Richard C. Hunt was baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the age of 92 surrounded by his loving wife and family. Beloved husband for seventy years of Joy D. (nee Corzine); devoted father of Cheryl (Jim) Berns, Mary Lou (Mark) Szpatoski, Peggy Hunt, and the late Christina Marie (Surviving Dan) Williams; proud grandfather of Alex Szpatoski, Michelle (Steve) Grelle, Melissa Berns, and Paige (John) Godar; loving great-grandfather of Jake Szpatoski, Mackenzie Grelle, Mack Szpatoski, Lilliana Grelle, Emersyn Godar, Elaina Godar, Brendan Crafton, and Bryce Crafton; brother of Barbara (the late Stephen Sr.) Gantner; son of the late Clarence and Barbara Hunt; dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many. Richard was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, to Clarence and Barbara Hunt on October 5, 1933. He attended McBride High School and then started working for Sverdrup as a driver. In 1952, he met Joy on the job site at Granite City Steel where she worked. Their first date was at Steak ‘n Shake which set the tone for years to come as they took their children and grandchildren there many, many times.
Rich proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War and after his discharge married the love of his life Joy in October 1955. Married for over 70 years, together they built a life centered on family, faith, love, and support for one another.
Rich achieved his associates degree in Structural Engineering while working at Sverdrup. His first assignment outside of St. Louis took the entire family (with 3 girls under the age of 4) to Colorado in 1961. After returning to St Louis, he himself traveled to many assignments in various states as moving the family was not feasible until the 3 eldest girls were grown. Rich and Joy decided to move to the Philadelphia area in 1982 so he could help redesign the Frankford L (elevated train). They moved again to eastern Virginia (metro DC) 4 years later where they lived until retiring back to St. Louis in 1994.
Throughout his 40+ year career, Rich performed many roles, but he specialized in bridges. The “steel man” assisted in the design and inspection of numerous structures around the country. Many inspections took place after natural disasters as he had no fear of heights. Rich loved sharing stories and told many of when he was high above a roadway in a bucket truck or dangling over the side of a bridge performing inspections. In 1989 he volunteered after Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, South Carolina, the damage was extensive as roads were unrecognizable and debris scattered everywhere, but he and his coworker did their job, so others knew what areas/bridges were safe to travel. Rich and Joy traveled all over the world with friends enjoying many European countries and took several cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Greek Islands, Bermuda and northeastern US and Canada. They drove thousands of miles across the US with family and friends visiting almost every state. They followed the Lewis & Clark trail with Marcia and Earl and took their teenage twin granddaughters to Montana for their nephew’s wedding at Glacier National Park. Rich’s strong faith provided great strength over the years as he served as an Usher at St. Casimir’s Church for decades and even helped design the new church in the 70’s. After relocating to Ballwin Mo in 1995, Rich served as an usher at St. Joseph Parish and volunteered in various roles for more than 20 years. Rich enjoyed working at the fish fries, making sure they had enough bread and drinks to serve. Rich’s laughter, loving and caring nature and generosity always shined through. His strong voice and whistle always captured your attention.
Rich loved the outdoors, a conservationist at heart and took pride in his lawn, landscaping and gardening. He loved fishing above all else and often talked about his trip to the northwest salmon fishing with his nephew. Rich’s love of fishing started long ago as a boy on his aunt and uncle's farm, but his favorite spot (his “Happy Place”) was at Bennett Springs State Park where he shared his passion with the entire family and so many wonderful friends. Rich and sometimes his friends taught his children and grandchildren how to fish and they are passing that tradition onto their families.
Rich loved hunting with cousins, golfing with his sons-in-law, family and friends, and was passionate about gardening, always sharing his tomatoes and other fruits of his labor with family, neighbors and friends. Rich was an avid Cardinals and Blues fan and always watched their games, from the stands or home. Rich enjoyed bowling on a team for many years in St Louis and played slow pitch softball well into his 50’s with 20+ year olds on his last team in Virginia. In more recent years Rich played lots of cards, especially poker, and enjoyed tabletop shuffleboard where he and his partner Jack won many games together.
In addition to being a devoted husband, Rich was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed cheering from the sidelines at various games and swimming meets and in retirement loved taking the entire family on annual vacation to Lake of the Ozarks, of course fishing, golfing, swimming and playing lots of cards together as a family. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved gatherings when they fed the ducks at park place, took a walk, and played games like pass the trash, shuffleboard, bingo or pool.
Rich will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him, but the memories he created, the laughter he shared, and the love he gave will remain with them always.
Services: Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Thursday, March 26, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and at Immaculate Conception of Dardenne Chapel, Friday, March 27, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception of Dardenne Chapel, 2083 Hanley Road, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368, Friday, March 27, 11:00 a.m. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Monday March 30, 11:30 a.m. Procession will depart from the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory to J.B. at 10:45 a.m. Monday March 30th. If desired, contributions may be made to the Missouri State Park Foundation, #8 Bennett Springs State Park (https://www.missouristateparksfoundation.org/donate #8) or a charity of your choice. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
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