys State program in various ways since he was a citizen in 1999.  Flener also volunteers with numerous charities around the Kansas City metro area, including the United Way, the Dream Factory and the American Stroke Foundation.  He is also active in his church, Liberty Christian Fellowship.

Flener resides in Kansas City, Mo., with his wife Carrie and three kids, Grace, Alyssa and Chase.
 

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Mark Griffard
Class of 1976

Mark Griffard has been a television sports camera operator since 1987 and is widely considered one of the premier national sports cameramen in the country. Griffard is the Emmy winning talent behind the camera at major sporting events like the Super Bowl, World Series, Pro Bowl and the Masters. 

As a sophomore in high school, Griffard wrestled on the varsity team that went on to win the 1974 state wrestling championship. After graduating from Ritenour in 1976, Griffard earned his Bachelor of Mass Communications and Marketing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1980. 

Griffard started his career at Continental Cablevision in 1981, as a member of their Local Origination staff.  In 1983 he was hired by Cencom Cable Television as their Studio Production Manager. For 10 years he worked in all phases of television production, including video, audio mixing, graphics, lighting, studio and remote camera operation.  During that time he also freelanced for a number of stations, including KETC-TV (PBS) in St. Louis.  He currently operates cameras for ESPN, ABC Sports, NBC Sports, Fox Sports and Fox Sports Midwest.  He has shot everything from NBA and college basketball to NHL Hockey and Saturday night college football.  He is known as one of the most valuable and talented camera operators for St. Louis Cardinals Baseball and NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Friends and colleagues commend Griffard’s strength of character, creativity and friendly demeanor.  He’s the kind of person you can depend on for a smile, and he always makes everyone around him feel welcome and important.  Despite his incredible success, Griffard displays humility and gratitude in all he does.  He loves to have fun and make others laugh.

Griffard is a family man who always made time for his children’s sporting events and school activities, despite the challenges of being a single father with a busy career through much of his children’s lives.  He is a strong and loving role model for his children, all three of whom are now attending college.

Griffard currently resides in Bridgeton with his wife Dawn.
 

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Matthew D. Shank, Ph.D.
Class of 1979

Dr. Matthew D. Shank grew up in Overland and graduated from Ritenour High School in 1979 after a successful academic and athletic career.  In high school, he took part in orchestra and lettered in both soccer and baseball his junior and senior years.  Off the field, he was inducted into the National Honor Society.  His achievements on the field and in the classroom set the precedent for a lifelong career of strong leadership. 

Dr. Matthew D. Shank is currently the president of Marymount University in Arlington, Va.  Shank has already made huge strides for the university.  He has improved the athletic program, the undergraduate student retention rate and has created numerous community connections with academic programs.  In recognition of his focus on preparing students for the globalized environment of the 21st century, Dr. Shank received the 2012 Global Education Leadership Award from the World Affairs Council in Washington, D.C. 

Dr. Shank is active in community and business organizations, serving on the boards of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Arlington Community Foundation, the Catholic Business Network of Northern Virginia, American University in the Emirates (Dubai), the World Affairs Council, Bishop O’Connell High School, Dominican Retreat House and Leadership Arlington. He is an ex-officio member of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and a community advisor to the Arlington Free Clinic and Arlington Public Schools.

In the academic community, he serves on the boards of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, and the Washington Research Library Consortium. Most recently, Dr. Shank was named to the NCAA Presidential Advisory Group.  As Marymount’s president, Dr. Shank is also a member of many academic organizations, including the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Before coming to Marymount, Dr. Shank served for three years as dean of the School of Business Administration and professor of Marketing at the University of Dayton. Prior to joining the University of Dayton, he was a faculty member at Northern Kentucky University and chaired the Department of Management and Marketing.  During the 2003-04 academic year, he served as an American Council on Education Fellow, assigned to the Office of the Chancellor at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Shank has also held academic appointments at the University of Mississippi and Southern Illinois University.  He started his career on the corporate side by working as a marketing research manager at Maritz Inc. 

An accomplished scholar, Dr. Shank has published numerous articles, presented at many conferences, and is the author of the book, Sports Marketing: A Strategic Perspective (5th Edition). He has consulted with over 75 organizations in the areas of marketing research, strategic planning, and marketing strategy.  Dr. Shank holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he will be receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award in September.

Dr. Shank has always made service to others a priority. Those who know Dr. Shank best agree that his enthusiasm and positivity, insightful nature and sense of fairness make him a leader worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Lee Engert
Lifetime Achievement Award 

Lee Engert touched the lives of thousands of Ritenour students over the course of his 35-year career as a teacher, mentor and coach at Ritenour High School from 1953 to 1988.

Best known throughout the Ritenour community as a baseball coach at the high school, Engert finished his 17-year tenure as the head baseball coach in 1975 with two state championships and 14 Suburban North titles under his belt.  He had a career record of 329 wins and 102 losses, and coached two future major league baseball players, Jerry Reuss and Ron Hunt. 

Although Engert is often remembered for his success in coaching baseball, he also coached football and basketball.  In the classroom, he taught biology, driver’s education, health and physical education.  He sponsored Ritenour’s student council and was also assistant principal for two years under Dr. George Chapman.  Former students and players agree that he didn’t just teach them the basics of biology or the fundamentals of the game; he taught them life lessons in responsibility, self respect and sportsmanship.  Engert had a lasting impression on his students because he cared about them and wanted to help shape them into men and women of honor and integrity.

Prior to his time at Ritenour High School, Engert served in the U.S. Marine Corp after graduating from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis in 1947.   He continued to coach baseball at the junior college level after leaving Ritenour and finished his coaching career after 40 years of baseball leadership. 

Engert is no stranger to Hall of Fame ceremonies, as he is a member of the Valparaiso (Indiana) University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and the Missouri High School Coaches Hall of Fame.  In 1973, he was named the NCAA High School National Baseball Coach of the Year.  He has also enjoyed success in his personal life.  He has been happily married to his wife, Joy, for more than 50 years.  They have three daughters – Renee, Colette and Suzette. 

At the start of the new millennium, Ritenour High School celebrated Engert’s outstanding career by naming the baseball field in his honor.  At alumni events, his name often comes up in conversation as former students discuss the positive impact he had on their lives.  A number of Ritenour Hall of Fame inductees have even asked Engert to present them at the annual ceremony.  It is only fitting that Lee Engert take his place in Ritenour history as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

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William Arthur Sullins Jr.
Class of 1956

William “Bill” Sullins has led a successful banking career in St. Louis, helping many local businesses flourish along the way through his wise advice and guidance.  Friends know him as a loving family man who is devoted to his faith, serving his community, and enjoying golf and travelling.

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1956, Sullins went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees from Washington University in 1960.  He began his illustrious banking career at Boatman’s National Bank in St. Louis, and while there also earned a graduate degree from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Banking in 1970.  After 15 years at Boatman’s, he joined Commerce Bank in 1975, where he remained until retiring in 2003. 

Early in his career with Commerce, Sullins became CEO of numerous acquired banks in St. Louis.  As Vice Chairman of Commerce Bancshares, he was responsible for lending in the St. Louis region, and had administrative and lending responsibilities for outstate regions in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.   The Human Resources function for the holding company reported directly to Sullins, and he was responsible for 1,600 employees.  During Sullins term as Vice Chairman, Commerce Bank became the largest hometown bank in St. Louis, and Commerce Bancshares grew to over $5 billion in assets. 

Friends of Sullins say he always has a smile on his face, and he lives to serve others.  Through the years, he has been actively involved on civic boards and task forces including the United Way, BJC Health Systems, Christian Hospital, the Saint Louis Art Museum and Junior Achievement as well as a number of other charities and organizations.  He inspired young people through the Junior Achievement program in St. Louis by introducing them to the fundamentals of business and economics.  Sullins also served as senior warden of The Church of St. Michael and St. George.

Sullins was a founding member of the Ritenour Pride and Promise Foundation, contributing his time, wisdom and resources to building it from the ground up.  When he’s not dedicating time to his community, he satisfies his wanderlust by travelling the world with his wife, Ann.  Sullins’ strong leadership skills, philanthropic nature and gentle, steadfast personality have led to his successful balance of career, community and family life.  He is the ideal role model for future generations of Ritenour students.
 

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Stephen Trauth
Class of 1970

Stephen Trauth is an accomplished West Point graduate, retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and is currently a senior systems engineer at Assurance Technology Corp.  Trauth credits his success to God’s blessings, the love and support of his family and the contributions of many selfless people to his personal and professional life.

In his Ritenour days, he was a three-time State Wrestling Champion and the first Missouri wrestler to become a Scholastic Wrestling News All-American.  After graduating from Ritenour in 1970, he continued wrestling at West Point, lettered in wrestling and soccer and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class in 1974. In 2013, Trauth was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Trauth served 20 years as an Army officer, retiring in 1994.  While in the Army, Trauth demonstrated that he was a man of many talents and passions.  He was an Airborne Ranger, West Point Physical Education instructor, assistant coach for Army varsity wrestling and tennis teams, physical trainer for the USA Special Olympics team, and an Armored Cavalry and Intelligence officer at assignments around the world. Among his military awards, he received the Legion of Merit.   

Since retiring, Trauth has been a military consultant and systems engineer.  He has authored professional articles in military and technical publications. Trauth specialized in the design of advanced military command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and national agencies. He has received several awards from military commanders and the Department of Defense for his contribution to our military warfighting capabilities. 

Trauth has been blessed with a wonderful wife, two sons and a daughter. His greatest joys have come as a husband and father. He and his wife, Heidi, were active members of Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church for 18 years.  Trauth has always been guided by his faith, as evidenced through the numerous Christian leadership roles he has taken on since high school.  He led Bible studies at West Point, and continued to lead military Bible studies worldwide.  He was a local and regional leader for Officers’ Christian Fellowship.  Today, he and his wife are known for their efforts to serve their church community.

Trauth’s genuine demeanor and loyalty have earned him lifelong friendships and respect in his community.  Friends talk about his character, his strong sense of morals, his intelligence and his faith in God.  He is always looking for ways to nurture friendships and give back to his community.  In retrospect, God destined and equipped Trauth to serve. His leadership and service to our country have earned him a place in the Ritenour Hall of Fame. 
 

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Glenn “Chuck” Westover
Class of 1964

Glenn "Chuck" Westover has led a life of public service, highlighted by his illustrious teaching career. He is praised for his ability to instill a love of science in his students and for his passion and boundless energy. Westover has promoted science education locally, regionally and nationally, establishing a reputation as an outstanding science teacher among his peers and students.

Westover graduated from Ritenour High School in 1964. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1968 at Southeast Missouri State University, followed by his Master of Education in 1975 at University of Missouri-St. Louis. He began teaching science in 1968 and retired in 2003.

Through the years, Westover received many awards and accolades recognizing his excellence in teaching. He always strived to improve the learning and teaching of science, and he was ranked in the top1 percent of teachers in the nation. Among his many personal and professional awards, Westover received the National Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching from the President of the United States, the National Science Foundation and The National Association of Science Teachers, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Missouri from the National Association of Biology Teachers, the Radio Shack National Teacher Award, and the Outstanding Science Teacher Award from the Academy of Science of St. Louis. He was a four-time recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, where he was also a Teacher of the Year finalist. Aside from teaching, he also received the United States Army Commendation Medal for "Exceptional Meritorious Service" in 1972.

Outside of the classroom, Westover kept busy with a number of professional development activities. He participated in various science teaching outreach programs with Monsanto, Washington University, University of Missouri St. Louis, and others. He also presented and participated in many local and national conventions during his career.

Westover has been married to his wife Barbara for 37 years, and they have three children - Leah, Linda and Zach. His family took part in the Youth for Understanding exchange program, hosting a total of 12 exchange students from all over the world. He was also a Boy Scout Troop leader, and volunteered hundreds of hours accompanying students on outdoor adventures ranging from camping and canoeing to spelunking and rock climbing. He also served as the faculty sponsor/coach for the McCluer North High School "Odyssey of the Mind" team which competed nationally in competitions in creative problem solving.

In retirement, Westover continues to give back to the community and do what he does best: educate children. He has been an Oasis tutoring volunteer in the Ferguson-Florissant School District and is a volunteer in the St. Louis Zoo Docent program. He has touched the lives of countless students through his passionate teaching style, and Ritenour is proud to bring him home to his alma mater to recognize his accomplishments.

Kevin M. McCauley, Ph.D.
Class of 1994

Ever since he was a child, Kevin McCauley has had a tireless passion for scientific discovery.  Whether he was 6 years old experimenting with a jar of pond water in the refrigerator or an adult developing several of his own patents, McCauley has always been driven to push the envelope and answer the “what if” questions.

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1994, McCauley received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Southeast Missouri State followed by his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 2003.  He completed his training as a post-doctoral fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Currently, McCauley works for Bridgestone as an  industrial chemist.  His responsibilities include organizing research projects, advising attorneys  on the scientific content of patents, recruiting and training new chemists, and developing protocols to improve health and safety for all employees. He has filed multiple  patents and has authored articles for several chemistry journals.

Throughout his success, McCauley has remained humble and committed to giving back to the community.  He is Bridgestone’s first scientist to be accepted into  Torchbearers, a young professional  group focused on leadership and community service  in Akron, Ohio.  His community involvement includes being active in the Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies, Akron Section of the American Chemical Society, the Greater Akron  Chamber’s Young Professional Network, and the Young Professionals of Akron, among others.  In everything he does, he demonstrates genuine concern for his peers and has a rare ability to make everyone he comes in contact with feel valued and appreciated.

McCauley has had a heart for animals since his high school days when he worked at the Rock Road Animal Hospital.  He continues his commitment to animal welfare by serving on the Board of Directors of PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron and recently adopted two rescue greyhound dogs, P.K. and Andy.

McCauley won numerous awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health in 2004 and the President’s Award from Bridgestone in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012.  He is a goal-oriented achiever, and his distinctive accomplishments have earned him his place in the Ritenour Hall of Fame.
 

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George Anthony "Tony" Taylor
Class of 1983

George Anthony “Tony” Taylor, General Counsel /Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer for SeaWorld Entertainment, is described by many as ethical, conscientious, astute and humble.  His hard work and easy demeanor have helped him rise through the ranks in various jobs leading up to his current position in the highest tier of management in SeaWorld Entertainment, a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.  SeaWorld operates 11 theme parks in the United States, cares for the world’s largest zoological collection, has rescued over 22,000 ill, injured, abandoned or orphaned animals, and employs over 23,000 employees.

Taylor graduated from Ritenour High School in 1983.  He completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri, St. Louis in 1987, and he received his Juris Doctorate from Washington University in 1990.  Over the next several years, he rose to the level of partner with the law firm of Blumenfeld, Kaplan and Sandweiss (now Stinson Morrison).  He left to join the General Counsel’s Office at Anheuser-Busch Companies, where he helped close some of the biggest sports marketing deals for the company.  He also worked on the Anheuser-Busch merger with InBev and was the lead counsel in the sale of Busch Entertainment Corporation (which included the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks) to the Blackstone Group.  Thereafter, he sought sunnier skies in Orlando Florida, where he now resides with his wife, Joy, and their three beautiful children.

Currently, Taylor is a member of SeaWorld’s senior-most management and oversees the Legal Department, Risk Management and Corporate Affairs operations which also include: Industry & Governmental Affairs; Corporate Communications; Public Relations; Marketing Communications; Community Affairs; Corporate Social Responsibility and management of the Company’s role in the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.  Despite his heavy workload, Taylor remains a dedicated and grounded family man.

Through his selfless dedication to several community projects, Tony Taylor has had a direct impact on Ritenour High School and its students.  Taylor has always been mindful of the needs of others, especially those in his hometown.  His passion for helping others led him to co-found The Anthony Armstrong 88 Foundation, a St. Louis charity named in memory of his friend and fellow 1983 Ritenour graduate,  that has awarded dozens of scholarships to students, offering them the priceless opportunity to participate in learning at higher levels.

One colleague described Taylor as “one of those people you run across every so often, if you’re lucky, that adds value to every dimension of your life.”  For a man who has dedicated his life to bettering himself and others, there is no higher praise. 
 

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Bill Wessler
Class of 1958

Bill Wessler is a Ritenour Husky through and through.  After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1958, Wessler chose to remain in his home town and has since dedicated his life to helping the Ritenour community any way he can. 

In high school, Wessler was a star athlete and helped lead Ritenour to win the baseball state championship his junior year.  He was selected by his teammates as captain of the baseball team his senior season.  He married his high school sweetheart, Jackie, and after four years as a printing apprentice in Typography at O’Fallon Technical School, Wessler became a printer with Community News of Overland, where he remained from 1958 to 1981.  Soon after, he started his own civic minded “home town” newspaper, the Localite Shopper. 

Bill Wessler has always supported the students, faculty and families in the Ritenour community.  He allows the district and community to use his newspaper to spread the word about important events, awards and accomplishments.  At no cost, he will include articles about canned food drives for Ritenour families, Overland Rotary fundraisers and awards for deserving citizens and city employees.  His loyalty, generosity and sense of humor have endeared him to the entire community.

Few can say they have maintained more lasting high school friendships than Bill Wessler.  As a lifelong supporter of the Ritenour School District, he often acts as a Ritenour historian and is happy to share fond memories of his years in the district as he has witnessed his hometown grow and change.

Inducted into the Union Printers Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 and the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990, Wessler is no stranger to awards ceremonies in his honor.  He has earned recognition for his community service efforts on multiple occasions, and has always been an asset to the Ritenour community.  Ritenour is proud to honor Mr. Wessler as the third recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Suzanne Cunningham (Black)
Class of 1981

Suzanne Cunningham, Strategic Planning Manager with NASA, does not consider herself a typical aerospace engineer.  Her list of impressive accomplishments and job titles only tells part of her story; her outgoing nature and passion for music, performance and volunteering tell the rest.

Cunningham currently works in the Kennedy Space Center Integration Office.  Among other duties, she assists in development of center-wide strategic policies and initiatives, and she also serves as the strategic planning liaison to the Air Force 45th Space Wing.   Prior to her current position, she served as a NASA Senior Technical Expert and Senior Spaceport Manager.

To top off her accomplished career, Cunningham has earned a number of prestigious awards including NASA’s Government Invention of the Year Award, Exceptional Service Medal, the Center Director’s Gold Dollar Award, a Certificate of Commendation, NASA’s You Make a Difference Award, the Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection Award, among numerous group achievement and performance awards.  She is also an active member of various Women’s and Hispanic Groups, a member of the National Space Club and Women in Aerospace. 

Cunningham completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and her Master of Science degree in Space Systems Operations from the Florida Institute of Technology.

A 1981 Ritenour graduate, Cunningham has especially fond memories of her time in high school and her participation in the musicals “Anything Goes,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Guys and Dolls.”  Her love for music and theater has since played a fulfilling role in her life.  She frequently finds ways to mix her passion for performance and public speaking with her work duties by engaging in activities such as singing the National Anthem for shuttle launches and sporting events, mentoring students and sharing the NASA story with the public. 

Cunningham resides in Cape Canaveral with her husband Phil.

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Mike Schneider
Class of 1969

Mike Schneider, class of 1969 graduate and Mayor of Overland, is a well-respected member of the community who has worked to ensure the continuing success of the Ritenour School District and surrounding area.

After graduating from Ritenour, Schneider was drafted into the United States Marine Corps.  He served his country with honor for two years – earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Star and Vietnam Campaign Medal.   His interest and knack for leadership ultimately led him to run for Mayor of Overland, a position he has held since 2007.  He was re-elected Mayor in 2010 – earning an impressive 81 percent of the vote.  He also currently works as a Dealer Developer for CK Power. 

As Mayor of Overland, one of Schneider’s major accomplishments has been to beautify the city.  Through his leadership and collaboration the city has built tennis courts, demolished derelict houses and formed the Overland Beautification Commission and the Parks, Recreation Commission and the Overland Preservation Committee.  He even brought the first Christmas tree to downtown Overland in over 50 years.  He is an active member of many local organizations – including the St. Louis County Municipal League, St. Louis County Economic Collaborative, Metro Mayors, Overland Business Association and Overland Lion’s Club.

Always prepared, Mayor Schneider has been actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America for many years.  His devotion to the scouts has not gone unrecognized, as he has received numerous awards.  His hobbies also include scuba diving.   Through his roles as troop leader and scuba instructor, Schneider has had the opportunity to share his knowledge and excitement with youth and adults alike.

Despite all of his success, Schneider is praised for his humble approach to life.  His roots are in Ritenour, and he never misses a chance to participate in major Ritenour School District events.  His enthusiasm, work ethic and integrity stand out to those who know him best. 

Mike and his wife, Jeri, live in the house where Jeri grew up in Overland.  They have two sons – Robert and Zachary and three grandchildren - Brennan, Avery and Brody.
 

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Mike Stewart
Class of 1978

Mike Stewart has been a creative force in Anheuser-Busch for the last 26 years and an asset to the Ritenour community ever since his high school career.  Ritenour High School teachers knew him as the kind of student they could depend on to contribute to student government, activities and sports.  He was always willing to lend a hand, and his unselfish spirit has led him to volunteer countless hours over the years to many different organizations.

Stewart graduated from Ritenour High School in 1978.  As a student, he was active with KRHS Radio, a member of the National Honor Society and a standout on the baseball diamond as an all-conference catcher for the Huskies.  Stewart went on to earn his degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE) in Mass Communications.  He was also the Cougars’ starting catcher for three years, attending SIUE on a partial baseball scholarship. 

Currently, Stewart serves as Manager of Advertising Production and Creative Development for Anheuser-Busch.   He manages the television and radio advertising production, among other duties.  His long career also includes positions with Busch Creative Services and Bud Sports—where he served as Executive/Coordinating Producer for the Emmy award winning St. Louis Cardinals telecasts.  Prior to his work at A-B, Stewart worked for a number of St. Louis radio and television stations, as well as national stations including ESPN and CNN.

Despite his busy full-time professional career, Stewart has always found time for the organizations he is passionate about.  After 14 years of volunteering and five years as a board member for the American Legion Boys State of Missouri, Stewart served as the Vice President/Director for 12 years.  His passion for volunteering has also led him to serve as the current Vice President for the Ritenour Pride and Promise Foundation.  He strongly supports the mission of the USO and serves as an advisory member of the Board of Directors for the USO of Missouri, Inc.

An active baseball player, Stewart continues to play in the St. Louis Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL).  He was inducted into the Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011 and the MSBL Hall of Fame in 2012. 

Stewart resides with his wife, Laurie, in St. Charles, Mo.  The couple has three children – Benjamin, Allyson and Daniel.   
 

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Clay Zigler
Class of 1979

Multi-talented teacher, journalist, baseball enthusiast and family man are all fitting titles for Clay Zigler.  A national award winning journalism teacher in the Rockwood School District, Zigler has helped many students achieve successful careers through his dedication, inspiration and passion for teaching. 

His love for journalism was cultivated by his education in Ritenour, where he was inspired by teachers who honed his talent and passion for writing.  He was a member of the Pepperbox newspaper staff for two years and broadcast on KRHS radio.  Zigler graduated in 1979 and married his high school sweetheart Bonnie seven years later.  During that time he was a producer, copywriter and engineer at local radio stations and a news reporter for the Suburban Journals.  He completed an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication from Lindenwood University in 1990 and earned a degree in English Literature from Fontbonne University in 1991.   He went on to earn a graduate degree in Media Communications from Webster University. 

Zigler landed at Rockwood Summit High School in 1995 after teaching in Kirkwood and Wright City, Mo.  There, he developed the journalism program and a science fiction curriculum.  His passion for teaching is evident in the success of his students who have won numerous national awards for publications, yearbooks, editorial cartooning and photography. In 2001 Zigler earned the Gold Key Award from Columbia University in New York for his work in scholastic journalism.

In 2006, Zigler realized his dream— starting a student-run radio station at Rockwood Summit.  Then in 2010 he was chosen to be Rockwood Summit’s Teacher of the Year and was a semi-finalist for National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year.  It is a testament to his teaching and character that his students love to come back and visit him and recant their successes since high school.

Beyond the classroom – Zigler has also served on the St. Charles Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, and is the baseball coach for his son’s little league team.

Zigler resides in New Melle, Mo., where he spends much of his time with family and friends enjoying their life-size baseball diamond built for entertaining in his backyard.  Old friends and new have been gathering there for 20 years, including many former Ritenour alumni, some of whom have graduated as far back to the class of 1966.   He and Bonnie have five children – Eric, Jacquelyn, Brian, Michelle and Daniel.   

Nancy Bracken
Class of 1969

Violinist Nancy Bracken, class of 1969, is a much respected and admired member of the world famous Boston Symphony Orchestra.  She has reached the upper echelon in her field and is truly one of Ritenour’s shining stars.

A talented musician whose success as a violinist has taken her from the halls of Ritenour High School to some of the world’s premiere concert halls, Bracken offers a testament to the power of goal oriented perseverance.

As a student at Ritenour High School, Bracken was active in the music department.  Early on, teachers noticed her unusual musical talent when she was concertmaster of the Ritenour orchestra.   Just 10 years after her graduation, she would be invited to join one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world.   During her career, Bracken has traveled the world, touring with the orchestra to Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and South America.

Prior to joining the Boston Symphony, she studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and received a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.   She was concertmaster and a soloist with the Colorado Philharmonic for two summers and played first violin in the Aspen and Grand Teton Music Festivals.  She was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra for two years.

Bracken has received many national awards and has won competitions sponsored by the  St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Artist Presentation Society of St. Louis, the Music Teachers National Association and the National Society of Arts and Letters.  She has appeared as soloist with the St. Louis Symphony and the Boston Pops Orchestra.  Bracken performs in the Boston area as a recitalist and chamber musician, plays in community outreach concerts and fund raising concerts for breast cancer research, and is a founding member of the Ashmont Hill Chamber Music concert series.

Bracken is an avid reader, thanks to some wonderful Ritenour English teachers and her mother, former Ritenour librarian Margaret Bracken.  She also loves hiking and has trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp in Nepal.  Her daughter Laura was married this month at Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony, in western Massachusetts.  Son Joey was Man of Honor.
 

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Dr. Edward Kunst
Class of 1972

Dr. Edward Kunst has a passion for the field of medicine and is at the forefront of his profession.  Known as one of St. Louis’ most knowledgeable, respected, diligent and effective physicians, Dr. Kunst personifies what it means to be a leader in medicine through his successful professional practice, sharing his knowledge with colleagues and his participation in clinical research programs.

Dr. Kunst’s distinguished career began as a student at Ritenour High School, where he was a shining star both academically and athletically, playing football and baseball for the Huskies.

After graduating in 1972 he studied at the University of Missouri, where he achieved Phi Beta Kappa honors and graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in 1976.  At the University of Missouri medical school, Dr. Kunst excelled as a leader and was selected president of his class and editor of the yearbook.  He graduated cum laude in 1980.

In 1983, Dr. Kunst established a successful internal medicine practice in the St. Louis area.  Today, he provides care for thousands of patients.   He is a physician who cares deeply about his patients and strives to seek ways to improve health care and the health care delivery system.

He and several other doctors formed Mercy Medical Group in 1994, which has grown into the largest primary care medical group in the Midwest.  Dr. Kunst has provided significant leadership and energy to the formation and growth of this premier group, which provides care to more than 375,000 patients, having served on the board of directors an unprecedented three terms.

In addition to his large private practice, he contributes through clinical research programs to increase medical knowledge.  He is on the cutting edge of new treatments and improved medical techniques, while never compromising his patients’ trust in him.  He is also a mentor to medical students and residents.

Dr. Kunst enjoys spending most of his leisure time with his family.
 

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John H. Tipton Jr.
Class of 1958

An award-winning businessman, person of high integrity and role model to others, the business success of John H. “Jack” Tipton Jr. is inspiring and exceptional.

During his illustrious career, Tipton has been a salesman, supervisor, and vice president and general manager for some of St. Louis’ most highly regarded companies.  He has also owned five businesses, and has been hired by Fortune 500 companies as a motivational speaker because of his ability to inspire people to exceed their potential.

An outstanding student and athlete at Ritenour High School, Tipton was a member of the student council, and was a standout in football, basketball and baseball.  These experiences helped him become a leader in Ritenour and lay the groundwork for his many future successes.

After graduating in 1958, Tipton accepted an athletic scholarship to LeTourneau Technical Institute in Longview, Tex., before accepting an athletic scholarship to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo.  He earned his undergraduate degree in 1963 and played baseball and basketball for the Bearcats, as a captain in both sports.

Tipton was a football coach for three years in Brookfield, Mo. before joining 3M Thermo-Fax Sales in St. Louis in 1966.  In his first year, he was the No. 1 salesman in the United States.

A year later he was promoted to sales supervisor and later accepted a position as Marketing Vice President for the American Institute of Marketing Systems.  In 1970, he was named General Sales Manager of Da-Com Corporation and rose through the company at a remarkable pace, later becoming Executive Vice President and General Manager.

Today, Tipton is semi-retired; he sold four of his five companies and now specializes as a consultant for numerous businesses.

For schools and various communities, he has helped many organizations by giving his time, knowledge, wisdom and resources.  Active in community projects, Tipton established a little league baseball program in Cedar Hill, Mo.  He also served 13 years as a school board member (including 10 years as board president) for Grandview R-2 School District in Hillsboro, Mo. and has been responsible for many fundraising activities for schools and the community.

Tipton resides on his farm in Dittmer, Mo.  He has three children, Lorie, John and Bill, along with eight grandchildren.
 

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Bob & Ann Robinson and Bill & Jackie Hurt
Handee House
Lifetime Achievement Award

For 30 years, the Handee House was an integral part of the Ritenour experience for thousands of students.  It is a unique and beloved segment of Ritenour’s illustrious history.

The Robinson and Hurt families served not only as owners, but as friends and surrogate parents for Ritenour students.  Parents knew their children were safe and supervised while they were at the Handee House.   The families had a lasting influence on the lives of generations of students.

The Handee House began as a confectionary converted from a garage.  It reportedly received its name when a customer remarked that the store would be “handy” for him because it was in the area.  However, when a local dairy company offered to paint the name and logo on the front window, the painter misspelled the word “handy.”

Opened across the street from the original Ritenour High School (now Ritenour Middle School) by Bill and Ann Robinson in 1938, a unique and symbiotic relationship was formed between the Handee House and Ritenour students.

A short time after its opening, school Principal O.W. Costilow asked the Robinson’s to serve lunch to students because the school cafeteria was too small to accommodate the booming student population.  The Robinson’s agreed to help and on the first day of classes the business was so good that the school cafeteria was nearly empty.  The Handee House served thousands hamburgers, hot dogs, hot fish sandwiches and French fries with mustard to students for the next 30 years.

In 1947, the Robinson’s sold the Handee House to Bill and Jackie Hurt, who operated it until their retirement 1968.

To the uninitiated, the Handee House offered school supplies, food, candy, a juke box and a place to gather before and after school.  In reality, the House was the fun place where Ritenour students learned to dance and even find their first boyfriend or girlfriend, all under the watchful eyes of the Robinson’s and Hurt’s.  The Handee House offered a before and after school safe haven to thousands of Ritenour students.  An estimated 15,000 students spent time there during its existence and the House still holds a special place in the hearts of many Ritenour alumni.

Bob and Ann Robinson and Bill Hurt are deceased.  They are survived by Jackie Hurt, who resides in Overland.

Warner L. Baxter
Class of 1979

Warner Baxter has reached the leadership position he is in today through hard work, diligence, and a firm educational foundation, which started in the Ritenour School District. Baxter is a true St. Louis success story – a talented individual from a humble background whose work ethic and talent helped him become president and CEO of one of the nation’s largest and best-managed utility companies. On a daily basis, he leads nearly 4,500 employees with the values of integrity, respect, accountability, stewardship, teamwork and commitment to excellence.

A 1979 Ritenour High School graduate, Baxter was a standout on the basketball team, vice president of the National Honor Society and selected as the school’s Scholar Athlete in 1979. He attended the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where he was a full-time student who excelled in the classroom, an amazing accomplishment considering he also worked to pay for his education. He earned a degree in accounting in 1983 and began a successful career with the public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked in St. Louis and New York, before joining Union Electric in 1995, now Ameren Missouri.

He has risen through the company at a remarkable pace – first as an assistant controller, then controller, executive vice president and chief financial officer and finally as President and CEO.

Outside of his work at Ameren, his commitment to professional, civic and community involvement is equally impressive. Today, he serves on the boards of the Nuclear Energy Institute, Gateway Leadership Foundation, St. Louis Sports Commission, UMB Bank Community Board, and Jazz St. Louis. He also serves on the Wyman Board of Trustees, with a passion for helping area youth develop self-confidence and preparing them for successful, fulfilling futures. Baxter is also actively involved with several other charitable organizations, including The Wellness Community of St. Louis, American Cancer Society and Food Outreach.

In addition, Baxter has made meaningful and long-lasting contributions to higher education through his involvement at the University of Missouri and the University of Missouri – St. Louis. As a member of the University of Missouri – St. Louis’ Chancellors Council (and past president) and the University of Missouri 100 Board, he has been a champion in the community for their key strategic initiatives, including enhancing their academic quality and increasing student scholarships and accessibility.

While very busy with his career, his passion remains with his family. Warner is married to his wife, Cindy (the CEO of the Baxter household), and has four wonderful children: Melissa-21, Dan-18, who both attend the University of Missouri, Kathryn-17 and Alec-13, who both attend school in the Rockwood School District. His parents and three brothers are also Ritenour graduates.
 

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Bill Chott
Class of 1987
Creative, talented, funny, generous, professional – just a few words to describe Bill Chott, an actor, comedian and teacher whose numerous accomplishments are a great source of pride for everyone in his hometown of St. Louis.

Chott, class of 1987, made his theatrical debut in Ritenour’s musicals and drama programs. He was also a disc jockey for the student radio station, involved in the school choir and a member of the National Honor Society.

He attended Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo, and continued starring in comedic and dramatic plays and musicals.

Chott received his big break after moving to Chicago in 1991, where he starred at the ImprovOlympic and earned a spot on the Second City comedy troupe. Chott toured the country with Second City and studied with comedy giants like Stephen Colbert, Steve Carrell and Tina Fey.

He has worked with some of the biggest names in show business. Just a sampling of his expansive resume includes credits in television shows CSI, ER, Monk, The Dana Carvey Show and moviesGalaxy Quest and Dude, Where’s My Car?. His voice can be heard on numerous television programs, including Saturday Night Live and the PBS series Curious George.

Chott starred as the bronze medal winning Thomas in the movie The Ringer. Currently he has a regular role on the Emmy-winning TV show Wizards of Waverly Place and appears with Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary.

Chott has worked to build a vibrant improvisational scene not only for professional actors, but for novices from all walks of life. Founding the Improv Trick on St. Louis’ Cherokee Street in 2004, he revamped the form of comedy in the Gateway City. Always an advocate for children, Chott has created special classes and just for children and families. He also offers scholarships to local youth for improv classes.

Chott is very active in supporting the Special Olympics, an organization near to his heart since starring in The Ringer with other actors with disabilities. He has organized fundraisers for the St. Louis Area Foodbank and continues to be one of Ritenour and St. Louis’s greatest ambassadors.

Chott lives part time in St. Louis and Los Angeles.
 

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Douglas Allen Katsev, MD
Class of 1977

Known as one of the world leaders in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Katsev personifies what it means to be a physician through his professional practice, sharing his knowledge with colleagues and his humanitarian service restoring sight to the underprivileged in the developing world.

Since 1990, he has been in private practice at the Sansum Clinic of Santa Barbara, Calif. He leads this large group of doctors performing more than 2,500 cataract/refractive surgeries a year. One of the highest volume eye surgeons in the state of California, Dr. Katsev has performed operations on many nationally-known celebrities – including several academy award winners, singers and sports figures.

The foundation for his successful career was established in the Ritenour School District. A standout in the classroom and athletics, Dr. Katsev was a member of the National Honor Society at Ritenour High School. He served as captain of the Huskies golf and ice hockey teams as a senior and went on to play golf for four years at Saint Louis University (SLU).

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1977, he attended SLU and earned a degree in chemistry. He was accepted to the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga. and returned to SLU for his ophthalmology residency. Dr. Katsev specialized in cornea/refractive surgery at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) as a fellow.

Throughout his career, Dr. Katsev has received numerous awards and honors and has been asked to serve on the boards of many major professional organizations. As a leading authority in ophthalmology, Dr. Katsev has made more than 90 presentations on a variety of topics at national and international medical conferences.

In addition to his professional activities, he is widely recognized for his humanitarian work with Surgical Eye Expeditions International. Since 1988, Dr. Katsev has performed thousands of sight restoring eye surgeries in developing countries around the world. In addition, he conducted extensive educational programs for ophthalmologists in those second and third world countries.

Dr. Katsev and his wife, Dr. Nina Katsev (an optometrist who graduated from UMSL), reside in Santa Barbara and have three children – daughters Cailyn (who is attending the University of California at Berkeley ) and Kiki (a freshman at UCLA), and son Blake (12 years old and all- star baseball player).
 

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Grubbs Family
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Grubbs are the founding family of Ritenour wrestling and the patriarchs of one of the most successful wrestling programs in state history. The family is instrumental in the success of Ritenour’s incredible wrestling heritage.

In the 1930′s, the oldest Grubbs boy, W.M. “Bill”, joined one of the early Ritenour wrestling teams. Parents Willard and Isabelle Grubbs became passionate supporters of the program. Little did they know their efforts would help lead to one of the most successful high school wrestling programs in the nation. Brothers Bill, Pete, Norman, Jack, Dean and Lee and their cousin Bob, were early grapplers for Ritenour. Other cousins Jim and Harry also represented the school through the Ritenour YMCA AAU team, which was closely intertwined with the school program.

They were followed by grandsons Ron Grubbs and Barry and Jay Roades. All in all, a dozen young men, all members of the Grubbs wrestling dynasty wore the orange and black for the Huskies.

No one family has ever cared for and promoted wrestling as much as the Grubbs. Before wresting was recognized as a school sport, parents Willard and Isabelle supported the Ritenour team in all possible ways, including financially and with transportation to and from meets. Early uniforms were made by Isabelle out of long underwear and trunks – dyed black and orange, of course.

Seven of the Grubbs wrestlers earned at least one state championship at Ritenour. Many won two. It is absolutely impossible to tally the number of National AAU medals which were won by the boys at tournaments all over the country with the Ritenour Y team. The family greatly contributed to the success of Ritenour’s incredible 14 consecutive-year state championship run from 1948-1961. The streak stands nationally as the second longest in the history of high school wrestling. There seldom was a time between 1936 and 1955 when there wasn’t at least one Grubbs family member on the Ritenour Wrestling team.

The Grubbs family organized and managed the Ozark AAU Wrestling Tournament, which was held for two decades at Ritenour Schools – drawing the top collegiate wrestlers from throughout the Midwest. Jack also began the first “little league” wrestling effort in the basement of the Ritenour YMCA. The result is the area-wide youth wrestling program all communities still enjoy. And the Ozark AAU meet exists to this day, now as a youth tournament for 7-15 year olds. Third generation wrestlers Barry and Jay Roades and cousin Ron Grubbs all placed in state championships for Ritenour in the 1960′s and were part of the University of Missouri Tigers wrestling program in the early years of its development.

Lee retired from coaching at Ladue High School in 2007, ending a 70-year commitment to amateur wrestling by the family.

The Grubbs family was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Missouri Chapter on Oct. 6, 2007.

Willard, Isabelle, Pete, Bill, Norman, Jack Grubbs and Barry Roades are deceased. They are survived by Bob, Dean, Lee and Ron Grubbs all who reside in St. Louis. Jay Roades, Harry and Jim Grubbs live out of state. 

Carole (Rose Ebert) Klein
Class of 1965

Growing up, Carole Rose Klein dreamed of becoming a professional musician. Not only did she make her dream into a reality – she went on to establish herself as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most respected, talented and creative musicians. Klein is a leading member of the professional musical community, serving as Personnel Manager and Contractor for several of the Bay Area’s top orchestras.

As a student at Ritenour High School, she was active in the music and drama departments. A longtime friend noted, “Carole has frequently spoken of her Ritenour experience as providing a sound base for her musicianship and as a source of encouragement to pursue her dream. Her music teachers gave her so much.”

After graduating from RHS in 1965, Klein attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She also holds a master’s degree in music performance practice, in voice and trumpet from Stanford University in California. Klein exemplifies success. Years of hard work, discipline, perseverance, determination and focus have brought her peer recognition in the Bay Area as one of its finest musicians.

She has been Personnel Manager for many orchestras – including the Mendocino Music Festival, the Fremont Symphony and the California Bach Society, among many others. In addition, Klein has been asked to contract for such touring luminaries as Rod Stewart, Mannheim Steamroller, YES, the Moody Blues and the Papal visit to San Francisco.

An active and admired free-lance trumpeter and singer, Klein has performed with the Oakland Symphony, San Jose Symphony, San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Ballet and many more. She is a founding member of the Golden Gate Brass – known as known as one of the most exciting and entertaining musical groups in the area.

Klein lives in Oakland, Calif., and also enjoys gardening and spending time with her sweetheart and their cats.
 

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Sarah Elizabeth Leen
Class of 1970

Sarah Elizabeth Leen has built a reputation as one of the most outstanding photographers and photo editors in the country today.

Leen has risen to the most prized level of photographic careers – working her way from freelance photographer to a senior photo editor for National Geographic magazine. Leen made the leap into photo editing in 2005 after a 27-year career as a freelance photographer, contributing regularly forNational Geographic. She is responsible for story concepts, budgets, photo editing and working with the design staff on layouts for the magazine.

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1970, Leen attended the University of Missouri – earning her undergraduate degree in 1974. She continued with her graduate studies at the Missouri School of Journalism. In 1979, Leen was named the College Photographer of the Year. She went on to work as a staff photographer for the Topeka (Kansas) Capital-Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer, where she received a Robert F. Kennedy Award honorable mention for a photo documentary on Alzheimer’s disease. In both 2007 and 2008 she received the First Place Magazine Editing Portfolio award from the Pictures of the Year, International contest.

As a photographer for the National Geographic Society, Leen’s published assignments have ranged from the U.S.-Canada border and the Kamchatka peninsula in Siberia to the Mexican volcano Popocatepetl and urban sprawl and energy issues in the United States. A book of her work, American Back Roads, was published by National Geographic in 2000.

Leen’s photographs also have been included in the Day in the Life series of books, as well as Women of the Material World, The Power to Heal, A Passage to Vietnam, National Geographic: The Photographs and Women Photographers at National Geographic.

Leen lives in the District of Columbia with her husband, Bill Marr, and their three cats. To view Leen’s work, visit her Web site at www.sarahleen.com.

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Dr. Giles McCoy
Class of 1943

Dr. Giles McCoy is a hero by the very definition of the word. A pillar in his community, military veteran and the driving force behind the construction of a national memorial, McCoy dedicated his life to the service of others.

Dr. McCoy grew up in St. John, Mo., and joined the Marines in 1943 to fight in World War II. He was aboard the legendary cruiser USS Indianapolis in 1945 when Japanese torpedoes struck, sinking the ship. As the ship was going down, he helped save the lives of many soldiers. The cruiser was on a top-secret mission, and had just delivered the key components to the first atomic bomb later dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.

In the Pacific Ocean, Dr. McCoy clung to part of a life raft. He was in the water for five days as sharks attacked men around him in what has been described as the worst single-incident sea disaster in U.S. naval history. Of the 1,196 men on board, only 316 survived.

Dr. McCoy was awarded two purple hearts during his illustrious military career. His heroic story is featured in many books and television programs. He was also instrumental in the exoneration of the ship’s captain, Charles McVay, who was the only captain every court-martialed after losing a ship in wartime. He worked successfully as McVay’s name was cleared by Congress in 2000.

After leaving the military, Dr. McCoy returned home and graduated from the University of Missouri Columbia and Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis. He married his sweetheart, Betty, and started a chiropractic practice in Boonville, Mo. – where he worked for 37 years until retiring in 1988.

The leader behind the creation of the USS Indianapolis National Memorial, Dr. McCoy tirelessly raised money to build the monument in Indianapolis, Ind. It was officially dedicated in 1995. He also founded the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization.

Dr. McCoy passed away on April 30, 2009 in Palm Coast, Fla., at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his sister, Elsie Woolverton.

Thomas R. Hughes
Class of 1969

Thomas R. Hughes has dedicated his life to his profession, service to his community and helping others. In 1990, he founded T.R. Hughes, Inc. and through hard work and diligence built it from a small custom homebuilder into a multi-million dollar company. T.R. Hughes is known as one of the most successful residential and commercial builders in the St. Louis area. He characterizes his business philosophy as “treating people the way you would want to be treated.”

Hughes’ generosity in the community and with his employees is unmatched in his industry. The honors he has received and the support he gives to charitable organizations are too numerous to list.

“He is so dedicated to serving the community, that he has been a role model to all of us who work with him,” one of his employees noted in a letter written to the Ritenour Hall of Fame Committee. “He inspires us every day to ‘do the right thing’ and think of others less fortunate than ourselves.”

Hughes is President of the Home Builders Association of Greater St. Louis. He has been named among the St. Louis Business Journal’s 200 Most Influential Business Leaders. Hughes also has a street and stadium in O’Fallon, Mo. named in his honor for his community-wide efforts.

In addition, his company – T.R. Hughes – has been named among the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association’s Top 50 Companies, to the Inc. Magazine’s 500 Fastest-Growing Companies and was selected one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s Best Places to Work. T.R. Hughes has been honored with the March of Dimes Building the Community Award, the Better Business Bureau World Class Customer Satisfaction Award and the City of St. Charles Employer of the Year Award.

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1969, Hughes served on the St. Charles City police force for 21 years as officer and sergeant. Hughes and his wife, Carolyn, have three children – Julie, Jason and Courtney and reside in St. Charles, Mo.
 

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Dr. Janet Mosley Ruzycki
Class of 1973
 
Dr. Janet Mosley Ruzycki is a remarkable, talented, high-achieving professional. She has dedicated her life to the well being of her young patients and remained committed to treating the children of St. Louis throughout her career.

A practicing pediatrician for more than 25 years, Dr. Ruzycki has spent the better part of her professional life at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo, where she is currently Chief of Pediatric Medicine. 

Her journey began at Ritenour High School, where Janet Mosley – then known by her maiden name – was active in the Rhythmettes, Pep Club and National Honor Society. Her days at Ritenour laid the foundation to take on leadership roles and responsibilities throughout her career. After graduating in 1973, she continued her education at Washington University in St. Louis where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry. In 1981, she earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Washington University School of Medicine.

She is known for her attention to detail and for her caring approach to the smallest of patients. As one of her colleagues remarked, “It takes a special person to be able to communicate so well with children of all ages and their parents during what can be a stressful time – doing it all with a smile.” Dr. Ruzycki looks out for the good of her patients and will go to any lengths possible to ensure their care is the best possible.

Dr. Ruzycki is well-known and well-respected in her field. She was named to St. Louis Magazine’s “Best Doctors” list in 2007 and 2008. An active member of the Washington University School of Medicine Alumni Association, she is also part of numerous medical societies and organizations and is active in her church. As part of giving back to her community, she initiated and organizes an annual luncheon for women physicians in the St. Louis area.

Dr. Ruzycki and her husband, Stephen, reside in Webster Groves and have two sons – Philip and Michael.

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Robert Scheffing
Class of 1930

Robert Scheffing was the most successful Ritenour athlete of his era. He showed amazing determination and dedication and overcame many odds to achieve his dream of playing professional baseball.

Scheffing was Ritenour’s first major league baseball player and the only graduate to become both a professional manager and general manager. A catcher, he played 517 career games for the Chicago Cubs (1941-1942 & 1946-1950), Cincinnati Reds (1950-1951) and St. Louis Cardinals (1951).

Scheffing was also there when his country needed him the most. At the age of 30, only two seasons after making it to the major leagues, he gave up three years during the prime of his career to serve in the Navy during World War II.

Following his playing career, Scheffing coached for the St. Louis Browns (1952-1953), Cubs (1954-55), and Milwaukee Braves (1960). He managed the L.A. Angels to the 1956 Pacific Coast League championship before being called upon to lead the Cubs. He served as the Cubs manager from 1957-1959 and managed the Detroit Tigers from 1961-1963.

After serving as a scout for the Mets and Tigers, Scheffing was named the New York Mets’ General Manager in 1970. Under his leadership, the Mets won the 1973 National League Championship and played in the World Series – losing to Oakland in seven games.

Known at Ritenour High School as “Little Bobby Scheffing” because of his diminutive stature, Scheffing was junior class president, editor of the Pepper Box, and played basketball and baseball.

“My father was very proud of his high school,” said his son, Robert Scheffing Jr. “He was only 5’2″ when he graduated. By prayer, hard work and exercise he grew to be 6’2″ so he could pursue his dream to play baseball. Scouts had told him he was too small. His message is simple: ‘never give up on your dreams.’”

Scheffing passed away in Phoenix, Arizona in 1985 at the age of 72. Scheffing is survived by his son, Robert Jr., two grandsons – Andy and Christopher – and a nephew, Danny.

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Dr. James E. Westbury
Class of 1945

Personable, articulate, energetic, strong, visionary – a person of impeccable integrity – those are just a few words used to describe Dr. James Westbury. Honored and respected among the educational community, Dr. Westbury has spent his career working to strengthen education in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

A teacher, coach, principal, administrator and superintendent, Dr. Westbury has spent his entire 58-year career in education. He spent 37 of those years in the Normandy School District. From 1977-1987, he served as Normandy’s superintendent of schools and was known for always putting the educational interests of the children, families and taxpayers of Normandy first.

Perhaps Dr. Westbury’s most acclaimed accomplishment was helping to establish the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 1960. As a member of the “Committee of 28″ – consisting of four administrators from Normandy and 24 citizens, Dr. Westbury assumed a leading role in advocating for and pursuing the creation of a higher education institution for the site. In 1994, he was awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Medallion for his work on the committee.

A 1945 graduate of Ritenour High School, Dr. Westbury spent two years in the Navy before earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. He earned a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University.

Dr. Westbury has been busy following his retirement from Normandy in 1987. For the past eight years he has been a member of the Special School District Board of Education – and is currently President. He served on the Vantage Credit Union Board from 1990-2006, the last seven years as Chairman. Since 1995, he has served as an adjunct professor of educational leadership at Saint Louis University. He also spent many years as a high school football official and is a volunteer for the USO at Lambert International Airport and the Rockwoods Reservation.

Dr. Westbury’s wife, Shirlee, his high school sweetheart, is a 1946 graduate of Ritenour High School. The couple resides in Wildwood, Mo. They have two children – James E. IV and Susan. Both are teachers in St. Louis County.

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Rear Admiral Charles A. Williams
Class of 1968

Rear Admiral Charles A. Williams is successful by the definition of the word – his distinguished service to his country, his career in the business world, his committed service to his community and his dedication to his family.

As Gene McNary, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission noted in a letter of recommendation, “You name it, he has probably done it – teacher, business entrepreneur, realtor, decorated naval officer, airline pilot and civic leader.”

After graduating from Ritenour High School, Rear Admiral Williams received his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University. He earned a United States Naval Commission upon completing the Aviation Officer Candidate School and later earned a masters degree in business administration from Saint Louis University. He also completed executive programs in international relations and logistics at Harvard University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Virginia.

His military honors include two Navy Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit – one of the five highest naval decorations. Following his military retirement he consulted with local business on defense issues serving as Executive Vice President of PAL Services.

Rear Admiral Williams is currently Principal of Commercial Realty Associates, a commercial real estate firm in St. Louis and President of CW Properties, LLC, a real estate development/investment holding company. The St. Louis Business Journal has recognized him as a “Heavy Hitter” in its report of the top real estate executives in the community.

Rear Admiral Williams is an active citizen and he openly gives generously and willingly of his time and talents. He is deeply interested and devoted to civic issues, having been involved in numerous educational and political efforts such as Township Committeeman in St. Louis County, Regional Commerce and Growth Association committees, Real Estate Board committees, Municipal Charter Commission, advocate for children with disabilities, author and public speaker.

He and his wife, Laurie – a retired teacher and administrator for the Ritenour School District – reside in Town & Country Mo. They have two sons – Jonathan and Ryan.

Sallie Coffman
Class of 1964

Sallie Coffman is a well respected, accomplished and highly regarded musician. Known for her outstanding talent and work, she is greatly admired and respected. Her technique and musical artistry make her one of St. Louis’ most sought-after and popular musicians.

Coffman’s illustrious musical career began to take shape in the Ritenour School District. Those who grew up with her noted, “She knew she was going to be a violinist. All of Ritenour Junior High knew she was going to be a violinist.”

At Ritenour High School her talent began to flourish. Coffman was president of the orchestra and was named to the St. Louis All-Suburban Orchestra and the All-State Orchestra. After graduating in 1964, she began her formal music education at Washington University on a full scholarship.

At the age of 19, Coffman won an audition with the Denver Symphony and was named “outstanding new member.” She returned to St. Louis in 1968 and became principal violist with the St. Louis Muny Opera Orchestra. For the past 15 years, she has been First Chair and Concertmaster at the Muny, playing for some of the most important performers in musical theater.

Coffman is founder and lead violinist for the Laclede Quartet – known as one of the highest quality classical groups in St. Louis. For nearly 30 years the quartet has been omnipresent on the St. Louis music scene. Recordings of the Laclede Quartet’s instrumental music have been performed for official functions at the White House.

An accomplished instructor, Coffman’s teaching studio has flourished. She was named the 1996-1997 Missouri American String Teachers Association Artist Teacher of the Year. Her students have graduated from prestigious intuitions such as Juilliard in New York City and are now influential music teachers and musicians throughout the area.

Coffman regularly gives free concerts at schools and for the community through the Laclede Quartet. She also helps raise money for local schools and libraries and volunteers time at her church and at Delmar Gardens Nursing Center in O’Fallon, Mo.

Coffman resides in O’Fallon, Mo.
 
 

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Dr. James G. Klarsch
Class of 1976

Dr. James G. Klarsch is greatly admired as a professional, a father and a role model. He is one of the most respected orthodontists in the region and is a renowned teacher, researcher, author and lecturer. 

Dr. Klarsch is best described as serving his profession with honor, his community with distinction, his educational institutions with true dedication, his many patients with devotion and his family and friends with genuine love. It is said of Dr. Klarsch, “if more people were like Jim, the world would be a much better place.”

His experiences in Ritenour laid the groundwork for his remarkable career. He has practiced orthodontics in the St. Louis area for nearly 20 years. His practice is known for providing world-class orthodontic care for adults and children. He is also shaping the future of orthodontics as a member of the clinical faculty of Saint Louis University’s Department of Orthodontics. SLU’s orthodontic department is the largest and one of the most prestigious programs in the world.

Dr. Klarsch has contributed innumerable hours to a wide variety of organizations – including volunteering at the Cleft Palate Clinic at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Through his work at the clinic, Dr. Klarsch has helped thousands of children with facial deformities and cleft palates, showing great compassion and love and making their lives better in the process. He also spends countless hours working with the Boy Scouts and volunteering his time for church and school activities.

A 1976 graduate of Ritenour High School, he excelled both inside and outside of the classroom before moving to the University of Missouri where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors. As a junior at Mizzou, he was selected for the prestigious Mystical Seven, an honor society selects the seven most outstanding men and women on campus on the basis of their community work and leadership ability. Dr. Klarsch attended the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry before completing his post-graduate education in orthodontics at Saint Louis University. He graduated at the top of his class at SLU and has been practicing orthodontics since 1988.

Dr. Klarsch, his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children, Mary, Austin and Daniel reside in Des Peres, Mo.

 

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Lillie Sloan Thomas
Class of 1968

Anyone who has crossed paths with Lillie Sloan Thomas calls her “an inspiration.” Thomas is known for her leadership, compassion, work ethic, love for her job and willingness to help those in need. She has proven through hard work and self-perseverance that miracles can happen each and every day.

As Administrative Director of SSM St. Joseph Medical Park and St. Joseph Health Center Oncology Services/Radiation Services in St. Charles, Mo., Thomas works with cancer patients on a daily basis. A breast cancer survivor herself, Thomas is driven to make every cancer patient’s day better no matter what the odds. Thomas’ work with patients has become more heartfelt and compassionate after her personal battle with cancer.

When there are special events or fundraising efforts, Thomas is known to be the first to “raise her hand” to help the cause. As part of her community efforts, Thomas is one of the guiding stars for the St. Joseph Team in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure each year. Along with these efforts, she is also the chair of the St. Joseph Diversity Team and sits on the Diversity Council for the SSM Corporate Committee. An active volunteer at her church, Thomas was the first woman elected as chairperson of the trustee board for the New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church in the city of St. Louis.

Thomas' commitment to the patients and employees of St. Joseph's has been shown over and over again through her daily work. Her employees know her as a great leader and a friend. She leads by example and shows those around her no task is impossible. Thomas finds the goodness in everyone and encourages all employees to dream big and expect nothing less than the best.

She began her career in 1970 as a Radiology technologist at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. In 1993, Thomas joined SSM Health Care and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in St. Charles as Chief Technologist.

Thomas earned a bachelors degree from National Louis University and an associate degree from Forest Park Community College. She resides in St. Louis.
 

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Major General Walter E. Webb III
Class of 1956

Major General Walter E. Webb III had an extraordinary 31-year career in the United States Air Force. A command pilot with more than 4,700 flying hours, Webb earned scores of decorations, honors and awards. His contributions to the national security of our country were remarkable.

During his illustrious career, Webb received numerous honors, including two Distinguished Flying Cross Awards. The prestigious award was established in 1926 and is for “heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty and must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to set the individual apart from his/her comrade.” The first recipient of the honor was Charles A. Lindbergh; later recipients included Orville and Wilber Wright. Webb also received the Legion of Merit Award, an honor for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service to the United States.”

Born in St. Louis, Webb graduated from Ritenour High School in 1956. He was always inspired by military service. The 1956 Melaureus lists the Armed Forces Club as one of his many school activities. Webb earned an undergraduate degree from The Citadel Military College in South Carolina in 1960 and a graduate degree from Central Michigan University in 1976. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air War College in 1978.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant, Webb entered active duty in 1960. His military career then took him across the United States and the around the world. In Vietnam, he served a 12-month tour as a gunship commander. He was promoted to Major General on Aug. 1, 1988.

Webb retired in 1991 after serving as director for operations for the Defense Nuclear Agency in Washington, D.C. In retirement, Webb continued to serve his community by working with the First Command Financial Services, helping widows and children of servicemen who were facing insurmountable financial problems.

Webb passed away Feb. 7, 1998. He is survived by his wife, Connie, of Midwest City, Okla., daughter Stephanee and granddaughter Katie Snell.

Dr. Peggy C. Giordano
Class of 1966

Dr. Peggy C. Giordano is one of the most accomplished sociologists of her generation. She is known as a first-rate scholar and her research is on the cutting edge, particularly in the area of female juvenile delinquency. She has been recognized both nationally and internationally as a scholar of criminal behavior, adolescence and risk taking.

The foundation for Dr. Giordano’s tremendous academic career began in the Ritenour School District. Dr. Giordano says Ritenour gave her the best training for all subsequent academic work and her career as a college professor.

After graduating from Ritenour High School in 1966, Dr. Giordano moved to the University of Missouri, where she received a bachelors degree in sociology in 1970. She went on to earn her masters degree and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

In 1974, she joined the faculty of Bowling Green State University in Ohio as an assistant professor. Dr. Giordano has been the lead member of some impressive research teams over the past three decades that have produced some of the most significant and often cited research in the field. She has, since 1976, been the principal or co-principal investigator on federal and private foundation research grants totaling almost $6 million and has published nearly 40 articles. 

Dr. Giordano was named Distinguished Research Professor in 2000, an honor given to very few individuals in a large pool of high achieving and impressive scholars. This year, she was named a fellow in the American Society of Criminology. The honor is given to scholars whose work has advanced the field of criminology.

Although she has an extensive and incredibly successful academic background, Dr. Giordano admits that her favorite memory from Ritenour High School was “the day I made the cheerleading squad”!

Dr. Giordano and her husband, Theodore Groat, live in Bowling Green, Ohio.
 

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Ted Kulongoski
Class of 1959

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski knows first-hand the impact of a great education and great teachers in any child’s life. His commitment to excellence in Oregon schools began at Ritenour. Gov. Kulongoski, class of 1959, has built on the academic foundation that Ritenour provided and has become a role model for future students, proving that anything can be accomplished regardless of the challenges one might face.

Gov. Kulongoski grew up in a Catholic boys’ home and attended Ritenour High School from 1956-59. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1960. When he returned from duty in Southeast Asia, he spent a few years as a truck driver and bricklayer in a steel mill in Alton, Ill. Those experiences, along with the GI Bill, gave Gov. Kulongoski the impetus and the financial ability to pursue higher education.

Gov. Kulongoski continued his education at the University of Missouri, earning both his undergraduate and law degrees. In 1970, he moved to Oregon, where he established his own law firm and quickly earned a reputation as a leading labor lawyer. He authored the Oregon Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, a landmark piece of legislation that became the cornerstone of public employees’ (including teachers) bargaining rights in Oregon.

In 1974, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives and in 1978 he was chosen to serve in the Oregon State Senate. Gov. Kulongoski was appointed Oregon Insurance Commissioner in 1987, elected Oregon Attorney General in 1992 and selected as a state Supreme Court Justice in 1998. He was elected Governor in 2002 and is currently seeking re-election for a second term.

Gov. Kulongoski is the only governor in Oregon’s history to serve in all three branches of state government: legislator, Supreme Court Justice and governor.

Gov. Kulongoski and his wife, Mary Oberst, have three grown children and one grandson. They reside in Salem, Oregon, and visit Missouri every two years, and always drive past Ritenour.
 

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Dr. Harry J. Maue
Class of 1963

Dr. Harry J. Maue has been credited by the Wall Street Journal as being the founder of the legal fee auditing industry, a field in which he has become nationally recognized. He is a classic example of a self-made individual from a modest background that has risen to the top of his profession.

Dr. Maue, Ritenour High School class of 1963, has built a successful career and national reputation, recognized as both an accomplished writer and respected speaker in his field. He has a great passion for his work and brings to it a high level of professionalism, honesty and integrity.

Dr. Maue has an extensive and impressive educational background. He earned a degree in business administration from Upper Iowa University in 1976; a law degree from the University of San Gabriel College of Law in 1979; an M.B.A. in from Southern Illinois University in 1980; a Ph.D. in from Saint Louis University in 1985; a degree in Administrative Sciences from the University of Alabama in 1986; and an L.L.M. in International Law from the University of Leicester Faculty of Law in 1996.

In 1985, Dr. Maue founded Stuart Maue Mitchell & James, Ltd. and created an entirely new industry and profession in the field of legal auditing. Acknowledged as the pioneer in the legal auditing field, the company is headquartered in St. Louis.

In 1997, Dr. Maue was the commencement speaker at Upper Iowa University and received the universities first Entrepreneur Award. The following year, Dr. Maue was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Upper Iowa and currently serves as Chairman of the International Programs.

Dr. Maue has given generously both his time and personal resources to the community. He and his company have been significant contributors over the years to many charitable organizations, including Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Maue and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Chesterfield, Mo.

 

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Dr. Richard J. Sabath III
Class of 1963

Dr. Richard J. Sabath III has been able to parlay his interest in athletics and his love for people into a fascinating career that has incorporated professional expertise, compassion and community service.

A 1963 graduate of Ritenour High School, Dr. Sabath is beginning his 20th year as the exercise physiologist at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. He also serves as a professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

Dr. Sabath’s current research interests are focused on two main patient groups – children with congenital heart defects and those born prematurely at extremely low birth rates. He has made numerous presentations nationally and internationally on these and other research studies from his lab. He works with some of the hospital’s sickest children. Knowing that the children he works with are often frightened or nervous, Dr. Sabath does everything in his power to set them at ease. He wears funny ties and goofy hats, and sings silly songs to help make children giggle and relax.

Prior to his tenure at Children’s Mercy Hospital, he spent 20 years in university teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Kansas. He began his career as a secondary physical education teacher at Southeast High School in Kansas City, Mo. in 1967.

Dr. Sabath attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. where he played football and received a degree in physical education. He later attended the University of Northern Colorado where he earned his masters degree and a doctorate in exercise physiology.

Dr. Sabath and his wife, Pat, live in Lenexa, Kan. They have two sons Mike (wife Heather) and Rick (wife Carol). They are proud grandparents of Brett, Emma, Drew and Lydia.

Ronald W. Davis
Class of 1964

Not only is Ron Davis one of the most successful business men in St. Louis, he’s also committed to empowering others to improve their quality of life.

Davis graduated from Ritenour High School in 1964 and attended college at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. Davis received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

He returned to St. Louis and joined Numerical Control, Inc. as a manufacturing engineer. He soon became a well respected manager, and after 11 years switched companies to work for Cleveland Pneumatic Co. in management and sales.

Davis began working at Engineered Support Systems, Inc., formerly Engineered Air Systems, Inc., more than 20 years ago. He recently retired as President, Business Development, Office of the Chairman. His expertise in marketing and business development helped the company see record revenues of $884 million in 2004.

Throughout his career, Davis has been committed to giving back to the community.

He serves as a volunteer for numerous organizations, including the United Way, Cancer Foundation, and Compassionate Friends and Bereaved Parents of the USA. Each year Davis assists with the St. Patrick Center�s Irish Open Golf Tournament. With his leadership, the tournament raises more than $500,000 annually to help end homelessness. He’s also established the Christopher Davis Scholarship in honor of his son, Christopher who died in a car accident 12 years ago. Davis serves on the Special School District Special Education Foundation's Board of Directors.

Davis and his wife, Marsha, live in Chesterfield, Mo.
 
 

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Jeffrey Leen
Class of 1975

Jeffrey Leen’s journey to journalism excellence began at Ritenour High School, where Leen served as sports editor for the school newspaper, The Pepper Box. Since graduating from Ritenour in 1975, Leen has won nearly every national journalism award – including five Pulitzer Prizes for his investigative articles and series.

In 1979 Leen received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Drama from Washington University. That summer he found himself writing about Ritenour again, this time as a reporter for the St. Louis County Star. In 1982 Leen received his Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Leen received his first national journalism awards in feature writing during a two-year stint at the Columbia Daily Tribune. He then joined The Miami Herald in 1982. His strong work ethic and ability to scoop other reporters helped him quickly move up the ranks, and he eventually landed on the Herald’s investigative team.

The first to publicly expose Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, a violent leader of the Medellin Cartel, Leen made a name for himself as the best drug reporter in America. Leen’s reporting on this cocaine cartel became the basis of his best-selling book, The Kings of Cocaine.

Currently, Leen is the Assistant Managing Editor/Investigative at The Washington Post in Washington D.C. Throughout his career at the Herald and the Post, Leen has contributed to and edited numerous investigative series that have lead to sweeping reform in criminal justice. Five of Leen’s series have won Pulitzer Prizes. He’s earned the deepest respect of fellow editors and reporters. Legendary writer Bob Woodward, known for exposing the Watergate scandal, calls Leen the finest editor with whom he has worked. He’s known by colleagues for his humbleness and enormous compassion for others and keen, analytical mind.

Leen and his wife, Rebecca, live in Edgewater, Md.

 

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Jerry McKinnis
Class of 1955

Ritenour teachers and coaches expected Jerry McKinnis, a 1955 graduate, to find his fortune and fame in baseball. McKinnis played baseball, basketball and football for Ritenour. After graduating, he played professional baseball for three years.

Then, McKinnis went fishing.

He traded his baseball bat for a fishing rod and became a professional fishing guide in Arkansas. In 1963, McKinnis began providing local news with reports from area fishing holes.

That same year, McKinnis and a partner began JM Associates, a television production company specializing in outdoors shows. McKinnis became known as a national expert on fishing, thanks to the television show he created and starred in, The Fishin’ Hole. In 1980, the show went national, appearing on ESPN as the anchor of the cable channel’s outdoor line-up. The Fishin’ Hole remains the longest running outdoor program in the nation.

JM Associates continues to provide hundreds of programs to ESPN each year. Often called one of the most influential figures in the outdoor industry, McKinnis has produced and hosted programs such as the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the Citgo BassMaster Tournament Trail, the Wal-Mart FLW Tour and ESPN’s Stihl Timbersports Series, to name a few.

McKinnis is known by friends and family for helping others and giving generously.

McKinnis lives in Little Rock, Ark.
 

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Cornell C. Thomas, D.D.S.
Class of 1970

Cornell C. Thomas, D.D.S. is dedicated to serving his community. As a dentist and an educator, Dr. Thomas has been helping people receive quality dental care and helping students fulfill their dreams.

Dr. Thomas graduated from Ritenour High School in 1970. He attended Millikin University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1974. Dr. Thomas received his D.D.S. from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry in 1978.

After graduating, Dr. Thomas began teaching at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. He is currently associate professor in the school’s Department of Restorative Dentistry. He also serves as the director of minority affairs for the School of Dental Medicine and as the acting director of admissions. As minority affairs director.

Dr. Thomas has collaborated with undergraduate schools to encourage minority students to pursue dentistry. Through his efforts, 80 minority students have improved their dental admissions test scores and many have successfully entered dental school programs.

Dr. Thomas has been in private practice at Thomas Dental Office in the city of St. Louis since 1982. Dr. Thomas has been an advocate for dental health care for minorities and the economically disadvantaged. He has encouraged area dentists to accept Medicaid patients and has made his practice accessible to the less fortunate and under-represented. Dr. Thomas also volunteers his time to make presentations on dental health and the importance of education to minority students.

Dr. Thomas and his wife, Faith, live in Breckenridge Hills.

 

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Raymond Thorpe
Class of 1963

As a Ritenour student and athlete, Raymond Thorpe was already making a name for himself. This future teacher, coach and businessman got his start playing basketball, baseball and football as a Ritenour Husky.

As a senior, he was named “Most Athletic” at Ritenour in 1963. Thorpe attended the University of Missouri at Columbia where he was recruited to play football. Thorpe also became the first African-American student to play baseball for the university. Thorpe excelled in both sports. As starting fullback on the football team, he became known for his big plays and touchdowns. His vital contribution to the team helped Mizzou clench the 1966 Sugar Bowl. Meanwhile on the baseball field, Thorpe was named an All-American outfielder and led his team in hits, triples, home runs, stolen bases and walks. In 1967 Thorpe was named to the Missouri College Baseball Hall of Fame. Thorpe was inducted into the University of Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

Thorpe’s success did not end at Mizzou. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Education, Thorpe entered the classroom to coach and teach. He received his master’s degree in secondary school administration from Washington University in 1973. In 1979, Thorpe left education and entered corporate America as a manager at AT&T. Thorpe received AT&T awards in communication, customer care and innovation. He went back to Washington University and received a second master’s degree in 1995, this time in human resource management.

Currently, Thorpe is a fifth-grade teacher at Forsyth School, an independent school in St. Louis. He’s also coaching football and baseball at John Burroughs School also in St. Louis.

Thorpe and his wife, Gwyn, live in St. Louis.

 

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Billie Lou Watt
Class of 1941

Billie Lou Watt knew she wanted to be an actress long before she graduated from Ritenour High School in 1941. The Broadway and television star first appeared on a professional stage at age 15 in the Municipal Opera’s production of “The American Way”.

Upon graduating from Ritenour, Watt attended Northwestern University in Chicago. The temptation to be on the stage overcame Watt, and she joined a touring company of the play “Kiss and Tell”.

Watt eventually landed in New York City where she performed in eight Broadway plays, such as “Little Women”, “Barefoot Boy With Cheek” and “Take Her, She’s Mine”.

Watt is best known for playing Ellie in “Search for Tomorrow”, a daily soap opera that aired on CBS and later NBC for 35 years. She’s also been a voice artist for numerous cartoons and has appeared on shows such as “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “One Life to Live”. Co-stars praised Watt for her professionalism both onstage and off. Punctual and passionate, Watt didn’t just portray her characters, she became them.

When not on the stage, Watt was a dedicated volunteer. She visited sick children in the hospital to read them stories. She also donated her time and talent to In Touch Networks, a national reading service for people who are blind or visually impaired. Watt read newspaper and magazine articles over the radio for more than 4 million people.

Watt died in September 2001. She is survived by husband, Hal Studer, of Orangeburg, NY, and three children.

Walter R. Garrison
Class of 1944

Walter R. Garrison is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, ambition and energy. During his 36-year tenure as CEO at CDI Corporation, Garrison saw profound business growth, and he’s never forgotten about the importance of giving back to the community.

Upon graduating from Ritenour High School in 1944, Garrison reported to the United States Naval Officers Training School. After completing his military service, Garrison earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Kansas.

In 1956, Garrison joined CDI Corporation, a professional services company providing engineering, information technology and professional staffing solutions. In 1956, CDI had an annual revenue of $1 million. In 1961, Garrison became president and CEO, and the company began to see remarkable growth. Garrison’s unique blend of optimism, honesty, realism and integrity helped him lead his company through the economic upheaval of the 1970s. When Garrison retired in 1997, CDI’s annual revenue was $1.5 billion.

Dedicated to helping students gain a technical education, Garrison founded the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology in 1953. Initially the institute was located on the first floor of Garrison’s home, but it has grown to a three-story building in Media, Pa., accommodating hundreds of students.

Garrison has donated time and resources to numerous colleges and schools and historic preservation organizations. A Boy Scout, Garrison is a participant in local troop and pack events and was a major contributor to Camp Garrison, the home of Cub Scout summer encampments.

Garrison and his wife, Jayne, live in Rose Tree, Pa.
 

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Ann Hankins Hunt, Ph.D.
Class of 1956

Ann H. Hunt, Ph.D., a 1956 Ritenour High School graduate, has shown compassion and expertise in both her professional work as a nurse and in her service to her local community.

Dr. Hunt’s nursing career began as a staff nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Hunt pursued further education and received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Purdue University in 1973 and her Master of Science in nursing in 1977. She earned her Ph.D. from Purdue in 1982.

Dr. Hunt has practiced the profession of nursing with a sense of commitment and student and client advocacy. In addition to caring for critically ill patients, Dr. Hunt has also taught nursing students at both St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and the Purdue University School of Nursing. She has earned the respect of her students, patients and hospital staff. Many admire Dr. Hunt for her outstanding creative ability, problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills.

In 1992, Dr. Hunt undertook a post-doctoral fellowship on calcium metabolism and osteoporosis at Washington University School of Medicine.

In addition to teaching and practicing nursing, Dr. Hunt has also been published in a variety of scholarly journals and gardening newsletters. She’s also received several teaching awards.

Now retired from nursing, Dr. Hunt currently serves as 3 rd District Councilor for the city of West Lafayette. She’s also an avid gardener and is serving as a mentor, or “special friend,” at her local elementary school.

Dr. Hunt and her husband, Richard, live in West Lafayette, IN.

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E. Lewis Reid
Class of 1954

A successful lawyer, E. Lewis Reid has kept the best interest of his community and the country close at heart. This 1954 graduate has lobbied to protect and provide access to some of the country’s most beautiful natural resources and has worked to increase Californian’s access to health care.

After graduation, Reid found himself at Princeton University where he received his bachelor’s degree. He later went on to Harvard Law School to earn his law degree in 1962.

Reid spent some time teaching at the University of California, Berkeley, and went into private practice, where he became active in politics. In 1966, Reid was asked to serve as the Republican counsel to the Senate Interior Committee. In Washington, D.C., Reid worked on environmental issues throughout the western United States, including the bill that created Redwood National Park and legislation that ended plans to dam the Grand Canyon.

Reid returned to his private practice in 1970 and began serving as pro bono counsel to the California Coastal Alliance, a group dedicated to preserving California’s coastline. Reid helped Californians save the coast from harmful development by passing a ballot initiative to create the California Coastal Commission, an organization tasked to make responsible coastal land-use decisions.

In 1998, Reid stopped practicing law to become president and CEO of The California Endowment, a foundation dedicated to improving the health status of Californians. In 2000, the endowment was worth $3.7 billion and was making charitable grants in excess of $150 million per year.

Reid and his wife, Mary, live in Sebastopol, Calif.
 

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Dale Rohman
Class of 1956

Dale Rohman, “America’s Flower Man,” a nationally recognized floral artist, has a passion for flowers and for supporting the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association.

A 1956 graduate, Rohman went to work for a local florist after graduating from Ritenour High School. Together with a business partner, Rohman created George Waldbart Floral Company, one of the most successful floral companies in St. Louis.

Unfortunately, Rohman’s business partner was diagnosed with ALS in 1985 and died a little more than a year after his diagnosis. In response to his friend’s diagnosis, Rohman got involved with the ALS Association and sought to use his gifts in floral design to benefit those with the disease.

Rohman helped create a number of ALS Association patient programs, including a holiday gift to each patient, an award-winning respite-care program for caregivers, and an expanded equipment loan program for patients who cannot afford to purchase medical equipment. Thanks in part to his popular fundraiser, “Say It With Flowers,” Rohman has also raised more than $3 million for the organization.

Today, Rohman continues to share his love of flowers with others. He’s written three books on floral design and has appeared on numerous television shows, including NBC’s Today Show, CNN’s Morning News, Home Matters on the Discovery Channel, and Today at Home on cable’s Home and Garden TV. Rohman travels throughout the country to participate in home and garden shows and has designed major events for companies including Anheuser-Busch, Neiman Marcus, Edward Jones and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Rohman and his wife, Joan, live in Chesterfield, Mo.
 

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Steve Twitchell
Class of 1974

Steve K. Twitchell, a 1974 graduate, built a reputation for quality audio-visual production as a Ritenour senior. He’s since built his own business and won national and international awards for his productions.

In 1974, the budding video producer was asked by a Ritenour teacher to produce a film titled “A Day in the Life of a Ritenour Student.” That film, a fantastic success, helped Ritenour High School successfully earn its North Central Evaluation.

Twitchell, who made his first film at 13, attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Upon graduation, Twitchell taught radio and television courses at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.

In 1981, Twitchell created Steve Twitchell/Production, an audio and video production studio in Columbia. Twitchell’s company has worked with every advertising agency in central Missouri and has produced thousands of commercials. Twitchell prides himself on keeping his company small, allowing him to focus on creating personal, quality work for his clients.

Steve Twitchell/Production has earned two Silver Telly awards, given to outstanding cable television commercials, and numerous other international, national and local awards for his work. Some of Twitchell’s clients include Keebler Cookie Company, Orvis Shops, State Farm Insurance and Columbia Regional Hospital. Clients give Twitchell rave reviews for his creativity, quality of work and ability to complete projects quickly.

Twitchell and his wife, Kathleen, live in Columbia, Mo.

David Bell
Class of 1939

David Bell is a man of service. The 1939 Ritenour graduate, has dedicated his time and energy to the United States Air Force, the local community and charities throughout the country.

Between 1942 and 1971, Bell served in the U.S. Air Force and the Missouri Air National Guard. Among other duties as Lieutenant Colonel Mobility Officer for the guard, Bell directed the movement of the Missouri 131st Tactical Fighter Wing from St. Louis to France during the “Berlin Crisis.” He retired from the military with more than 29 years of service.

Bell continued to serve the country as a civilian employed by the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis. He was technician and principal writer of a series of technical manuals about Army aircraft and aviation equipment. He designed cradles, supports, slings, hoists and waterproof covers used in the shipment of aircraft.

In 1971, Bell was selected to help coordinate the Combined Federal Campaign, a federal employee fundraising drive that benefits nonprofit organizations. His first year involved, Bell tripled federal worker participation and donations. Under his leadership, this trend continued for the next five years. Bell was named the “Outstanding Federal Employee” in 1975 in the category of Management and Administration.

Bell has also served as Trustee of the Village of Sycamore Hills, an adult leader for various Boy Scout troops, and in many positions for Stephan Memorial United Methodist Church. He’s been an active member of the Ritenour community, serving on the Board of Education and parent teacher associations.

Bell and his wife, Laura Jeane, live in Overland. They have nine children, all graduates of Ritenour High School.
 

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Barry Cooper
Class of 1977

Barry Cooper has been climbing the corporate ladder since graduating Ritenour High in 1977 and Southeast Missouri State University in 1981. The certified public accountant is now Chief Financial Officer for The Laclede Group/Laclede Gas Company, a company with $1 billion in assets.

Cooper started his climb at KPMG, a big four accounting firm. His customer service and negotiation skills quickly made him one of the top producers of new business for the company.

In 1995, Cooper began working at GenAmerica Corporation, a Fortune 500 provider of life and health insurance. When he left just last year, he was serving as a consultant to the Chief Executive Officer. A keen eye for improving efficiency, Cooper saved the company millions of dollars while improving the way GenAmerica did business.

Just last year, Cooper was named Chief Financial Officer of Laclede Gas Company.

The consummate professional never lost sight of what is truly important to him – his family. Cooper passed up a great opportunity at GenAmerica so that he wouldn’t have to uproot his family at a time when his daughters, Rachel and Lauren, were in high school.

In addition to his professional roles, Cooper is also dedicated to his community, particularly to public education. A member of the Lindbergh Board of Education since 1999, he’s currently serving as board secretary. He’s also served as the board treasurer. Colleagues say Cooper keeps his children and community at the center of all he does. For more than 10 years, Cooper has been a member of the Arthritis Foundation’s local board of directors.

Cooper, and his wife, Denise, live in South St. Louis County.
 

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Michael L. Ham
Class of 1962

For more than 20 years, Michael Ham has been giving the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean an important gift – his voice.

The 1962 Ritenour graduate began his campaign in California where he lobbied for the protection of Malibu’s coastal resources. He then moved on to Guam, where he worked for and led the island’s Coastal Management Program.

Ham’s intimate knowledge of coastal Guam is expressed in the book he authored, “Guahan (Guam): The Fragile Gift.” Written in 1984, this book was used in Guam’s elementary schools to teach young students about the natural resources of their island. Ham is also the creator and host of his own monthly television series, Man, Land and Sea, which airs in Guam and Saipan.

Even after he retired from Guam’s government in 1999, Ham continued to promote the beauty and health of Pacific coasts as the program administrator of the Micronesia Conservation Society.

Just last February, Ham was appointed Executive Director for All Islands, Secretariat to the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which is dedicated to protecting, restoring and responsibly using the country’s coral reefs.

Ham has shared his expertise with President Bill Clinton, the Secretary of the Interior, international committees and organizations and numerous local governments. In 1999, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force honored Ham for his dedication and leadership in local, regional and global coral reef protection.

Ham is also an artist, singer, musician and poet. He enjoys acting in community theaters and creating watercolors. The certified SCUBA diver has explored the reefs from Australia to Hawaii. Ham and his wife, Susan Marie, currently live in Honolulu. They have one son, Thomas CJ, who is attending the United States Naval Academy.
 

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Ronald Hunt
Class of 1959

Ronald Hunt was a leader in baseball even as a student at Ritenour High School in the late ’50s. Today, the former major league player continues to provide leadership by coaching high school baseball players in his summer program.

Fresh out of high school in 1959, Hunt was signed with the Milwaukee Braves and was in their minor league system for three and a half years. The New York Mets bought his contract in 1962, and he played second base for the Mets until 1966. He’s also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants and the Montreal Expos.

A team player, Hunt set a standing National League record for being hit by a pitch 243 times. In his 12-year career, he had a .273 batting average and a .347 on-base percentage.

In 1986, Hunt started the Ron Hunt Eagles Baseball Association. Each summer, about 20 players from across the country travel to Hunt’s facility in Wentzville to spend the summer improving their game through practice and hard work. Players age 14-18 live in a dorm on the property where they also learn independence and how to “keep house.”

Hunt stresses discipline and learning the fundamentals of baseball. He’s known for being demanding and honest, sometimes brutally honest, with his players. Of Hunt’s Eagles, 95 percent have received college scholarships, and nine have been drafted.

Hunt and his wife, Jackie (known as “camp mom”), live on the property they share with the Eagles Baseball Association. Hunt also raises cattle, farms and is an avid outdoorsman.

James Nicholson
Class of 1964

James Nicholson has written 14 plays, two screenplays and one teleplay. His works have been professionally produced on three continents. He has received the “National Play Award” twice, the “Federation of the Dramatic Guild/CBS Award,” the “Missouri Arts Commission Playwriting Award” and won the Warehouse Theatre’s International Playwriting Competition for his latest play, “Proud Flesh.” “Proud Flesh” was also selected for the prestigious National Playwrights Conference in 1982 and was showcased in the International Playwriting Festival 2000 in London, England.

Nicholson has been given six fellowships and has served on numerous committees and organizations in the United States and United Kingdom. Nicholson is an alumnus and former member of the board of directors of New Dramatists, a member of PEN and the Dramatist’s Guild, and a veteran of official Artistic Exchanges to both Ireland’s and the People’s Republic of China. He has received a Federation of the Dramatists Guild/CBS Award and multiple fellowships for the National Endowment for the Arts. Nicholson has been a Playwright in Residence at the Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis and an Artist in Residence at Shakespeare’s Globe.

As an educator, he spent six years as the Playwriting Component of the professional Writing Program at Washington University in St. Louis. He also developed a creative writing curriculum for students ranging from second grade to high school. Many of his produced plays – “Miss Julie Bodiford,” “Beyond Here Are Monsters,” “And Howl at the Moon” and “Blue Moon Rising” – have enjoyed very enthusiastic receptions in a number of different venues.

Nicholson currently resides in Charlack. He is the son of the late Charles and Mary Nicholson. Mary was also a Ritenour graduate, Class of 1930.

 

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June Wuest Becht
Class of 1947

June Wuest Becht began her prestigious career in athletics as a triple-letter sports star – in basketball, field hockey and volleyball – at Ritenour High School. She returned to RHS to become a teacher, coach and Girl’s Athletic Director in 1951. She served as president of the St. Louis County Women’s Physical Education Club in 1959. Becht became an instructor at Washington University in 1971 and published the 1904 Olympic Pictures Study through the university in 1980. She has also served as a lecturer in the Sociology and History of Sports and Physical Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Becht’s talent and love of sports led her to specialize in the Olympics, specifically female athletes involved in the Olympics, where she has become an accomplished presenter, writer and historian. She has attended nine of 12 Olympic Academies and was selected as the official United States delegate to attend the International Olympic Academy in Greece, where she was chosen as a presenter. She was also chosen to present a slide show and lecture for the Olympic Gala in Atlanta in 1996.

Becht has written over 190 articles – published both locally, nationally and internationally – on the Olympics and female athletes. She has been referred to as “one of the world’s outstanding women sportswriters and sports historians” and has received numerous awards and recognition for her writing and athletic accomplishments. Becht recently revisited RHS as an alumni panelist at the Ritenour Student Leadership Conference in 2000.

She and her husband, Harvey, have been married for 48 years and live in St. Louis. They have two daughters and two granddaughters.
 

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Dr. Leslie Miller
Class of 1964

Dr. Leslie W. Miller is not only the Director of the Cardiovascular Division at the University of Minnesota, he is an accomplished clinician, mentor and teacher known throughout the world. For his teaching, he has received numerous awards including “Teacher of the Year,” “Senior Student Golden Apple,” and “Residents Outstanding Teacher” from St. Louis University Medical Center where he practiced before moving to Minnesota. He has also been recognized in The Best Doctors in America in 1994, 1996 and 1997.

As a medical leader in transplantation, he has served as president of American Society of Transplant Physiciansand as co-chairman of the Board of Directors with Mid-America Transplant Services. He has served as president for the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, and is currently on their Board of Directors. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association. His outstanding clinical ability and leadership earned him the “Alumni Recognition Young Physician Award” from the University of Missouri in 1992.

While at St. Louis University, he played a critical role in establishing the importance of cardiology in the field of transplantation and rose to both national and international recognition in the field of cardiac transplantation. One of his colleagues remarked that Dr. Miller ” has maintained a standard of excellence that challenges those around him to emulate his goals in patient care and extend the boundaries of cardiovascular research.”

Dr. Miller has been involved with 11 government or foundation-sponsored research projects, and 45 industrial and pharmaceutical-sponsored research projects. He has contributed to 22 books and 116 manuscripts, and has written 5 articles on transplantation. He and his wife, Susan Lambert Miller, reside in Edina, Minnesota. They have two children.

 

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Lyle James Fisher
Class of 1944

Lyle Fisher returned to his alma mater, Ritenour High School, in 1949 to teach mathematics and social studies, and to serve as counselor and athletics coach. During his nine years at RHS, he organized and sponsored the first Student Council, assisted in the organization of the counseling department and coached the first Ritenour team to become the Missouri State Baseball Champions in 1957. While he was at Ritenour, his coaching abilities helped develop three students who went on to become major league baseball players. Fisher was also an outstanding leader and innovator in the mathematics teaching profession. After his tenure at RHS, Fisher moved to California where he initiated and developed numerous other educational programs and organizations, including the Redwood Mathematics Club at Redwood High School. The club has had more than 48,000 participants in its programs and achieved national recognition.

Fisher served as president of the State of California Mathematics Council, co-authored and published a number of math books, and received many awards and recognition. One of his books, “Problem of the Week,” made over $40,000 in royalties which Fisher donated to the California Mathematics Council Student Activities Trust. He received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, which was presented to him by then United States President Ronald Reagan. He also received the Volunteer of the Year award from Washington Elementary in Pt. Richmond, California, and the Distinguished Service Award for community participation in the City of Richmond.

Fisher retired from the University of California-Berkeley in 1996, ending 48 years of active involvement in education. He is spending his retirement in Pt. Richmond, California, with his wife, Connee, who is also a Ritenour graduate.

Dr. Terry A. Straeter
Class of 1960

When the Russians launched Sputnik I in October 1957, they launched Terry Straeter’s career, as well. Ritenour High School recognized the need to intensify math and science instruction and formed an advanced class for the very brightese students. Straeter was at the top of the class.

Terry was the first of the Straeter family to attend college, and he starred in the classroom and on the athletic field as he had done at Ritenour. He received a BA in mathematics from William Jewell College (graduating magna cum laude), a master’s at the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from North Carolina State University.

He worked at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. At a time of major technological breakthroughs in aviation and avionics, Straeter proved he was destined to be a pioneer in those fields. In 1979, Straeter joined General Dynamics as corporate director of technical software. He was eventually named corporate vice president and general manager of the electronics division (GDE) in 1991. GDE became Marconi Integrated Systems, Inc., and Straeter retired in 1999 as president and CEO of that company. He has served as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on the board of directors of the Aerostructures Corporation and United States Marine Repair, Inc., on the board of governors of the Electronic Industries Alliance and as chairman of the board of directors of the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association.

Straeter is a strong supporter of numerous charities including the United Way, the USO World organization, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul Village. Retirement will find him devoted to his stable of racehorses.

He and his wife, Jinny, live in Poway, California. They are the parents of Kelly Straeter-Garrett and Kristen and Ingrid Straeter. He is the son of Jane Straeter of St. Louis and the late Edwin Straeter.

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Dr. Thomas W. McIntyre
Class of 1970

Those who remember Tom McIntyre as a young man recall especially his accomplishments on the football field – captain of both his high school and college teams, a three-year letterman in high school and a unanimous All-Conference selection for two years at Southwest Missouri State University.

After completing a degree in education in 1974, he was signed by the Houston Oilers, but left training camp for the Peace Corps where he spent two years teaching on the island of Saipan in Micronesia. In 1978 he received a master’s degree in teaching from Southeast Missouri State and joined the faculty of Melbourne (Florida) High School as a math and physical education teacher and assistant football coach. He later became head football coach, producing district and regional championship teams in 1985 and 1986, and was named Central Florida Coach of the Year in 1985.

In 1986, McIntyre served as an assistant secondary school principal. He became principal of Rockledge (Florida) High School in 1991, a position he held until this year, when he completed a doctorate in education administration at the University of Central Florida and returned to Melbourne High as principal.

For six years, McIntyre was a member of the board of directors of the Greater West Melbourne Athletic Association, and is now a leader in the Florida High School Activities Association. In 1995, his school was recognized by Redbook magazine as one of the top 100 innovative schools in the country. He was named Senior High Principal of the Year in 1997 by the School District of Brevard County, the 47th largest in the U.S., he received the Kiwanis Man of the Year Award in 1998 and the Rockledge City Council’s Key to the City Award in 1999.

McIntyre passed away on Aug. 13, 2008. He is survived by family including his wife, Mary, and children Sean, Patrick, and Eric. McIntyre is the son of Ann and Ray McIntyre of Overland.

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Karen Bowman Carroll
Class of 1965

After graduation, Karen Carroll attended the University of Missouri-Columbia before joining TWA as one of its first three female “ground hostesses.” She began her career in St. Louis radio in the 1970s, and by 1983, was vice president/general manager of KSLQ. In 1992 Carroll guided the acquisition of five local stations, forming American Radio Systems, St. Louis’ largest radio group. It was later acquired by CBS, and three years later, CBS named Carroll vice president/general manager of KMOX, “The Voice of St. Louis.”

Carroll has always found time to devote to the community. She is the founder and CEO of Outreach-St. Louis, a foundation that serves more than 80 local charities by conducting on-air programs to create awareness of needs and raise money. Carroll is past president of AMC Cancer Research and created the St. Louis AMC Breast Cancer Awareness Walks for Women. She serves on the boards of the Missouri Broadcasting Association, the Urban League, the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association, the Regional Business Council, Outreach-St. Louis, the Greater St. Louis Area Boy Scouts Council, SSM Healthcare, the University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor’s Council and Junior Achievement and is on the executive committee of the St. Louis Art Fair.

The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis recognized Carroll as its 2000 Media Person of the Year. She has also received the St. Louis Business Journal 25 Most Influential Business Women Award, the YWCA Women in Leadership Award for Communications, the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Woman of the Year-Radio Wayne Award and the AMC Cancer Research Center Illuminator Award.

Carroll, who lives in Clayton, is the mother of two grown children, Shawn Carroll and Margo Kopman, and the daughter of Berniece Arbuthnot of Ballwin and the late Paul Bowman, creator of Christian Family Services.

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Dr. George F. Chapman
Class of 1943

When George Chapman began first grade at Marvin School in 1931, his teacher could scarcely have imagined the influence her pupil was to have on the future of the Ritenour District. He graduated in the midst of World War II, enlisted in the Marines and served with distinction for three and a half years as an Air Corps gunner in the Philippines and China.

He came home to marry Doris Zdvorak, his high school sweetheart, and to earn a degree in business administration from Culver Stockton College. In 1950, he joined Ferguson High School, teaching math, serving as vocational coordinator and coaching football and wrestling. After earning a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he became an assistant principal there, and in 1958 he returned to Ritenour as assistant principal under the legendary O. W. Costilow. When Costilow retired in 1960, Chapman replaced him. At the time Ritenour was the largest three-year high school in the state. In 1967, he joined the district administrative team as assistant superintendent for secondary education, a position he held for 15 years. During his tenure, he had a hand in every major innovation in the district.

Shortly after his retirement in 1982, Chapman joined St. Johns Bank as vice president for business development. He gained the bank’s backing for the annual RHS Student Leadership Retreat, which has benefited more than 700 Ritenour students to date, and assisted in securing guaranteed loans per year for Ritenour graduates.

Chapman is a life-long member of Marvin Park United Methodist Church, and a past officer of the Ritenour Optimist Club. He has served on the boards of several organizations and as an adjunct professor for three universities. But he is proudest that, as the only Ritenour graduate to return as high school principal and assistant superintendent, he will always be known to many as “Mr. Ritenour.” He and Doris live in Creve Coeur. They are the parents of three children, Chris and Keith Chapman and Kay Ingram, all Ritenour graduates. The Chapmans have eight grandchildren.

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Michelle Loyet
Class of 1990

There probably aren’t many little girls who say they’re going to be archaeologists when they grow up and actually follow through, but that’s exactly what Michelle Loyet did. At Washington University she was named an All-American Scholar and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in anthropology in 1994. During her undergraduate years, she served as a research and laboratory assistant in the paleoethnobotany and zooarchaeology labs. With the help of her advisors, she obtained a collection of bones from Syria and as a result, she was invited to spend five seasons with the team excavating that site, Tell Tuneinir. Her honors thesis focused on those Bronze Age faunal materials.

That work was also the topic of her master’s thesis at the University of Missouri-Columbia, papers she presented at meetings of the Society for American Archaeology and the American Schools of Oriental Research and an article published in the Journal of Near Eastern Studies.

Since finishing her master’s in anthropology in 1998, Loyet has worked at the Islamic Period site of Al Basra in Morocco, with the Oriental Institute; with the University of Chicago, at their Chalcolithic site of Tell Kurdu in southern Turkey; and with Yale University at the site of Tell Leilan in northern Syria. She has completed a pre-doctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and is currently a doctoral candidate in anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Loyet is the author of numerous academic publications, is a frequent presenter at archaeological conferences and has served as a guest lecturer for adult and children’s groups. She is the submissions editor for the Journal of the Steward Anthropological Society at the University of Illinois. She is currently a teaching assistant in the University of Illinois anthropology department.

Loyet was raised by her grandparents, Ann and Ray Burnett of Breckenridge Hills. She lives in Champaign, Illinois.

Major General James Day
Class of 1948

Major General James Lewis Day, Class of 1948, left Ritenour in 1943 to join the Marines. On May 14, 1945, during ferocious fighting on Okinawa, he volunteered to lead a ten-man squad up Sugar Loaf Hill to evacuate wounded Americans. By the end of the day, all but Day and comrade Dale Bertoli were dead, and Bertoli had lost the use of his hands. For three days Day waged a solitary battle from a shell crater, repeatedly fending off attacks from 1,200 Japanese soldiers. His defense of the position allowed his battalion to advance and proved to be the key to crushing the enemy’s line across Okinawa.

After the war, Day returned to Overland and earned a GED from Ritenour before re-enlisting in the Marines for a distinguished career. But his nomination for the Medal of Honor was lost in the turmoil of World War II and did not resurface until 1996, ten years after his retirement. Finally, on January 20, 1998, more than half a century after the 19-year-old Marine corporal played a pivotal role in the United States’ victory in the Pacific, Jim Day went to the White House to receive his country’s highest honor from President Bill Clinton. The Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego has since named its Command Museum after Major General Day. 

Day died of a heart attack in October 1998. He is survived by his wife, Sally, of Cathedral City, California, four children and eight grandchildren. A son and a grandson followed in Day’s footsteps and also became United States Marines.
 

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Dave Fuchs
Class of 1979

David Fuchs, Class of 1979, enlisted in the Navy after graduation and was a member of the All-Navy Basketball Team. He has been named a Distinguished Alumni of Sigma Tau Gamma at University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Fellow in the fraternity’s Wilson C. Morris Foundation.

In 1989 Fuchs founded Tri-Tek Information Systems, Inc., of which he is president and CEO. The company now employs more than 300 people, conducts business in 49 states and had revenues of more than $35 million in 1998. It is the fastest-growing company in St. Louis in 1999 and one of the 500 fastest growing in the country. Earlier this year, Fuchs was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of 40 outstanding St. Louisans under age 40.

He is a member of the board of directors and a key financial supporter of the West County YMCA, the founder of the St. Louis Youth Camp Foundation and an active supporter of cancer research through the Jimmy V. Foundation. He also volunteers hundreds of hours and dollars to Ritenour basketball teams.

Fuchs lives in West St. Louis County with his wife, Liz, and their children: Christopher, 10; Danielle, 8; and Tyler, 6. He is the son of Shirley Fuchs of St. John and the late Russell Fuchs. His sister, Deanna Cruse, lives in Maryland Heights.

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Dr. Albert Oberman
Class of 1951

Dr. Albert Oberman, Class of 1951, is recognized nationally and internationally for his involvement in landmark health studies. They include the prevention and treatment of hypertension, the management of coronary heart disease, the role of exercise in cardiac rehabilitation and the health of women and minorities. Oberman earned undergraduate and medical degrees from Washington University. His residency and internship was at Jewish Hospital/ Barnes Group. He has also completed a graduate degree in public health and a fellowship in cardiovascular epidemiology at the University of Michigan, as well as spending three years in the U.S. Public Health Service as an investigator for a major research project at the U.S. Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Florida. Since 1967, he has been at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, serving as a professor in the School of Medicine and as director of the Division of Preventive Medicine, which he created in 1976. This division has developed into one of the largest academic research programs in the country. He has published more than 200 scientific articles, authored medical texts and served on many national committees.

Oberman and his wife, Marian, live in Mountain Brook, Alabama. They have three grown children, Steven, David and Karen and five grandchildren. Oberman is the son of the late Max and Helen Oberman, who for many years owned Lackland Dry Goods in Overland. His sisters, Leatrice Shank and Estelle Bitman, live in Overland and Boston, Massachusetts respectively.
 

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Larry Payton
Class of 1966

Larry Payton, Class of 1966, completed a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Southwest Baptist University and a Master’s in Higher Education administration at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He worked as an administrator at Southwest Baptist and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and spent a decade, beginning in 1979, as director of student activities at the University of Tulsa.

In 1983, Payton felt called to move in a completely different direction. The young man, whose only previous association with theater was working in the box office for his senior play, formed Celebrity Attractions in Tulsa. For the past 16 years, he and his wife, Kay, have kept the lights of Broadway burning bright in mid-America by presenting major theatrical and musical performances. Currently, Payton is a producer of the national tours of “Peter Pan” and “Cirque Ingenieux” and is involved with the Broadway productions of “Footloose” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” He is a trustee of Oklahoma Baptist University and was Tulsa’s Small Business person of the Year in 1997.

The Payton family includes Drew, a freshman at Oklahoma Baptist University, and Laura, a high school freshman. Payton is the son of Dorothy and the late Earl Payton. His brother, Ed, a 1968 Ritenour graduate, has worked with him at Celebrity Attractions since 1997.
 

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Jerry Reuss
Class of 1967

Jerry Reuss, Class of 1967, was signed by the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals the month he graduated from Ritenour and went on to fulfill his dream of pitching in the majors during a 22-year career with the Cardinals, Astros, Pirates, Dodgers, Reds, Angels, White Sox and Brewers.

He was named to the National League All-Star Team in 1975 and again in 1980, when he led the National League with six shutouts, pitched a no-hitter against the Giants and was named National League Comeback Player of the Year by The Sporting News. As a member of the Dodgers, he won the fifth game of the 1981 World Series against the Yankees. In a final tour with the Pirates in 1990, Ruess became just the 22nd player and the eighth pitcher in baseball history whose career spanned four decades.

Since his retirement as a professional baseball player, he has worked as a baseball analyst and play-by-play announcer for ESPN, The Baseball Network, Prime Sports and for the American League’s Anaheim Angels on Channel 9 in Los Angeles. He has compiled a volume, Joel Whitburn’s Top Pop Guide Singles CD Guide 1955-1979, and is an accomplished sports photographer whose work has appeared in magazines and on Upper Deck baseball cards.

Ruess lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Chantal. He is the son of Viola Reuss of Overland and the late Melvin Reuss. His brothers, Jim and John, live in Houston, Texas, and O’Fallon, Missouri, respectively.
 

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Robert Todd
Class of 1966

Robert Todd, Class of 1966, has been head baseball coach at the Ohio State University since 1988. The 1999 season was full of milestones. On May 1, he earned his 600th career victory as a college coach, and four days later, with his 479th OSU win, the became the winningest coach in the university’s 119-year history. The Buckeyes climbed into the country’s top ten with a 21-game winning streak and earned their sixth Big Ten title in 11 years – keeping alive another impressive tradition – every player Todd has recruited for Ohio State has left with a Big Ten Championship ring.

Todd was an assistant coach at Ritenour and the University of Missouri for ten years after college graduation before becoming head coach at Kent State University in Ohio in 1984. Through the years, 62 of his players have signed professional contracts. He has been Big Ten Coach of the Year three times and National Coach of the Year in 1994, the same year he was named an assistant coach for USA Baseball at the World Games.

Todd and his wife, Glenda, who taught at Hoech Junior High in the early 1970s, have four children: Scott; Jeff; Brad and Stacey. Todd is the son of Martha Todd, a former secretary at Midland School and the late Virgil Todd, a long-time COE teacher at Ritenour. His brother, Dan, and sister, Kris Leach, live in Lena, Illinois, and Carrollton, Texas, respectively.

Dr. William E. Cooley
Class of 1947

Although Bill Cooley may not be a household word, a product he perfected – Crest toothpaste – certainly is. A 1947 Ritenour graduate, Bill was an outstanding student who was especially interested in math and science, although he also enjoyed Pearl Yancey’s Latin class and Belle Pardue’s Public Speaking Club. Charles Robinson was his inspiration for majoring in chemistry at Central College in Fayette (now Central Methodist College), a school he was influenced to choose by Ruth Leigh Lovelace, another Ritenour faculty member. More than 50 years later, he describes all of them as inspiring teachers he will never forget.

Bill graduated with highest honors from Central in 1951 and received a National Science Foundation Fellowship, which enabled him to complete a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Illinois three years later. His first post-college job was with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, where work was underway on the formula for Crest. As a research chemist and product development group leader, Bill was instrumental in improving the formula and maintaining Crest as a marketable product. During his 40 years with Procter & Gamble, he managed in several divisions of the company and worked successfully with the Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies. He also managed governmental regulatory affairs for over-the-counter drugs in the U.S. and internationally. The author of 18 scientific articles and the holder of six U.S. patents in the dentifrice area, Bill has been both an active and associate member, board member and committee chair in the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association and was certified by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. In 1981 he was named a distinguished alumnus of Central Methodist College.

Since his retirement in 1994, Bill and his wife, the former Marion Sherman, have established a consulting business relating to the drug and cosmetic industries, which they operate from their home in Wyoming, Ohio. Marion is also a 1947 Ritenour graduate. Bill has been involved with the United Way and has served as an aide at Drake Center, a hospital for elderly and handicapped persons. He and Marion are active members of the Presbyterian Church, where they teach, sing in the choir and play the piano and organ. They are the parents of Charles, Marilyn, Harold and Noele. Bill is the son of the late Charles and Lillian Cooley.
 

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David F. Maltman
Class of 1964

After his graduation from Ritenour, David Maltman earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, secondary teacher’s certification and a master’s in guidance and counseling, all from Southwest Missouri State University.

After two years as a signal officer in the U.S. Army, he began his teaching career in Strafford, Missouri, where he pioneered classroom simulation exercises and was named Teacher of the Year in 1973. Three years later he became director of juvenile court detention services in Kansas City, Kansas, managing and coordinating the operation of a 24-hour secure detention facility for children ages 7 to 18. A major accomplishment was changing the orientation of the facility from custodial care to diagnosis and treatment.

In 1981 David began an eight-year term as executive director of Advocacy Services of Alaska, during which he established consumer-driven advocacy as an integral part of the service delivery system and coordinated legislative efforts to pass a Bill of Rights for Alaskans with disabilities. He was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy, served as president of the Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities, was co-founder of Alaska’s Disability Awareness and Advocacy Day and in 1988 was named Most Outstanding Human Service Provider by the Association of Retarded Citizens of Alaska.

In 1986 David worked as legislative administrative assistant to Alaska State Senator Jan Faiks. His duties included reviewing and analyzing proposed legislation, organizing public hearings and meetings and preparing correspondence for the co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

From 1989 to 1991, David served as deputy commissioner of the Indiana Department of Mental Health, with responsibility for a complex system of services involving more than 6,900 community residential beds, 30 community mental health centers, 62 organizations serving people with developmental disabilities and the governing boards of 11 state-operated facilities with 3,200 beds. In 1991 David returned to Anchorage as executive director of the State of Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, his present position. His honors include: participating in Senior Executives in Leadership in Mental Health Administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government; serving as a faculty member at the National Conference of State Legislators; chairing the National Association of Disability Councils National Public Policy Committee; and serving on Alaska’s Statewide Independent Living Council.

David’s leisure activities include amateur radio – he serves as a checkpoint operator on the Iditarod Sled Dog Race – and playing first base for the Cafe Del Mundo/Marx Brothers and Java Heads teams. He is the son of Corabelle and the late Frank Maltman of Overland. His sister, Rebecca, and brother, Dan, are also residents of the Ritenour District.

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Don Horn
Class of 1939

Don Horn’s career got off to a flying start after his 1939 graduation from Ritenour – first at Robertson Aviation School at Lambert Field, where he earned his aircraft and engine license, and in 1945 at Memphis Flying School, where he earned a private pilot’s license. In the 1940s, Don worked as a naval aircraft inspector and managed a Memphis company that distributed aircraft parts and equipment. In 1950, while still in his twenties, he purchased an operation which he reorganized as the Don Horn Company. Over the next 28 years, serving as general manager, president and CEO, he built the company from a four-employee distributorship to a 40-person work force.

During these years, Don also founded and published “Cars and Parts,” an automotive magazine, and founded Smith and Smith Aircraft Corporation in New Orleans. He sold the Don Horn Company in 1978, and it has since become the international division of the Ryder Corporation. For the past 23 years, he has served as CEO of D & M Real Estate Company, which deals with commercial property. Don is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, past president of the Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association, a founding member and long-time board member of the General Aviation Division of the National Association of Credit Management, the founder and first president of the National Aircraft Parts Distributors Association and the founder of the Aircraft Parts Catalogue Association.

For the past 30 years, Don has been a member of the Department of Defense Orientation Conference Association, through which he has visited 19 foreign countries and many military installations in the U.S. He has also been invited to participate in seminars and forums sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and the War Colleges of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force.

For 17 years Don was a member of the board of directors of the Memphis Downtown Rotary Club. He served on the Memphis Area Vocational-Technical School Advisory Board and chaired the Military Affairs Council of the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a past president of the Rowland Heights-Diamond Bar-Walnut Rotary Club and has been a delegate to two international conferences. He served for four years as a member of the General Advisory Council of the La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program and of the Board of Directors of Mt. San Antonio College Foundation. He is presently a member of the USAF Foundation and director emeritus of the U.S. Navy War College Foundation.

A life-long aviation and auto racing enthusiast, Don has accumulated more than 5,000 hours of flying time in many kinds of aircraft and, as a member of the Sports Car Club of America, raced in international competition for 13 years.

Don and his wife, the former Margaret Lee Robertson, live in Diamond Bar, California. Don’s parents were the late Otto and Martha Sprick Horn
 

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Dr. Jennifer Horrell Page
Class of 1986

When Jennifer Horrell graduated from Ritenour in 1986, she was one of an elite group of students accepted in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s six-year medical program. In 1992, she completed both a bachelor’s degree in biology and an M.D. degree. After a transitional year at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, she joined the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago for a three-year residency, serving as chief resident in 1995-96.

Since 1996, Jennifer has been medical director for acute rehabilitation at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis and is also in private practice at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center.

She has served as midwest regional representative and program coordinator for the Midwest Regional Conference of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and as a delegate to the American Medical Association. She served three-year terms as a member of the Governing Council and Medical Legal Council of the Illinois State Medical Society and is presently a member of the Young Physicians Committee and the Women Physicians Committee of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society.

Jennifer is the author of several articles and serves on Clinical Care Pathways and the Orthopedic Review Committee at St. Anthony’s. A health advocate for the elderly, she is a frequent speaker at a club for stroke survivors and is a sponsor of the Heads Up program, which focuses on head injury prevention for high school students. During her college days, Jennifer spent four years as a cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs. She and her husband, Dr. Sam Page, whose specialty is anesthesiology, live in suburban St. Louis. They are the parents of six-month-old Samuel Logan, whom Jennifer considers her greatest accomplishment. She is the daughter of Louis and Ruth Horrell of Woodson Terrace. Her brothers, Tim and Patrick, are also Ritenour graduates and still live in the St. Louis area.

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Dr. James A. Vornberg

Class of 1961

When Jim Vornberg began kindergarten in 1948, he probably didn’t expect to be in school for the next 50 years – interrupted only by a four-year tour of duty as an ICBM launch officer with the U.S. Air Force during the Viet Nam era. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Southeast Missouri State University, and a master’s and Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Arizona.

Jim’s began teaching in 1965 in the Pattonville District. When he returned from the Air Force, he spent a year as a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona before moving to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where for two years he served as assistant to the superintendent of the American School, which served 1,150 students of American families as well as Brazilians and 28 other nationalities.

 After a year as an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, Jim joined the faculty of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) in 1974. He was promoted to full professor there in 1981 and served as interim department head in 1991-92. Jim is co-founder and director of the Meadows Principal Improvement Program, funded by the Meadows Foundation of Texas in 1985. In 1990 the program received national recognition from the American Association of School Administrators for outstanding contributions in educational leadership development, leading to the establishment of the Principal Center at Texas A&M-Commerce. Jim’s primary teaching fields are the principalship, school facilities, personnel management and general administration. He has successfully guided 49 doctoral students through the completion of their dissertations and degrees.

Jim is co-author and editor of Texas Public School Organization and Administration, the most comprehensive work available on Texas education, now in its sixth edition, and has authored or co-authored more than 40 journal articles. He is a past president of Texas Professors of Educational Administration, chapter president and district coordinator of Phi Delta Kappa and has served as a consultant to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. International education is a special professional interest. Jim has served for three summers on the faculty of international study programs to the United Kingdom and on two medical/educational missions to Russia.

Jim retired in 1994 as a lieutenant colonel with 27-1/2 years of service in the Air Force Reserves. He has been active in the United Methodist Church, the Red Cross, the Sierra Club and Boy Scouts, of which he has been a member for 46 years, and is the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service. He lives in Garland, Texas, and is the father of Scott and Mark. Jim is the son of Hadley Vornberg of Overland and the late Gladys Vornberg, who taught for many years at Home Heights, Midland and Old Overland schools. Jim’s brother, Dan, lives in the St. Louis area.

Laura Jeane Downey Bell
Class of 1939

Recognized for a distinguished career as a nurse and health care administrator and for her contributions to civic and church activites. The recipient of many professional honors, Laura and her husband, David, a former member of the Ritenour Board of Education, have nine children, 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One of their daughters, Ruth Bell Greco, is a current member of the Ritenour Board. Laura is the daughter of the late Harold and Mary Etta Downey.
 

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Julie A. Maxey Ferguson
Class of 1976

Set records as a basketball player at the University of Missouri, was an administrator with the Big Eight Conference and is now a public school teacher and coach, continuing her emphasis on academic and athletic excellence. The recipient of many athletic honors, Julie serves on local and national award selection committees. She has been named an Excellence In Teaching Award Winner and Teacher of the Year Finalist. She and her husband, Steve are the parents of Dawn, Ryan and Scott. Julie is the daughter of Don Maxey, a long-time Ritenour teacher and coach, and Dr. Bonnie Maxey, a former Ritenour teacher who is now an assistant superintendent in the Parkway School District. 

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Donell J. Gaertner
Class of 1950

As a Ritenour sophomore, began a 50-year career with the St. Louis County Library, including 29 years as its director. He oversaw the library’s expansion from nine to 17 sites and its development into one of the finest systems in Missouri. He was a leader in state and national library associations and won many awards for his outstanding service. Don and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of Karen and Keith. Don is the son of the late Elmer and Norine Gaertner.
 

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Major General Burton R. Moore
Class of 1959

A highly-decorated Air Force veteran, who is honored for a distinguished 28-year career that ranged from flying more than 100 combat missions in Vietnam to serving as director of operations for General H. Norman Schwartzkoff during Operation Desert Storm. Burt and his wife, Ilameta, are the parents of Meredith, an Air Force student at the Unviersity of South Carolina Medical School, and Jon, an Air Force C-9 pilot at Scott AFB, Illinois. Burt is the son of the late Samuel and Esther Moore.
 

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Thomas Morgan III
Class of 1969

Is recognized for an outstanding career in journalism, which has included positions with the Miami Herald, the Washington Post and the New York Times. He is the recipient of many professional honors, including the highest awards presented by the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the National Association of Black Journalists, of which he is a past president. Tom is the son of Thomas Morgan, Jr., of Breckenridge Hills and the late Loris Morgan.
 

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Vincent Piacentini, Jr.
Class of 1938

Is honored for his many contributions to the fine arts community and his brilliant career as a world-renowned consultant and designer of theaters and concert halls. He is known for hundreds on projects across the United States and in Canada, Greece, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan. Vince, who died in 1986, was the son of the late Vincent and Josephine Piacentini and brother of Virginia Piacentini of Overland.
 

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Dr. Larry A. Viehland
Class of 1965

Is an internationally-recognized scientific researcher. Since 1977, he has been a faculty member at Parks College of Saint Louis University, where he chairs the Department of Science and Mathematics. Internationally-known as a consultant and presenter in the U.S., England, Austria, Wales, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Japan, the Netherlands, Greece, Norway and New Zealand. Larry is also the author or co-author of more than 80 scientific publications and textbooks. He and his wife, Claudia are the parents of Jeremy, a graduate of MIT, and Brian, a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Larry is the son of Beulah Viehland Gingry and the late Harold Viehland.