Leonard Carl Kirberg

1943 - 2019

Leonard Carl Kirberg obituary, 1943-2019, Ballwin, MO

Leonard Carl Kirberg

1943 - 2019

Leonard Kirberg Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 23, 2019.
Kirberg, Leonard Carl civil engineer, innovative industry leader, and past Chairman, CEO and President of Horner & Shifrin, Inc. from 1988 to 2004, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at the age of 76. Leading the fourth generation of company management, he was known for extensive revitalization and growth of the established firm, founded in 1933. After employment in 1966-67 with McDonnell Douglas Corporation, he served 38 years of his professional career at the firm. Leonard Carl Kirberg was born in St. Louis on March 18, 1943 to Karl and Lorraine Kirberg. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and attended Lindbergh High School. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1966, a Professional Development Degree in Engineering Management-1978 and an Honorary Professional Degree in Civil Engineering-1986 from the University of Missouri, Rolla. He was a Licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri and Illinois. He is remembered by his loving family, his clients, staff and professional colleagues alike as a steady hand at the helm, a resourceful team builder and an approachable, sympathetic leader. He made friends easily and tempered his relationships and decisions with calm analysis, practicality and a warm sense of humor. He counseled his staff and employees that the key to marketing professional services was to build relationships with them as fellow human beings, and the work assignments would follow. He was a good listener, unassuming in manner and trusting of his colleagues and staff. Many credited a large measure of his success to his encouragement and help for his people to reach their full potential. From an early age, he loved to build things with his father. By the peak of his career, he had expanded his creative achievements from model trains to Metrolink. Surviving him are his wife of 52 years, Mary C. Kirberg (nee Stolsek), his siblings Kent (Pat), Mary Ellen (Scott), Gary (Shari), Sue (Steve) and brothers-in-law Fred (Bev) and Frank, and many nieces and nephews. Despite his wide-ranging responsibilities, Mr. Kirberg found time to take an active role in a number of technical, business and professional development organizations. He was President of the Engineers' Club of St. Louis (1991-92) and served on the board of directors and as chairman of several committees. He was past president (1984-1985) of the St. Louis Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, an organization that recognized him with its Professional Recognition Award in 1988. He was past President (1981-1982) of the St. Louis Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, an organization that named him Young Engineer of the Year in 1976 and Engineer of the Year in 1992. He also was past President (199495) of the Consulting Engineers Council of Missouri, an organization that named him New Principal of the Year in 1987. He also contributed his talents to the American Public Works Association, the Water Environment Federation, the Society of American Military Engineers, and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers. For the 1996-97 term, he was elected President of the Academy of Civil Engineers at the University of Missouri-Rolla. In addition, he participated in many civic organizations, including St. Louis Ambassadors, St. Louis Counts and the Boy Scouts of America-St Louis, Circle Club, and the Downtown Rotary Club, serving also as President of Rotary's Skyway Farm. A proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, he was involved in numerous charitable expansion and fundraising projects. He was particularly proud of a committee he chaired. which succeeded in raising over two million dollars for renovation of Rolla's chapter's fraternity house and his selection as the fraternity's Man of the Year in 1965. As a final gift, Mr. Kirberg specified that his body be donated to Washington University, for the advancement of medical science. Mary Kirberg was asked what the most significant thing was that attracted her to Len. She said simply, It is his compassion, his ability to feel what another person is feeling. Perhaps it is this quality, coupled with some good common sense and a lot of hard work over many years, that propelled Len Kirberg to the top, not only in his profession, but in the opinion of those who know him. Mary concluded, He was my best friend and soul mate. Services: A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced. In lieu flowers, contributions may be made to The Backstoppers, Inc., P.O Box 795168, St. Louis MO 63179, Lambda Chi Alpha, 1705 Pine St., Rolla, MO 65401, or The Humane Society of St. Louis. A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home & Crematory.

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August 10, 2019

Loretta Boemler posted to the memorial.

July 20, 2019

Jason George posted to the memorial.

July 11, 2019

Elvira Gonzalez posted to the memorial.

Loretta Boemler

August 10, 2019

Mary, I was searching for another name and saw Lenny's name. I am so sorry. Lenny put much time and effort into the work he did for our water and sewer district in the Imperial/Kimmswick area. Lenny certainly had my husband's gratitude and respect. I expect that there are not many people still alive who remember those days. I do and I think you likely do, too. May God be with you and give you His Comfort.

Jason George

July 20, 2019

I was fortunate enough to know Len briefly as he led our Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha to build a new house. This was a many years long process that was greatly needed and would not have happened without his steadfast leadership.

Reading about him here, I realize he had an impact on many organizations throughout his life.

Thank you Len, for your lifetime commitment and passion for the welfare of Lambda Chi Alpha.

Elvira Gonzalez

July 11, 2019

May God be with you

Lori (Mestemacher) Heidbrink

July 9, 2019

Mary, I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. I was telling Mom how I loved growing up, seeing all your beachy Christmas cards. Every year, you both looked as fantastic as the year prior. And I remember you both coming to Mom and Dad's to swim, and you had your Harley Davidson decked out teddy bear that you drove around with, like he was your kid. Just knowing you both thru Mom and Dad, it was obvious the love you had for each other. I'm so sad for you. And I'll be keeping you in my prayers. Big hugs, Mary.

Bill Ott

July 7, 2019

Len had a very special part of my youthful life. When Rush Chairman of ADZ, he influenced me to pledge Lambda Chi Alpha at UMR and become a fraternity brother. I thank him for that and have very fond memories of those mid-1960s years.

Anthony Thompson

June 25, 2019

He was a good man and always treated me with respect at a time when it wasn't to his advantage to do so. Rest in peace my friend.

Paul Cross

June 24, 2019

Mary: It has been a blessing to be friends with you and Len. He was a very humble man for being such a strong leader and really cared about others. May the Lord comfort you with His peace in this time of grieving.

Paul and Martha

Sue Giddens

June 23, 2019

In honor of my dear brother, who brought so much light into the lives of others. May he rest in peace. Love you, brother!

Gene Rovak

June 21, 2019

Len was a dynamic person in every way. He was a leader, not just a manager; empathetic and understanding of all the people who worked with him. He led the engineering community through his service to many organizations and set the highest standards in his work ethic and personal ethics.
But for all his accomplishments he was a friendly, accepting person who made everyone around him feel comfortable and accepted.
Mary, may you find comfort in his memories; we'll all miss him.

Alan and Cindi Coffman

June 21, 2019

We are so sorry to hear of Lenny's passing. The few times we were all together in recent years we enjoyed our conversations with him. His sense of humor and kind spoken manner stand out. We will remember him when we gather to watch fireworks this year and know that he is somewhere better. God bless you,Mary. You are in our hearts...

Ken Schilling

June 20, 2019

What a great long time friend and fraternity brother with a loving and supportive wife. Len was always the calm persistent force that could convince you to do anything that he felt would be in the best interests of everyone. Ill miss him. Ken Schilling

Lauren Hendrix

June 20, 2019

Mary & family,
We are all thinking of you and sending all our love. We will remember all the laughs we had with Leonard each time we saw him!
Lauren Hendrix, April, Julie & the team at West County Spine & Joint (and Bria, too)

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Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin

14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63011

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Sign Leonard Kirberg's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 10, 2019

Loretta Boemler posted to the memorial.

July 20, 2019

Jason George posted to the memorial.

July 11, 2019

Elvira Gonzalez posted to the memorial.