June 2020, Obituaries
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*Full obituaries listed below are taken from official announcements via newspaper, the internet, or from family members and are unedited. In absence of an official obituary announcement, date of death is provided. 1940s Donald T. Behrens, MD '48; Feb. '20 Donald "Don" Theodore Behrens M.D., born October 20, 1925, passed away with his family at his side on Friday, February 28, 2020. Born in Mt. Olive, Illinois to Theodore and Loneida Behrens (nee Niemann). He moved to St. Louis at a young age with his parents and younger siblings, Gerald and Miriam. He graduated from Washington University School of Medicine, completed his residency at City Hospital, served in the Air Force Medical Corps at Loring Air Force Base in Caribou, Maine, and returned to St. Louis where he established a General Surgery practice at multiple area hospitals including Incarnate Word, Alexian Brothers, Lutheran, St. Lukes and St. Anthony's Hospitals. He was one of only a few surgeons nationally who performed the BCIR procedure, a complex operation that dramatically improved the quality of life for colostomy patients. While in high school, Don met and courted the love of his life Audrey Soeker, whom he married on July 2, 1952. Don and Audrey raised six children in Ladue and eventually moved into Aberdeen Heights in Kirkwood, where Audrey resides now. Don was preceded in death by his daughter Carolyn; brother, Gerald Behrens M.D. and brother-in-law, Roland "Buck" Bethards, M.D. He is survived by his wife Audrey; sister, Miriam Bethards; sister-in-law, Dona Behrens; his children, Barbara Behrens, Gary (Evelyne Schuetz) Behrens, Julie (August Denhard) Behrens, Mark (Betsey Homeier) Behrens and Chris Behrens; Grandchildren, Joseph Behrens, Erica, Madelaine and Stephanie Behrens, Andrew and Sophie Denhard and Seviana and Titus Behrens; In addition to being a skilled and trusted surgeon, Dr. Behrens was an avid golfer, a highly competitive scrabble enthusiast and starting later in life, an accomplished artist whose metal sculptures can be seen at the City Museum and throughout the grounds and hallways of Aberdeen Heights. Joseph S. Bierman, LA '45; MD '50; May '20 Dr. Joseph Smith Bierman, formerly of St. Louis MO, passed away peacefully at the age of 93, on May 17, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife Babette Rosenbush Bierman, his son Paul Bierman (Christine Massey), his daughter Jane Bierman Seibel(Eric Seibel) and his grandchildren Marika and Quincy Massey-Bierman and Clayton and Asher Seibel. Published in Baltimore Sun on May 24, 2020. David Feldman, MD '43; March '20 David Feldman, MD died peacefully in his sleep March 24, 2020 at his home in Malibu, California at the age of 101. He practiced medicine in St. Louis and St. Louis County for 52 years, retiring in 1994, and moving to California in 2013. He is survived, and much missed, by daughters Betsy Feldman and Deborah Sinensky, son-in-law David Sinensky, grandson Joel Sinensky, and dearest friend, Henrietta Schlesinger, as well as loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Dr. Feldman, known to friends and family as Dave, was able to complete a phrase in Wheel of Fortune up until his last few days of life, declaring, “Peppermint Stick Shift!“ A celebration of Dave’s life (and of all our freedom) will be planned when the country is out of lockdown. Published in STL Jewish Light on June 01, 2020 Fred P. Handler, MD '47; April '20 Handler, Dr. Fred Phillip April 20, 2020, age 95. Passed of complications from Coronavirus. Beloved husband of Estelle Voda Handler z'l for 72 years. Dear father of Drs. Nancy (Marshall) Levine, Dr. Michael (Gabrielle) Handler, Gary (Jutta) Handler, Elizabeth (Susan Kron) Handler and the late Dr. Robert (Diane) Handler. Loving grandfather of Matthew Levine, Julie (Eli) Hammerman, Dr. Nathan (Katelyn) Handler, Daniel Handler, Benjamin Handler, Dr. Stacy Handler and David Handler. Beloved great-grandfather to Noah, Molly, Tyler, Theodore and Henry. Dear brother of the late Julia Broad. Our dear uncle, cousin and friend. Fred and Estelle raised their busy brood of five in Jefferson City, MO where Fred maintained his medical practice. Upon retirement, they returned to their beloved St. Louis where they enjoyed the St. Louis Symphony, live theater, traveling and warm winters in Phoenix, AZ. Fred will be remembered as a committed husband, a devoted father, an epic storyteller and gifted teacher to all. Carl W. Hill, HS; May '20 Jan. 21, 1925 - May 6, 2020 Dr. Carl W. Hill of Rancho Palos Verdes passed away peacefully at home on May 6, 2020 after a lengthy illness. He was 95 years old. Carl was born on January 21, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Karl and Sadie Hill. When he was 5 years old, the family moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, where he spent his formative years. After high school, Carl attended college and medical school at the University of Toronto. He then did his surgical residency at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis, he met his first wife Lavenia, with whom he would have 3 children. In 1955, Carl became a medical officer in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. Upon completion of his service, he decided to work and raise his family in San Pedro, and he was a resident there and in RPV for 65 years. Dr. Hill was a surgeon in private practice for over 40 years, performing operations from the time San Pedro Hospital was a small brick building through its transition to the facility that we see today. During that time, he was always well liked and respected by his colleagues and patients. He was kind and generous to everyone, especially to his family, who all loved him greatly. His spirit will live on inside all of those that knew and loved him. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Arlene, and his first wife Lavenia. He is survived by his wife Loretta, his children William Rock Hill, Wendy Hill Williams (Scott), and Forest Hill (Laurie), and by his grandchildren Brittany Hill, Caitlin Williams (Leiel Hazut), Tess Hill and Garrett Williams. John O. Kildow, MD '48; Jan. '20 Dr. John Kildow was born January 23, 1925 in Deer Lodge, Montana to George and Alice Kildow. John passed away on January 18, 2020 in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. He attended Post Falls High School, Washington State College, Whitman College, and Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri. He practiced surgery in Missoula, Montana from 1955 to 1972 and in El Centro, California from 1972 until 1975. He served as a physician at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington from 1982 until retirement in 2010. Military service included the Navy during WWII, the Air Force during the Korean War, and again from 1975 until 1979. He was baptized at age 13 as a member of the Presbyterian Church in Post Falls, Idaho. The pressures and demands of professional life gave little time for family bonding. In later years, viewing the character and accomplishments of his children and their families made him realize how fortunate he was despite the lack of time he had to share with them. His relationship with God was very personal. Because of forgiveness, he looked for eternal life through the sacrifice, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He understands the sorrow of those who mourn his passing, for they are the ones who suffer most. John is survived by his wife, Martha; children, Linda Johnson, Mark Kildow, Sylvia Kildow, Aleta Kantor, and Jennifer Sinnema, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Stanley L. London, MD '49; June '20 Dr. Stanley London, June 8, 2020, beloved husband of 69 years to Jacqueline Garrell; dear father of James, Cindy Krelle (Jim), and David; loving grandfather to Joseph Krelle (Joy), Louis Krelle (Nancy), Dr. Bradley London and Lauryn London; loving great grandfather to Owen Krelle, Catherine Krelle, Madison Krelle, Charlotte Krelle, and Cora Krelle; dear son to the late Dr. Maurice and Mary London, late brother Atty. Norman S. London and late sister Thelma London (late Jim) Riley. He was born on December 5, 1925 and grew up in Springfield, IL. He attended DePaw University and Washington University medical school and went on to a residency at Barnes Hospital. There he met his wife Jacqueline Garrell, who was a patient, and they were married in 1951. He then went into the Navy as a doctor stationed at Paris Island. A fierce athletic competitor, he managed to play baseball and basketball during his medical school years at Washington University. Once in private practice as a general surgeon, he was asked to be the team physician for the St. Louis Hawks basketball team from the years 1955 - 1968, treating such great athletes as Charlie Share, Al Ferrari, Ed McCauley, Cliff Hagan, and Bob Pettit under the ownership of Ben Kerner. In 1968 he became the head physician for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, spanning a 30 year commitment to to some of the best athletes in the game. General managers Bing Devine, Whitey Herzog, and Dal Maxville were a few he considered good friends. Players like Joe Torre, Bob Gibson, Bob Forsch, Stan Musial, and John Tudor all thrived under his expert care. He also had a long time professional and friend relationship with head Trainer Gene Gieselman and Field House Manager Buddy Bates. He is always seen in the front row behind home plate in old Busch Stadium footage ready to run out on the field if needed, only missing a handful of games due to medical emergencies over the decades of his service.