Soft Landings

The opportunities to get the band together are fewer and farther between. So when Rowdy proposed a round at the Landings at Spirit on Black Friday it seemed like just what the doctor ordered. Yesterday, Allison, my daughter-in-law hosted a spectacular Thanksgiving as she approaches a due-date just about a month away. That gathering included along with my incredible daughter-in-law, my son, my wife and her brother and mom in from Memphis. My daughter Lindsey surprised us with a visit to St. Louis with her newborn in tow last week. I’m feeling like I have much for which to be thankful.

Dave Cox has three remarkable girls, the oldest of which is a Creighton University Blue Jay who plans to study in Florence, Italy next year. Tom Shaughnessy’s daughter is a proud Notre Dame Lawyer and Rowdy Jones daughter is a recently married Dartmouth grad and her little brother is a soccer star at Wisconsin. But we are stoic golfers who only share those moments about family between tee shots.

Time marches on and we are still men of a certain age consumed by ourselves and measuring our self-worth in the context of competition – with ourselves and our comrades in arms. The beauty of golf partners you have had for almost two decades is that you can measure up in some twisted statistically significant way if you look at data over time, in real time or in your own augmented reality. It doesn’t really matter. You always win.

Rowdy shared slices of his own home-made cherry pie over a cold beer in the clubhouse. And the scorecard review reveals, not surprisingly, the shot of the day is a 40 foot putt for a birdie two on hole #5 by Shaughnessy. But we all leave the course with a memory of something that happened because we showed up. We are alive and well. We are blessed beyond all of our own expectations.

We did not gush about those things for which we are thankful, but we are all indeed most grateful for each and every one of our accounts of A Wonderful Life.    

Mohau Modisakeng

Mohau Modisakeng was born in Soweto in 1986. He completed his undergraduate degree at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, Cape Town, in 2009.  He lives and works between Johannesburg and Cape Town. He was just 8 years old when Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa. “I am a visual artist,”  proclaims Mohau but he is very articulate about the context in which his work emerges. Large photographic prints and video are part of this show. 

  

We are in the Midwestern U.S. and he is speaking at the Adam Aronson Fine Arts Center on the first Saturday in November 2016. Temperatures are moderate and turnout for this gallery talk is modest. The exhibition of Mohau Modisakeng is supported by Adrienne D. Davis, Alison and John Ferring, Patricia Smith-Thurman and the Des Lee Collaborative Vision at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, with assistance from a gallery in Cape Town.

Marilu Knode, the museum executive director, kicks off the discussion and opens up to those in attendance. Mohau confesses that he is nervous. He is a soft-spoken young man, but in spite of less than optimal acoustics in this remarkable space, he shares a bit about his inspiration. “My mother was a dreamer. She was a healer in our culture,” he offers, “I  was able to travel to London and visit the Tate museum.”  He added that he was able to meet Johannesburg, South Africa born artist Jane Alexander. The artist helped convinced Mohau that artists must overcome obstacles and difficulties to be successful.

Afterwords, Mohau relaxed on a bench near Judith Shea’s Heartland Garden near the estate house at Laumeier Sculpture Park, chatting with a new friend (a contemporary woman of color) who wanted to know more about what it was like to study in an Eurocentric environment such as the university in Cape Town, Maybe she also wanted to know what the artist thought about living in a place in time in after Apartheid (that system of racial discrimination that was in place from 1948-1994 in South Africa).

This is a beautiful day to also view the installation of local artists Alison Ouellette-Kirby and Noah Kirby. The piece, Arena, made possible by Nancy and Ken Kranzberg, is on view adjacent to the South Lawn in the park.  

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Operation Rob

As you face adversity it is still about us;

If you had half a brain you would be dangerous.

Sure, roll the dice. Put a hotel on Baltic Avenue;

Hopes and prayers are always with you.

Collect $200 as you pass GO;

You can’t expect to win. This you already know.

FREE Parking, take a rest;

CHANCE card says cash in. You are the best.

Those incredible dragons on the spot;

It doesn’t take a genius to see they love you a lot.

Tokens, play money, moving space to space;

The game is the thing. Find your place.

The edge water compound is a shared context;

We get older and wonder what will be next.

It has always been as clear as day;

We started.  We continue to play.

Upon reflection we can see;

Living, loving. finding joy, destiny.

The action in an instant --- in a blink

It happens so fast --- no time to think

 

Count the money. Count the things.

Count the Blessings that your family brings.

Who owns BOARDWALK and PARK PLACE?

No matter. Tomorrow maybe you win at Crazy Eights.

Alive and well as one can plainly see;

In the home of the brave and the land of the free

Who cares who gets to boast?

Isn’t it just the little things that matter most? 

P.S. Happy Birthday Rob - August 30

110%

My Brother Rob always gives 110%. We all agree the idea of giving even more than you have (by as much as 10%) is crazy. Nevertheless, we have known football coaches, notably at Saint Luke Grade School (where I was co-captain) and at Lakewood High School (where Rob was a co-captain). If you grow up in a large Catholic family, you believe in miracles. That makes 110% seem like a fair expectation coming from a football coach. If you participate in sports at any level, you are quick to embrace countless metaphors.       

Rob has a rare tumor  the size of a ping pong ball in lower part of his brain stem (lower medulla). Doctors could not be sure if the tumor is benign or malignant so surgery is scheduled for July 13, 2016. “A biopsy on the tumor would tell whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Initial results of the biopsy are available quickly, within 15 minutes. Depending on the results of the biopsy, they may continue the process to remove as much of the tumor as possible. They won't likely be able to remove it all.” Rob reports with his own brand of clinical precision.

So surgery is tomorrow on July 13, 2016 at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. Rob will be with wife of 34 years, Joy and their 3 amazing children: Megan (28), Tara (25) and Kevin (23). Our brother Greg is flying in as a show of support. Our brother Dan will arrive sometime after the surgery. (If you are counting – there are five brothers and one sister in our immediate generation ... plus kids and kids having kids too.)

Today, the day before the scheduled surgery, Rob and I exchanged a typical albeit a bit cryptic series of text messages:

Me: Godspeed

Rob: Prep/Clinic: all ready for tomorrow. It will all go well. I know it. (Message sent with picture above.)

Me: Game face on. Robo always gives 110%

Rob: As Mom always said you can’t give 110%. That’s stupid. But do your best. I plan to do just that.

Me: Mom never played football. Everyone expects 110% from you.

Rob: Okay, 110% it is.

That tells you a lot. I am certain Rob will give it all he's got. He'll have the love and support of family and friends. I, for one, believe in miracles. I have seen Rob play football. I was never very good at math - so 110% seems do-able enough to me. I will also be praying for divine intervention.   

Update - Benign. He gave 110%. Prayers answered. He was home in 48 hours. Superman. Special thanks to Uncle Uber Greg and the amazing Dragons. Go Team!

AMA GOLF 2016

Creve Coeur Golf Course hosts American Marketing Association Championship 2016

Once again the American Marketing Association launched an Independence Day weekend with its annual golf outing at Creve Coeur Golf Course. The venue has hosted our annual golf event for the bulk of our events in the last twenty years.  No-one has taken better care of us. This year 30 golfers competed for the coveted Traveling Trophy. Tim Nenninger of MAR graphics is our low net champion with a score of 40. Creve Coeur City Councilman Ted Ruzicka earned closest to the pin prize on #9. Brad Wahlgren was closest to the pin on #2.

Bob Mastis, incoming President of the American Marketing Association, St. Louis Chapter fielded a team. His firm Digital Intersection’s team included Justin Payne who was winner of the the longest drive contest on #8. (He crushed it!) Justin, if not for struggles on the challenging hole number six, might have earned the title. Ted Ruzicka, Brad Wahlgren and John Probst were in the hunt as well.

Sneller Creative contributed a double wall acrylic GULP tumbler to all golfers who participated. In addition, Sandbox Creative contributed pre-chilled designer water for all players. Golfers also got a goody bag that included a sleeve of balls, tees, a chip clip (from AMA), a glow stick (from Morgan Studio/East) and commemorative coins (from Clayco).

Sandbox Creative once again served with all art direction, graphics and social media promotion prior to the event. Dave Cox, Randy Niederer, Troy Libbra and “Photo Matt” suggested "Delta" feedback for next year: Work on attracting more female players and also enhance the on-course beverage service. (Fair enough)

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate the first day of our chapter year. Contact Bob Mastis or Wes Morgan about joining the St. Louis Chapter of the American Marketing Association. We hope to see you at event luncheons, networking gatherings, collegiate functions, and other gatherings during the

year. www.ama-stl.org for details.

Above top: the Infamous traveling trophy won this year by Tim Nenninger --- Foursome: Marco Tocco of Rock Solid Branding, Matt from Contegix, Rowdy Jones of Compear and Tom Shaughnessy of Group 360. ---- Creve Coeur City CouncilmanTed Ruzicka. ---- Dave Cox, Steve Allen, Justin Payne and Randy Niederer toast with GULP double wall acrylic attendance prize from Sneller Creative 

        

Digital Dan 2016 Birthday Poem

Digital Dan

Let me tell you about digital Dan.

Dayton Flyer, photographer, the man with a plan;

Sometimes, self righteous and quick to attack.

Spikey white hair wearing all black.

Single lens focus, an eye for composition;

Shrewd, at times crude, when it comes to competition.

Brother he’s known for his sensitivity;

A crybaby, quitter and a bit of a sissy;

But notice --- it is he who boldly hits the road;

The truth belongs to the teller or so I am told.

A well framed layout and a flash;

All other options in the trash.

Set aside what you thought was true;

As we salute the Red the White and the Blue.

A portrait, a journal, a tabletop, on fire or on ice;

A picture speaks louder than words. Isn’t that nice!

In an instant an image is captured and treasured in time;

Cherished, preserved, recorded --- history is kind.

Better than an interpretation --- the ideal is fine.

Parallax displacement, out of focus, or out of line;

Brush the imperfections and photo-shop away;

Digital Dan saves the day. 

Happy Birthday Rex.

Four Dads Playing a Round

Pausing on hole #5 of a round on Friday someone spontaneously offers a toast.  The band is back together at Normandie Golf Course the Friday before Father’s  Day. “To Mackenzie, Nick, Jack, Ally, Grace, Nicole, Danny(Dannielle), Sammy(Samantha), Lindsey and Ben.” A foursome of proud Dads hardly aware how often their progeny come up in conversational bits and pieces between tee-boxes, scanning the rough spots for errant golf balls and lining up putts. We know we are blessed. We are stoic and yet all share soft spots in our hearts for those kids.  “To our own dads” – of whom half are now deceased – we are reminded of the passages of time and our own mortality.    

Rowdy Jones, Dave Cox, Tom Shaughnessy and Wes Morgan make a point to get together this way periodically. Not too long ago this confluence of chronies could consist of a dozen (or more) and include a long weekend at the lake with cigars, karaoke, fast food, and perhaps an occasional local tavern or strip joint between tee-times. We are really just kids ourselves.      

You can feel a warm breeze on this day and note the ninety degree rule (which could well be a reference to the temperature). The grounds crew is busy and ever present the first few holes. We are men comfortable in our own skin --- just happy to be surveying the green vistas. Rowdy, from under a wide brim straw hat, quotes Tom Kite who described the pressure of being a professional golfer as keeping the number of mistakes in a round to one (or less). Laughingly we know the frequency of error will be at a somewhat higher rate for us. (But, as always, we do the best we can with joy in the journey.)

The "dynamic pricing" online promotion determined the value-oriented timing of this round and it is clear that law and order of a private club is not part of this public venue. A five-some in three carts in front of us and several singles came out to play. Our round concluded in more than five hours. We hardly noticed the slowing of the pace of play on the back nine because we were enjoying being together. We savor each hole and admit we are old enough now and need not play from the tips. (A decision we made and stuck with to the end.)

An uneventful round with a few laughs concludes with the usual banter in the parking lot as we look over the scorecard for something to brag about. Par for the course. A lovely afternoon.

Normandie Golf Club was built in 1901 and is the oldest Public golf course west of the Mississippi still in operation in its original location. It was designed by Robert Foulis, a disciple of Old Tom Morris of St. Andrews, Scotland. It's unique routing and throwback style is a golfing gem.  Above: Foursome at Cardinals game l to r: Wes, Dave, Tom, Rowdy    

School is Out

School is out, the work is done;

Pupils anticipate a summer of fun.

Grades, reports, assessments in;

Teachers checking out, patience running thin.

Requirements, district compliance, common core for the state;

Plan, set boundaries, noble intentions --- out of the gate.

Make a difference, know your role,  honor your station;

Parents, community, a whole nation --- exceed expectation.

Positive behavior intervention support --- mental health;

Be the very best you can be, be a better self.

Together Everyone Achieves More -- a TEAM battle cry;

All hands on deck --- never mind exactly why.

Data-based decisions made in an instant;

Effective professional leadership development.

Be safe, be peaceful, be cooperative, be kind.

Heat of a moment --- think, look, listen before you find

Running with walkies, keys, urgency on the floor

Behaviors forgiven but not forgotten --- open the door

Admin, educator, specials, paraprofessionals  in play

We are all Students --- We learn every day

Take a break.

Contemplate ---  A phenomenon in a paranormal state

Next year --- greater than great

6:50 am --- Don’t be late.

Bulletin Illustration above by the incredible Michael Rash

Off Broadway with Parker Millsap

The Glory Bound Grahams opened with a set that included the lyrics - Put your hand in mine, it’s revival time… They set the stage for Parker Millsap with band mates Michael on Base and Daniel on Fiddle. The audience was treated to a well orchestrated show that worked its way up to Hades Pleads as the finale. On Friday the 13^th at Off Broadway in the Cherokee Lemp Historic District of St. Louis you couldn’t help contemplate life and death and good and evil. I’m gonna take you to my house on the Styx…On a long black train going clackety-click…I’m begging like Cerberus I’m begging like this…I’m beggin’…

Among Black & White photographic prints on the wall of the brick building venue are Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Bob Dylan. It is reminder of the dues great musicians pay on the road. The soundtrack for the evening is somewhere between Sympathy for the Devil and the Devil went down to Georgia. We are even invited to consider atomic annihilation from the title track on the new album The Very Last Day.

Last year, Parker moved to Nashville from his roots in Oklahoma. He lives with my Niece, Megan. I feel a connection with the band since I was fortunate enough to have seen them play the Rock House two years ago when Truck stop Gospel and Parker Millsap’s Pentecostal background was beginning to earn critical acclaim in music circles. The spirituality of this trio headed by the charismatic and youthful singer/songwriter fills the room with a joyful playfulness even through minor technical difficulties that are fixed with a jiggle of plug in to a surge protector on the floor. Parker suggests he might kick that plug if it acts up again. Daniel sarcastically encourages such a move. The sound engineer is, no doubt, working his magic to keep the show seamless.

Of course, there are t-shirts, merchandise and CD’s for sale as the guests at Off Broadway exit into a cool, misty St. Louis evening – almost midnight. I autographed three paperback copies of my book Failure Coach a novel by Wes Morgan to thank the band for coming to my town. Parker, Michael, Daniel – Regards from Meg’s favorite uncle.      

Photo above (l to r) - Michael Rose, Parker Millsap, Wes Morgan, Daniel Foulks in front of venue on May 13, 2016 before performances by The Grahams and Parker Millsap.

Pboto below (l to r) Michael Rose (base), Parker Millsap (guitar), Daniel Foulks (fiddle)

Meet and Greet

Shop a lot, magic spot;

A  twisted plot;

Up down;

All around town.

List, dis, kiss; 

Raise a fist, miss, enlist;

Try, cry, defy;

Never say die, fly.

Reach, teach;

Beach, beseech;

Fine line;

Rhyme time.

Sneeze, squeeze;

Freeze, please;

Fin, sin, win;

begin, again.

Tangled kites, missing strikes;

football swipes;

Charlie Brown – good grief;

In need of relief.

Snap, trap;

fair, fare, overlap;

Pick up sticks.

Dirty tricks.                                  

Eyeglass repair;

tattered underwear;

Snotty nose;

unraveled hose.

Lawn mow, rakes;

Spiders and snakes;

shovels and hoes;

And so it goes.

Hello Goodbye.

AMA Type Moving Forward

The American Marketing Association (AMA) has launched an upgrade and enhancement of its graphic standards for the future.  Though still in a roll out stage, AMA International Headquarters gave our professional chapter (St. Louis) a peak into the thought process. A notable piece of the proposed scheme is a move away from typeface Avant Garde to Gotham Rounded. That move alone suggests they are on the right track moving forward.

Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase designed Avant Garde around 1968. It was based on Lubalin’s logo for Avant Garde magazine. The original face was all uppercase. Avant Garde was the first typeface released by ITC when the company was founded in 1970. Next to being used in all types of art publications, Avant Garde was a classic in ’70s advertising design.

Gotham was born in 2000, when men’s fashion magazine GQ commissioned New York-based Hoefler & Frere-Jones to create a new typeface for use in their publication. Provided with a brief to create something “masculine, new, and fresh,” type designer Tobias Frere-Jones drew influences from post-war building signage and hand-painted letters seen around New York City. Using the seemingly plain, geometric lettering from New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal as the project’s touchstone, an American “working class” typeface was born.

Gotham Rounded similarly unadorned but at a more intimate size. It is reminiscent of the lettering of engineering: the marks on precision instruments, blueprints, stencils and templates. Drawn, stamped, engraved and routed, forms are sensitively captured by the Gotham Rounded family. It is a technical letter that goes from friendly to high-tech to cheeky with ease

AMA has more than 75 professional chapters and dozens more collegiate chapters and special interest groups in the U.S. (with a number of international initiatives as well). Getting its brand in alignment while supporting all factions is an exercise in diplomacy and leadership. It could be too soon to project the success of this graphic image overhaul but in light of the sea changes in the worlds of marketing communication and branding, it seems necessary and overdue. I hope AMA is able to make enough correct assumptions to get ahead of the curve and remain the organization of thought leadership it has always been.

Laumeier Art Fair 2016

Mother’s Day Weekend May 6-8, 2016 is the latest installation of the annual event that is an exhibition and sale featuring artists selected from a pool of more than 400 applications. Cash and prizes are awarded – but all are winners. This is work. The passion of pursuing a commercial viability that allows the general public access the product – be it painting, prints, photography, ceramics or mixed media. Artist are judged and are mostly used to judgements of others. Here, they must make the first cut to show and are among the 150 deemed by a jury. (This year Juan William Chavez of the Northside Workshop, Dr. Jeffrey Hughes of Webster University and independent Curator Gretchen Wagner). Laumeier Executive Director and Luminary James McAnally lead the charge in selection of Artist’s Awards and the City of Sunset Hills bestows a special recognition as well.

Beer and Wine, member appreciation, and a long list of event sponsors and partners make this happening happen. It is Devine intervention that delivers the weather that is most comfortable for exhibitors and visitors this year. Of course, concessions, creation station and main stage shows provide even more to the sensory overload. Development officer Michelle Siegel is perhaps most emphatic in leveraging this high profile event to shore up member support and plant some seeds she hopes will grow into greater sponsorship levels for the non-profit organization that is a jewel in crown for the arts in our region. Laumeier Sculpture Park is about to celebrate four decades and is doing so well positioned for delivering programming, classes and global showcases of art and artists from 4-6 year old campers to art fair artists to the critically acclaimed.

Visit www.laumeier,org...better yet visit Laumeier Sculpture Park at 12580 Rott Road.       

A Visit with the Kranzbergs

What a thrill to be among a tight knit group of docents and friends of Laumeier Sculpture Park at the home of Ken and Nancy Kranzberg on a beautiful Spring day (April 28, 2016).

In the living room, Ken suggests his wife Nancy start the docent tour of their home in front of a giant photographic portrait of the Kranzbergs by Tina Barney. The tandem described the photo shoot and interaction with the artist. Photographer Tina Barney was born in 1945 in New York and she has been producing large-scale photographs of family, friends and famous since 1975. She has a way of making meticulous chronicles of the complexity of interpersonal relationships. This piece is no exception. Ken suggests, with a smile, that historians will one day assume that he is emblematic of the man of the house with a demure and dutiful wife in the background. It is a self effacing and respectful nod to his wife. The photograph is a wonderful celebration of our hosts in the front hallway of their home. We know Nancy is more likely to front the duo but they are both emphatic champions for artists everywhere. Nancy is especially fond of St. Louis - a place she says is the most culturally rich place in the whole country (per capita).

It is clear every piece of art in the Kranzberg personal collection has a story. We were treated to a wonderful tour that included first piece they ever bought together. They recall fondly how a price tag of $90 seemed excessive at the time. They have since become much more comfortable in their purchases. It is the love of art and artists that drives them more than the investment however.

Every room is a treat of museum quality works of art. The dining room includes a falling man by Ernest Trova, a limited edition serigraph by Andy Warhol and works by self taught St. Louis native Craig Norton, an emerging artist the art critic Roberta Smith of the New York Times described as having an almost freakishly developed skill set. Her recent review summed up with the statement  - It’s hard to know exactly where Mr. Norton will end up, but he is definitely on the way to somewhere. Therein may be a clue as to what motivates patrons of the arts.  

The Kransbergs invited David Kirkland to treat our group to a culinary masterpiece. Over lunch the side bar conversation consisted of a collage of topics – some art, some family, some food and (of course) insights into what it means to support the arts. If artists inspire, the Kranzbergs are inspired and their energy and enthusiasm is highly contagious. We all left that day with a mega dose.  

Recently Ken and Nancy Kranzberg were honored for Excellence in Philanthropy at the St. Louis Arts Awards. Their generosity to more than 500 civic, social and arts organizations and their leadership has created things such as the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center, and through the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, the Northside Workshop. They are noted for not only donating to larger organizations, but a number of smaller organizations as well.

We are inspired and infinitely grateful. Thank you Ken and Nancy Kranzberg!

Fish out of Water

At the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference

Perhaps it is appropriate to situate this progressive gathering of digital savvy business leaders and individuals interested in staying ahead of the wave of disruption at an historic landmark, the St. Louis Union Station (built in 1894). History is being made. Just four years in the making, the University of Missouri, St. Louis College of Business has seized the leadership position in presenting this discussion at the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference 2016. And they mean business. Held on April 21, 2016 Experts in the marketing communications industry address the cutting edge of digital, social, tech and innovation.

It is an information overload, packed into six unique tracks and dozens of sessions and breakouts. Travis Sheridan, Director of Venture Café reminds us that with innovation comes disruption in his opening remarks but UMSL’s Professor Perry Drake has been feeding this frenzy since he launched this series of conferences in April 2013. The interest and attendance has grown steadily each year. This year’s event promises to propel the discussion further into the mainstream for not only those in their comfort zone but also for all of those fish out of water who can no longer be in denial. Change is here and it is profound. (The MDMC2016 graphics and TV commercial were developed by a crew lead by Evan Miguel, a graduate student at UMSL who was recognized this year with an ADDY award for excellence from the American Advertising Federation. Nice work.)

The truth is in the details and this is a place where you can to start (or continue) your discovery of impact of digital marketing from hundreds of vantage points. The formal presentations include using LinkedIn, Pinterest, 3D printing, digital/social media, media measurement, mobile, marketing automation, data mining and so on. But maybe the real information is woven into the fabric of learning from each other.

Congratulations to the organizers of this wonderful event from a boomer who wonders if anyone remembers Marketing Myopia by Theodore Levitt --- and understands why a 19th Century railroad station might be a perfect place to ponder the future of marketing.   

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

I attended a funeral Mass today for George S. Graff.  I was there in support his daughter Maureen Jennings (and because attendance at church is overdue for this former alter boy).

This celebration of a man’s life at the Church of the Annunziata in Ladue was remarkable. I will not do it justice, but I do want to share some thoughts.    

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they will be filled.

The homily, by Monsignor John Leykam, wove together the Beatitudes (Matthew 1-12) gospel with a favorite poem and the lifetime of George S. Graff. The Rudyard Kipling poem IF was juxtaposed artfully with the gospel and the man’s life.

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you….

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch….

Yours is the Earth and everything in it,

And – which is more - you’ll be a man, my son!

I consider myself something of a spiritual person, albeit something short of a devout practicing Catholic. This event touched me – not only for the brief moment in which I was able to whisper to Maureen “Daddy’s little girl” which I knew had to be the truth --- And it was verified in her smile in the aisle as she greeted me before the Mass. The love of the family filled that place of worship. George S. Graff was truly blessed and leaves a legacy for generations to come. The live cello rendition by Great Grandchild Lorenzo DeMichelle was a bonus. The sweet somber sounds of the string instrument filled the sacristy, the alter, and the pews.

The priest more than hinted that many of the details of this funeral service were prescribed by the deceased himself. Clearly, he was a man who could lead a company and yet keep a humbleness about him. In my view, funerals are for the living and an inspiration to carry out our own lives as best we can with the time we have. Thanks George.

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED.”

Graff, George S. fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Sunday, January 24, 2016. Beloved husband of the late Mary Rita Graff and Marjory Kassabaum Graff; dear father of Mary Ann (Robert) Gorlin, George S. (Rosalie) Graff, Jr., James R. (Laurie) Graff, Maureen (Rick) Jennings and the late Thomas G. (Mary Jo) Graff, Sr.; dear grandfather of 12, and great grandfather of 13; our dear step-father, uncle, cousin and friend to many. George was born on March 16, 1917 in New York City. While in college studying Aeronautical Engineering at The University of Detroit he met his wife Mary Rita Shaughnessy. They married and moved to St. Louis where he worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. For the next 40 years he developed military aircraft such as the XFD-1 Phantom, the F15 Eagle, and the F18-A Hornet and eventually served as president of McDonnell Aircraft Company from 1971 until his retirement in 1982. When he wasn't shooting for the stars, he could be found on the golf course shooting for par. Services: The Funeral Mass was held at the Church of the Annunziata on Saturday, January 30, 2016. En tombment was in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials to a charity of one's choice appreciated. www.kriegshausermortuary.com Published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Jan. 27 to Jan. 31, 2016