Ageless Honorees - 2017
Jack Batten
Jack Batten, 90, is a retired lieutenant and World War II veteran and an ordained minister who packs more into an average week than others decades younger. He continues his career serving as a substitute worship leader and preaches at various churches, drawing on life experience gained travelling to 67 different counties on every continent.
Sister Judith Ann Bell, FSM
Sister Judith Ann Bell, FSM, 76, worked for more than 50 years as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, dedicating her life to assuring the provision of the best possible care to those in need of healing. Her calling to religious life has seen her bring care and healing to the poor and sick in remote areas of the U.S. with a special concern for the elderly.
Judy Bentley
Judy Bentley, 79, is a nurse practitioner on a mission to assure access to healthcare and social services for those who are underserved in the St. Louis Metropolitan community. Judy founded and for the past 27 years has been president and CEO of Community Health-in-Partnership Services (CHIPS), the largest free health clinic in St. Louis.
Don Carlson
Don Carlson, 82, volunteers each week to collect tons of food for area food pantries at the Ladue Chapel and St. Louis Area Food Bank, tutors fifth graders at Hamilton School, and serves his church as an ordained elder. Don is also a long-time volunteer and supporter of ALIVE and the Women’s Self Help Center which deals with the prevention of domestic violence and the support of its victims.
Will and Helen Carpenter
Will Carpenter, 85, and Hellen Carpenter, 81, have achieved much throughout their 57 years as a married couple, changing the lives of others along the way. As advocates for education, the couple has funded scholarships at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Webster University, Purdue, Mississippi State University, Springfield University in Massachusetts and Oklahoma State.
Louis Cohen
Louis Cohen, 80, a retired co-owner of a food manufacturing arm of Allen Foods, now volunteers his time, wisdom and enthusiasm tutoring with the OASIS Institute. For the past 14 years, Lou has enjoyed tutoring academically at-risk students to help them improve their reading skills and self-esteem and discover talents they never knew they had.
Arthur Gale
Arthur Gale, 87, has practiced internal medicine for 54 years and still sees patients two days a week. He is a contributing editor to the Missouri Medicine Journal, and has published three collections of essays analyzing the challenges and shortcomings of our health care system. Dr. Gale has advocated for physicians and patients in the halls of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, testifying before legislative committees and appearing before governmental and regulatory bodies.
Barbara Gehringer
Barbara Gehringer, 79, retired from practicing and teaching nursing in 1999, but that doesn’t mean she slowed down. Today, Barbara and her dog, Maggie, regularly visit local senior communities, bringing the residents the gift of friendship and canine companionship.
Raymond Hofstetter
Raymond Hoffstetter, 91, has been staying active during his 25 years of retirement volunteering at various organizations. An Emmy award winner who has met countless world leaders and covered wars and disasters, he is a regular at Sappington House and White Haven, where he shares his love of history and his engaging personality with audiences young and old, reflecting on his incredible experiences gained over a 50-year career as a cameraman, editor and archivist at Channel 5.
Ira Kodner
Ira Kodner, 76, a retired colorectal surgeon, discovered early in his career a need to teach medical personnel better ways to deal with patients and their families, which led him to a lifetime commitment to the study of medical ethics. Today, he is a nationally recognized expert in the field.
Theodore Kretschmar
Ernest Theodore “Ted” Kretschmar, 81, is a graduate of the Naval Academy, a Marine officer, church deacon, and a highly successful businessman. Leveraging the leadership skills gained in those roles, when he finally retired in 2008, Ted helped start and serves on the board of the Focus Marines Foundation, a volunteer-led nonprofit that helps psychologically wounded servicemen transition back into civilian life.
Joan and Norman Krumrey
Joan Krumrey, 83, and Norman Krumrey, 85, have been married for 59 years and raised five children while both juggled successful careers. Kicking back and relaxing was never an option for this ageless couple when they finally retired several years ago. On any given day, you’ll find them working the information desk in Forest Park, interpreting exhibits at the History Museum, greeting out-of-town visitors at Busch Stadium, or washing laundry at the Room at The Inn.
Judy Luepke
Judy Luepke, 80, a tour guide for a private company, decided to turn her love of St. Louis into a career and make herself available to conduct tours on a freelance basis. Now 50 years later, this Maryville University Alumna still gives tours of the city to various groups and counts in the thousands the number of people with whom she has shared the things she loves best about St. Louis.
Arthur McDonnell
Arthur McDonnell, 75, served as a dedicated public servant in the city of Kirkwood for 16 years; 8 years as a city councilman, and 8 years as the Mayor of Kirkwood. Additionally, he is the long-time owner of McDonnell’s Market Place grocery in Kirkwood.
Henrietta Parram
Henrietta Parram, 80, volunteers as a “master gardener” in her North St. Louis neighborhood, creating community gardens, organizing beautification projects and sharing her love of gardening with others. She educates community members on the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and provides hands-on instruction on how to grow food.
Judith Roberts
Judith Roberts, 81, has served as a 50-plus-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood as a Deacon, Trustee, Elder and as a co-chair of a recent three-year project that included renovation of the chancel. She generously supports a variety of other organizations through her time, talent and financial resources.
Earl Schultz
Earl Schultz, 86, retired in 2006 from private practice as a Neurologist and Psychiatrist after more than 40 years, but he continues to impact the lives of thousands of patients and physicians. Dr. Schultz now volunteers at a free clinic in St. Charles helping to meet the health care needs of low-income, uninsured residents.
William Siedhoff
William Siedhoff, 75, is the former director of Missouri’s Division of Family Services, where he oversaw a 6,000-employee agency delivering critical services statewide. As Human Services Director for the City of St. Louis, he implemented a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness that was hailed as a national model for moving homeless people into permanent housing.
Robert Snyder
Robert Snyder, 79, has spent the past six years since retiring from a successful accounting career advocating for individuals in long-term care communities as volunteer for the VOYCE Ombudsman Program. He visits long-term care communities at least once a week to identify issues, isolate particular areas of concern, and to skillfully resolve any challenges with compassion and respect for those living in the long-term care community.
Bernice Thompson
Bernice Thompson, 81, was named one of the “100 Most Inspiring St. Louisans” in 2009 by the St. Louis American, and she continues to be an inspiration today. She has remained active in her golden years as a counselor for Agape Christian Counseling, helping individuals and families cope with their challenges and find peace.