Memorials

2025

Dr. James Sandfort -  passed away on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, following a courageous fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was 81 years old. Dr. Sandfort earned his Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his Master of Arts in Teaching at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). His first assignment was at McClure High School where he taught History and Geopolitics. He returned to the University of Missouri College of Education, where he was awarded a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) degree in 1971. Prior to working at Lindbergh, he served as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Administrative Services at Parkway School District, and as a high school principal in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

Dr. Sandfort served as Superintendent of Lindbergh Schools from July 1991 through June of 2008. In trying to consolidate the numerous and amazing/wonderful work and success Dr. Sandfort came to have in his career and retirement, the following comes from his obituary: 

During his time at Lindbergh, Jim directed the district to new levels of academic excellence, and also focused it on a responsibility for character development beyond the classroom. He sequentially steered schools across the district to recognition as National Schools of Character; and in a crowning career achievement, Lindbergh was named a National District of Character the year Jim retired – the only district in America to receive such recognition that year (South County Times, June 6, 2008). When asked once about his leadership philosophy and longevity, he said simply, “We just did what was best for the kids and the taxpayers.”

Amy Kathleen Burr Richards - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Amy Kathleen Burr Richards on April 26, 2025, at the age of 64.  Amy began her career at Lindbergh in 1984 and retired in 2016. She worked at  the High School, Sperreng, Truman, and Kennerly.  Amy touched the lives of many students through her teaching of middle and high school French, third grade science, and character education.  

Norman V. Jump - passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025. He was 83 years old. 

Norm worked for the Lindbergh School District from 1969 - 2003!  He taught a variety of classes including American History, World History, Geography and Latin. 

Gary Dean Lewis - passed away on February 2nd, 2025.  He began his teaching career of 30 years at Mehlville High School, then taught American History at Lindbergh High School for the remainder of his career. 

    2024

Leonard Limbaugh - passed away Wednesday, December 24th, 2024. He was 96 years old! Leonard was a lifelong Lindbergh Educator and one of the founders of the Lindbergh Retired Educators Association.  Leonard worked in Lindbergh School District from 1957 - 1985!  He began his career as a 9th grade Algebra teacher. He became an assistant principal a few years later. His first year as an assistant principal was at the 8th grade center. Leonard transferred over to The Middle School in the early 70's. Then, he moved to Sperreng as assistant principal there, retiring in 1985. 

Arleen C. Fowler - who was a fourth grade teacher at Lindbergh for over 30 years, passed away on October 13. Arleen was 88 years old, and resided in Hermann, MO. 

Don L. Pollinger - passed away on September 24. Don was 86 years old and lived in Washington, Missouri. He graduated from Lindbergh High School and then went on to graduate from Greenville College. Don earned his master's degrees from Indiana State University and the University of Missouri. Don was the first LHS graduate to return and teach at Lindbergh, retiring after 31 years and inspiring countless students with his passion for earth science. 

Diane M. Wagner - passed away on Saturday, July 24th, 2024.  Diane was a former Lindbergh Schools employee working at the Athletics Department.  After her retirement she subbed for the district.  Mrs. Wagner was also a member of the Sappington Historical Society. 

Diane Schuttenhelm - passed away on Saturday, July 6th, 2024.  Diane started her 30 year career with Lindbergh Schools working at Concord Elementary and then switched to Kennerly Elementary where she taught 3rd grade. She retired in 1995. 

Mary Louise Stadler - passed away on June 6th, 2024. Mary was a second grade teacher at Dressel Elementary School in the 1960's. She only taught for 6 years, as she became a mom and chose to be a homemaker, wife and mother.  

Robert L. Underwood - passed away on June 20th, 2024. Robert began his teaching at St. Louis Public Schools. He was a 5th grade teacher for Lindbergh from 1959 to 1985 specifically at Sappington and Kennerly Elementary Schools. He loved to say that he spent 31 years in the fifth grade, one as a student and 30 years as the teacher! 

Joan Fussner - passed away on June 13th, 2024.  A friend to many, Joan taught for 24 years in the Lindbergh School District. She began in 1971 as a fifth grade teacher at Sappington Elementary. Joan then went on to teach 4th grade for a few years and eventually moved to Long Elementary as a first grade teacher! Joan loved teaching and was beloved by many students, as well as staff. She retired in 1995. 

Marlene E. Rice - We were sorry to hear she passed away on April 21, 2024. She began her career at Long Elementary as a Kindergarten teacher.  She also worked with the Special School District.  She lived in the district and was an active Lindbergh parent as her children graduated from Lindbergh.  

Curtis E. Meeks - It is with deep sadness that we share that Mr. Curtis E. Meeks passed away on January 20, 2024.  He was 91.  Curtis was a Shop / Woodworking Teacher at the high school.   

2023

Jean Skarda - Jean Skarda passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Jean was a native Chicago girl and came to St. Louis when her husband Wayne was transferred here. Jean taught at Concord, Kennerly and Truman Elementary. After a long career in Lindbergh, she retired in 1999.   

Kenneth J. "Ken" Wagner - retired Sperreng MS teacher, coach, and husband of retired home economics teacher Marti Wagner- passed away on August 7, 2023. 

Angela Long Remes - retired Concord School 5th grade teacher - passed away at age 109. She recently lived at her home at Cape Albeon Assisted Living, Valley Park, Missouri. Angela began her career as an elementary school teacher when she was very young, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse near DeSoto, Missouri, sometimes riding a horse to school. After raising her family, she returned to teaching 4th grade in Webster Groves School District and finished her 30-year teaching career in the Lindbergh School District. She donated her body to St. Louis University Medical School.  

Louis Edward "Lou" Lorch - passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2023, at age 96. Lou coached basketball and golf at LHS before retiring. He was the last surviving child of eight children born to Joseph and Anna Geisler Lorch on October 17, 1926, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Lou served in WWII on the destroyer, the USS Ammen. After the war he attended the University of Missouri where he married his longtime sweetheart. They were married 75 years.

He began his coaching career in small towns in the bootheel of Missouri, coaching basketball to both men and women, as well as volleyball. Having success at each stop led to job opportunities at larger and larger schools. Lou finally landed at Lindbergh High School in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. There he had several teams reach the state basketball tournament finals. Becoming very fond of golf, Lou also coached golf for several years before his eventual retirement, again with several successful teams and individual players. 

Donald R. "Don" Masker- passed away June 21 at age 93.  Don taught P E at Watson, Crestwood, Concord, Kennerly and Sperreng and was in Lindbergh 40 years.

2022

Mary Jane Schnitker passed away on December 28, 2022.  Mary Jane worked at Truman Elementary and taught Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd Grades.

Gerald "Jerry" Lee Hoevelmann - spouse of retired Long School Secretary, Betty Hoevelmann-passed away December 16, 2022, following a lengthy battle with COPD. Jerry was also the father of recently retired Lindbergh teacher Jennifer Lages, who taught at Long, Sperreng and Truman Middle. 

Allen W. Russell - Lt. Col Allen W. Russell (ret), 76, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on November 17, 2022.

 Allen taught for 21 years for the Lindbergh School District, at the Sperring Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he again mentored his students in following their own dreams. He was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for Missouri 2006-2007 and "Inspirational Teacher of the Year" for Missouri in 2015. 

Paul J. Hicks - husband of retired LHS math teacher Veronica Hicks-passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Some of you may remember that Veronica taught at Sperreng M.S. prior to joining LHS staff. 

Mary Elizabeth Leonard - retired LHS Home Economics teacher-passed peacefully at her home on August 15th. She was 99 years old. 

Ronald "Ron" Oberkirsch - husband of retired Kennerly teacher Bonnie Oberkirsch-passed away April 5, 2022. Ron was a member of the Carpenters' Union Local No. 1596 from 1965-1989 when he retired.  

Robert H. "Bob" Tobler - retired Lindbergh School District Instrumental Music Director-passed away 2/24/2022 at age 87. 

Bob's family describe him as having had a love of music and a gift for teaching. 

Jill Lueking - retired Crestwood 4th grade teacher-passed away suddenly Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Prior to joining the Crestwood staff, Jill was a member of the Long School faculty. 

  2021

Evelyn Ruth Lancaster-retired LHS art teacher-passed away peacefully on August 20, 2021, at age 99 at her Peculiar, Missouri, home. During World War II, Evelyn worked as an artist at Curtiss-Wright drawing intricate 360 degree views of airplane parts. She then taught a year at Ritenour High School before beginning her 28-year art career at Lindbergh High School.  

Cynthia Ann Jaskowiak - former principal of Lindbergh High School-passed away on September 7, 2021, after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. She worked at LHS in the late 80s and early 90s.  

Elma I. Armistead - retired Associate Superintendent of Lindbergh Schools-passed away September 5, 2021, at the age of 100. Dr. Armistead served 41 years in various teaching and administrative positions in Lindbergh District. 

Marvin A. Stuhlmann - retired LHS English/life skills/reading teacher-passed away August 3rd due to complications from Alzheimer's. Marvin was a Vietnam War US Navy veteran. 

Wayne C. Ashwell, life member of LHSAA and longtime Lindbergh advocate, passed away peacefully at his home on August 10th, 2021.

Dolores Schuchardt - widow of former Sperreng Middle School social studies teacher, Don Schuchardt-passed away July 31, 2021, following a period of declining health. 

Nancy Rodgers - worked at Sperreng Middle School as a teaching assistant for at least 17 years - passed away on July 16, 2021. She had been very active at her church during retirement, as well as a volunteer for Lydia's House.  

Mary Beth Krull worked for SSD in Lindbergh in early childhood diagnostics. She was at Concord when it was ECE, and later retired. Mary Beth passed away suddenly June 7, 2019, after suffering an aneurysm and became an organ donor. Her husband Jim shared that four St. Louis women are alive and living much better lives because of her gifts. It was just part of her caring and kind nature. 

Vincent J. "Vince" Domagalski - retired Crestwood Elementary School custodian-passed away in February of 2018. 

Hobert Johnson - retired Sperreng Middle School counselor-passed away June 24th at the age of 98.  

Lloyd Kraatz - retired Sperreng Middle School reading specialist-passed away April 23rd following a long illness. He taught 26 years in Lindbergh School District before retiring in 1997. Prior to coming to Lindbergh, Lloyd taught in St. Louis Public Schools.  

Helen B. Gillespie (nee Limbaugh)- retired Lindbergh elementary school music educator-passed away April 7, 2021, two weeks after her 99th birthday. She was at one time coordinator of music for the Lindbergh elementary schools, and was employed by the district for nearly 35 years 

William Engel - father-in-law of retired elementary counselor Robbie Engel, passed away peacefully at age 97 on

March 28, 2021. 

Janet Shamia - retired Sperreng Middle School secretary-passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021. She had been in declining health. Janet and husband Constantin (Gus) were married over 53 years with two children and five grandchildren. She had progressed from volunteering at the school that her children attended to becoming secretary to the head principal at Sperreng. Her career in Lindbergh School District spanned more than 30 years.

Albert Smith - father of retired Truman Elementary teacher Alexis Edmond-passed away February 4th at the age of 94 following a decline in his health. Mr. Smith was buried with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. He had served in the Army as a young man. 

Peggy Meador - retired SSD/social worker-passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021. She had been in declining health for a while.  

Clementine Henry - sister of retired Sperreng MS math teacher Betty Henry passed away following a long illness. 

 Donald L. "Don" Roussin, Sr. - retired Sperreng Middle School Social Studies teacher- passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021. Don served in the United States Army during the Korean War.  Along with his wife Bonnie, Don spent many years in Florida following his retirement from Lindbergh Schools. 

2020 - 2019

Doug Mattingly- brother of retired Sperreng M.S. English teacher, Diane Slattery-passed away Friday, October 4th.  

Richard C. Drexler, husband of retired Sperreng French teacher Susan Drexler, passed away January 1, 2020.  

Dr. Mary Zieger, retired Long Elementary School teacher and former assistant middle school principal, passed away in early April.  Mary taught Power Writing all over the district and was known by many.  She had been quite ill for the past year and was in and out of the hospital many times. 

James L. "Jim" Murphy, retired Sperreng Middle School 7th grade math teacher, passed away July 5.  Jim worked at Lindbergh for 30 years. 

Ronald W. Rebore, Sr., passed away on July 4.   Dr. Rebore was Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance at Lindbergh in the early 1980s. 

Loraine Bryant, mother of retired Sperreng SSD teacher Anita Baranski, passed away September 14, 2020, at age 92.  Anita describes her mother's life as one that was well-lived.

Sue Freeman, retired Sperreng Middle School counselor, passed away on October 1.  

Luena Mae "Lue" Forde, retired Kennerly Elementary second grade teacher, passed away on October 18.   Prior to joining the Kennerly staff, Lue taught second grade at Concord Elementary.  Her career spanned the 1960s through the 1980s.

Hillary Jardon - daughter of retired Truman Elementary teacher Marge Jardon-passed away on February 5th, 2020. 

Julie Clark, retired Crestwood Elementary School teacher, passed away November 5, 2019, following several months of declining health. She taught 30 years in Lindbergh School District. In retirement Julie was an ardent supporter of music and theater.

We recently learned that Jack Harp, art teacher for the Lindbergh School District most of his career, passed away in August of 2019 in Florida. Jack's twin brother, Jerry was also a Lindbergh art teacher. Jerry also passed away several years ago.

Robert "Bob" Schaefer, retired Lindbergh High School teacher, passed away October 19.  He is remembered for starting sociology classes at LHS.

Joy Engel, mother-in-law of Robbie Engel, retired Lindbergh guidance counselor, passed away on November 1, 2019. Joy was married to William Engel for 71 years and was truly a joy to her family and to all who knew and loved her. 

Richard Henry Burr, Jr., father of Amy Richards, retired teacher and character education coordinator, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2019. 

Robert F. "Bob" Suter, husband of retired Truman Elementary SSD teacher Carole Suter, passed away Monday, November 25, 2019. 

Marilyn Neil, retired Truman and Long Elementary first grade teacher, passed away November 27, 2019. Since retiring, Marilyn had been living in Fort Scott, Kansas, to be near family.