Gene Engelhardt

Gene Engelhardt, 89, of St. Louis died Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

He was born June 19, 1923.

Beloved husband of Delba Hartle Engelhardt; dear father of Diane (Matt) Heinicke, the late Jon (Carol) Engelhardt, Elaine Kimker, Mark (Lee Ann Bridges) Engelhardt and Richard (Karen) Engelhardt; devoted grandfather; and loving great-grandfather.

Gene graduated from Qulin High School, earned a bachelor of science in education from Southeast Missouri State University, a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Ph.D. from St. Louis University.

He was an educator 68 years: teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, school board member and university professor. Having started his career as a teacher in a one-room school, Gene later became the first middle school principal in Missouri and was named by the Missouri State Board of Education as a Missouri Pioneer in Education.

Gene served as elementary principal in New Madrid, Mo., principal and coach at Lutesville High School (Woodland), superintendent at Patton (Meadow Heights), as well as principal at College High School and instructor at Southeast Missouri State University. In addition, he served as teacher and coach at Lower Davis, Fagus, Webb, Qulin and Risco public schools.

Gene was an administrator in the Lindbergh School District for 27 years. After retiring, he continued to serve the district nine more years as a school board member and also served as board president.

As a way to expand his dedication to help youth throughout the world, Gene became an active member in Kiwanis. He served as the Crestwood-Sunset Hills charter president, Kiwanis Camp Wyman board member, lt. governor and governor of the Missouri-Arkansas District. Kiwanis International recognized him as the No. 1 governor of the world. Gene was a Kiwanis International board trustee and president of Kiwanis International Foundation.

Gene was named Citizen of the Year in 1987 and 1996 by the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, he was recognized as a St. Anthony Society Ageless Remarkable St. Louisian.

The funeral was May 11 at Kutis Affton Chapel. Burial was in St. Paul Churchyard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Gene Engelhardt Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made to the Lindbergh Schools Foundation, 4900 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63126.