Photo courtesy of Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin
Ballwin, Missouri
May 31, 1925 – Jan 4, 2022 (Age 96)
On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, Richard Henry Hebenstreit, loving husband and father of four children, passed away peacefully at the age of 96, with his wife of 75 years at his side.
Rich was born on May 31, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, to Henry and Alma (Kappelgaard) Hebenstreit. He received his civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1946, and he worked for Sverdrup and Parcel for 42years. On February 22, 1947, he married Honor Frances Garstang. They raised two sons, Rick (Kathy) and David (Linda), and two daughters, Laura and Ann. He is survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Rich had a successful career in civil and structural engineering , managing many important projects, including the Bridge of the Americas over the Panama Canal and the Fort McHenry Tunnel under Baltimore Bay. His lifelong passion for construction started in his teenage years and continued with the building and renovation of his children’s homes with every annual visit. Family camping vacations to state and national parks all over the country ignited a passion for nature in his offspring and fed his own love of experiencing the great outdoors. He devoted years to becoming an expert bread baker, and his croissants were always the highlight of any family dinner.
Rich loved jazz, bird watching, fishing, photography and golden retrievers, but most of all he loved spending time at home with his family. His bird feeders were always full, and visitors were always welcome at his lavish table. He was magnanimous with his skills, his hospitality and his wit.
A memorial service will be held later when the family can gather and celebrate his life.
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You're a great engineer and manager, a good colleague and friend. I will miss you forever.
Chhin-Chhi Chang
May 16, 2022 | Woodbridge, CT | Coworker
Rich was a beloved associate and one very good engineer at Sverdrup & Parcel. Sverdrup & Parcel was like a family as the founder General Sverdrup love to say. Rich was a treasured member of that family. I am sad to say that so many of those associates are leaving our midst and those of us left behind are missing them. Rich and Honor were mainstays of the annual Christmas Party when they were not assigned somewhere else. He was always good for a laugh when he visited Accounting.
GREGORY HOWELL
May 15, 2022 | Waterloo, IL | Coworker
Grove of 100 Trees
Filsey Lyn Sandy Frits
January 28, 2022 | Chicago, IL
Group of 10 Trees
Neil and Nancee
January 17, 2022 | Shawnee, KS
He called me Bunkie....so sweet.
January 12, 2022
Richie was our first neighbor from our Warren circle drive. The first morning we slept in house Rich and Honor were at our door with freshly baked bread by him. It was the beginning of a wonderful long friendship.... many dinners, much dog walking, and many drinks, laughs and tears. God Bless you, dear friend.
Carol Dill
January 12, 2022 | Warren, NJ | Friend
Single Tree
BAMG
January 11, 2022 | Chesterfield, MO
Rich was a wonderful friend always there with a helping hand if needed.
My husbands birthday was a few days after his. So they always celebrated together.
I will miss him and his sweet smile.
My thoughts and prayers to Honor and his wonderful family.
Joan Voit
January 09, 2022 | Ellisville, MO | Friend
We are so very sorry to hear of Rich's passing. He was the first person to greet us when we moved into the neighborhood with a loaf of his delicious home made bread and he always had time for a smile and chat while walking Ralph the golden retriever. Rich was the kindest gentleman and our hearts go out to Honor and family.
Keith & Karen Cromack
January 09, 2022 | Neighbor
