Raymond James Kirsch

Kirsch, Raymond James

passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024. Ray will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him so well.

He was the beloved husband of Brenda Kirsch (nee Steppacher) for 56 years; father to three children - Ray (Sheri), Maurine (Robert), and Mary (Jeff); and grandfather to four grandchildren - Gabriel, Emma, Leo and Rory. He was the son of Leo and Josephine Weber and the brother of Margie, Leo, Eleanor, Marian, and Lorraine.

Ray grew up on the south side of St. Louis. To hear him tell, he was always at the movies (outdoors!), making mischief with the Harvey boys or at the Haake's farm. He attended both Harris-Stowe and Washington University; becoming first a draftsman and then an engineer for Union Electric (beloved, UE). There he met the love of his life, Brenda. They married in 1960 and made a home near Tower Grove Park.

Ray was a family man; whatever was needed for Brenda and the kids came first. To make ends meet, he was a save-money-and-do-it-yourself expert - from car repair to tuckpointing. Ray never met a bakery he didn't like; Federhofers, Lubeley's, La Bonne Bouchee and Carver Brothers to name a few. A weekly cream cheese croissant was all that was necessary for life.

In mid-life, Ray fulfilled his dream of living in the mountains and moved with Brenda to Winter Park, Colorado. There, they made many good friends and enjoyed greatly the life of the mountains, including hiking, skiing, and traveling to Taos and Santa Fe. Ray worked for the Denver Water Board in the summers and drove the Winter Park ski bus in the winters ... one of the "townies" that made the town run.

With Brenda's death in 2016, Ray returned to St. Louis to be closer to family and childhood friends. He settled into the Kirkwood Bethesda Gardens community. He lost mobility over the years due to Parkinson's Disease, but he visited and traveled as he could. Even in his last days, he never lost his sense of humor and his wry courage was an example for all.

In accordance with his wishes, his body will be cremated, and he will return to the mountains with Brenda. Donations in his honor can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.