Rich Preis

Rich was born on September 14, 1932, and entered rest to be with his Lord and Savior on September 25, 2024.
He is survived by his Wife - Delores Preis (nee Hesse), Children - Rory (Peggy) Preis, Debra (Davy) Gillespie, Mark (Sue) Preis, Denny (Tricia) Preis, Karen Preis, Julie Preis, Dianne (Charlie) Offerman, Chris (Connie) Preis, Bonnie (Kenny) Huffman, and Richard Donald Preis II, 26 Grandchildren, 32 Great-Grandchildren, and Siblings - Ronald Preis, and Robert "Bobo" (Carol) Preis. He is a beloved Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Cousin, Brother-In-Law, Uncle, Great-Uncle and Friend.
Rich was preceded in death by his Parents - Robert Thomas Preis and Mother Selma Leonora (nee Rampani) Preis, Sister - Phyllis Berry, 1 Grandchild-Nathan Huffman, and 1 Great-Grandchild-Harper Pillman.
As a boy Rich loved spending his summers with his Italian Grandparents on the Piney River. He grew up in University City, moved to Pattonville, attended St Mary's High School where he later married his high school sweetheart, Delores. They recently celebrated their 73rd Anniversary.
Rich started painting with his father at the age of 15. Rich and his brother Ronnie took over their fathers painting business and had their first subdivision contract at the age of 28. Rich was inducted into the Painters District Council of St. Louis at the age of 22.
With a high school education, he had the naturally acquired knowledge of an architect. He designed all his own house plans. He built several beautiful homes, along with his son's help to accommodate his growing family. Rich Built his final home in Marthasville where he also remodeled old buildings.
Rich was a "self – made man". He was financially intelligent.
Rich loved to make pickles for eating pleasure and gifts for family and friends. He loved to eat – especially Pasta. He loved to keep up on real estate, going prices and home building designs and floor plans.
Rich painted and repainted everything in sight all the time. He and Delores took up painting pictures after his diagnosis of esophageal cancer. He loved to tinker.
Rich loved to tell stories, and it became a family joke – "they were always about him in the 4th grade". With as many grandkids overnight stays with them in the country was a joy. The grandkids enjoyed his sense of humor and his continuous stories of him in the 4th grade.
Rich enjoyed deer hunting with his boys, card playing, he loved to watch westerns especially, John Wayne.
He always kept a gentle protective special wing over his girls.
Rich created/built along with his son's sacred places on his beautiful land in Marthasville with building a stone cross on top of the large hill and a stone grotto with Mary.
Rich was a devout catholic and lived and loved his faith. Both he and Delores prayed the rosary daily for all their children and grandchildren.
His immeasurable love, gentle smile, warm and kind spirit, and funny wit will be dearly missed.
The family of Richard Preis would like to Thank All the wonderful doctors and nurses at the Mercy Cancer Center in Washington, MO, Mercy Family Medicine in Marthasville, MO, and the Mercy Hospice Team for their compassionate care.
A gathering will be held at the St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in the "Community Center"
19127 Mill Road, Marthasville, MO 63357
On Saturday October 12th, Family from 9:00am to 9:45am Public 9:45 to 10:30.
Memorial Mass following at 11a.m. in the Catholic Church
In Lieu of flowers, donations/expressions of sympathy may be given to:
ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Woodhaven, 1405 Hathman Pl, Columbia, MO 65201 (in the note put - In Memory of Nathan Huffman)
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church