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Richard Ward
1941 - 2025
Richard Ward Obituary
September 14, 1941 - October 8, 2025
Richard Compton Ward passed away on October 8th, 2025 at 84 years old. Born in Washington, D.C., he was predeceased by his parents Truman and Gladys (née Nutt) and three older siblings Truman, Charles, and Shirley. Influenced by his family roots in Mississippi, Richard loved bluegrass music and woodwork with projects ranging from bookshelves to screened porches at three of his homes. Richard earned an undergraduate degree in Architecture and a graduate degree in Urban Design and Planning from Virginia Tech University, followed by a Fellowship Graduate degree in Urban Design and an MBA from Washington University.
Richard and his wife of sixty-one years, Sally (née Sweet) lived in St. Louis since 1967 when Richard started his graduate studies. While still a graduate student, he co-founded Team Four, an urban design and consulting firm and later founded his own company, Development Strategies, in 1988. Over the course of his forty-plus-year career, Richard helped shape the development of the St. Louis region, including the University City Loop, Central West End, and Cortex Innovation District. Further, he advised the government and business leaders in many of the St. Louis City Comprehensive Plans. Richard also influenced urban revitalization across the country from Portland, Oregon to Phoenix, Detroit, and Hartford.
Richard was also an active volunteer and contributor to causes in St. Louis and beyond, including Great Circle, Washington University, Virginia Tech School of Architecture, Urban Land Institute, the Parkview neighborhood, Lake Lou Yeager (Illinois), Forest Park, and Missouri Botanical Garden. Richard was a loyal and loving husband to Sally and proud father of three graduates of University City High School. He served his family with relentless desire to be of help and led with optimism and practicality. He is survived by Sally, three sons David (Laura), Jonathan (Jin Ah), and Owen (Sohyoung), and six grandchildren Jackson, Malcolm, Jonah, Nia, Juniper, and Langston.
Please see https://obits.legacy.com/legacy/richard-ward for further information on services and preferred donations.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Ward
2 Entries
Bill Grogan
Yesterday
Richard was a pillar of the St. Louis development and urban planning community. His calm, reasoned demeanor and attention to detail and his willingness to share his intellectual gift with his fellow practitioners helped make him the leader that he was. He made this region a better place. God's speed my friend.
Michael Singer
October 23, 2025
Condolences to Sally, as Richards sharp mind, work ethic and compassion for children will be sorely missed. He was a kind man, and I enjoyed his company whenever possible.
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