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Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Bios

75th Anniversary Year

Camilla (Kimmy) Thompson Brauer ('58)
Recognized for exemplifying civic commitment, Kimmy Brauer has achieved the ultimate in voluntarism, serving on the boards of many cultural and charitable organizations and directing countless benefits for them. She has served on the board of Opera Theater of St. Louis, the Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis (who named her “Woman of the Year” in 1992) and as president of the St. Louis Art Museum Board. In her own eyes, however, her most important commitment will always be to her family.

Leo A. Drey (’28)
An exemplary environmentalist, Mr. Drey was recognized for the significant role he has played in preserving and protecting Missouri’s natural resources. Because of his love for the land and his dedication to preserving the earth, he has established the LAD Foundation and developed a system of conservative land management that will serve as a model for all those concerned about the planet.

Senator Thomas F. Eagleton (’42)
A national leader who rose through the ranks of government to serve 18 years in the United States Senate, Senator Eagleton’s leadership significantly impacted the nation.

During his Senate career, he was especially noted for his work in foreign relations, health care, education, the environment, and defense.

W. Ashley Gray, Jr. (’29)
A decorated war veteran, Mr. Gray became a noted leader in business and in the community, guiding General Steel to a position of prominence and heading monumentally successful fundraising campaigns for St. Louis charitable organizations.

Kevin D. Kline (’59)
An internationally popular stage and film actor who has received numerous accolades, including two Tony awards, an Oscar and the first honorary doctorate ever presented by The Julliard School, Mr. Kline was recently named Director of the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York.

Michael M. McCarthy (’51)
Business leader Michael McCarthy is a creator, a builder, a man of progressive vision. As President and Chairman of the Board, he has led his company, McCarthy, to rank as the largest healthcare builder in America.

William R. Orthwein, Jr. (’28)
While widely known for his astute leadership as president and chairman of McDonnell Douglas Automation Company, the service and philanthropy Mr. Orthwein directed to area cultural and charitable organizations has had an almost legendary impact on the St. Louis community. He has served on the Board of Directors for many organizations, including St. Luke’s Hospital, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Missouri Historical Society, the Saint Louis Zoo, the Saint Louis Science Center and the Missouri Botanical Garden, enabling them to become extraordinary institutions. He treasured his days at Rossman School, saying they were “more meaningful in my life than any other educational experience.”

Lawrence K. Roos (’30)
A politician, a businessman, a philanthropist, an educator and in the St. Louis region perhaps most widely known as a former St. Louis County Supervisor, Mr. Roos was recognized for his significance in creating and sustaining our community.

C. C. Johnson Spink (’29)
Given posthumously, this award was presented in recognition of Mr. Spink’s outstanding accomplishments as publisher of “America’s Baseball Bible,” The Sporting News, and his leadership in the many civic organizations he chose to favor.

80th Anniversary Year

Rosalie (’35) and Rumsey (’32) Ewing
This extraordinary couple was recognized for their outstanding contributions to children. Parents of four children of their own, an accident to one of them led the Ewings to see the desperate need for a facility in the St. Louis area to help mentally challenged children lead a nearly normal life. Rumsey joined the Board of the St. Louis Association for Retarded Children (now Citizens) and Rosalie headed their capital fund drive. Under their leadership $2.5 million was raised to create Rainbow Village, which has evolved into a campus including eight group homes for mentally challenged people, a residential learning center, day-care facilities and a center for community recreation.

Michael E. Pulitzer (’42)
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pulitzer Publishing Company and publisher of the Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), Michael Pulitzer began his career as a Boston lawyer. From there he went into journalism as a reporter on the Louisville Courier-Journal. In 1960 he moved to St. Louis to join the St. Louis Post Dispatch as a general assignment reporter. He rose through the ranks, serving as news editor, assistant managing editor, associate editor and then president and COO, ultimately serving as CEO and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Pulitzer has been a trustee of St. Louis University and a member of the board of Sportsmen’s Fund in Tucson, which operates a summer camp for underprivileged youngsters.

Oscar W. Rexford (’21)
Leadership defined Oscar Rexford and the impressive record of service and accomplishment for which he was honored. Oscar attended Rossman in its earliest days and remembered the impressive two-story building on Delmar with a horseshoe pitch as one of its main attractions. Mr. Rexford served with distinction in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war he returned home to St. Louis and served as general manager of the St. Louis Public Service Company, a mass transportation company. From there he went on to serve as President of Blue Cross Blue Shield for 15 years. Author of the award-winning "The History of the University Club of St. Louis," he also wrote about the exploits of his wife during World War II with the American Red Cross in "Battlestars and Doughnuts." A lifelong member and leader of Central Presbyterian Church, Mr. Rexford made service to his fellowman a hallmark of his life.

John (’27), Robert (’28) and Sydney Shoenberg, Jr. (’24)
The Shoenberg family was recognized for their many philanthropic endeavors, including the significant impact their support has made on The Missouri Botanical Garden, Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

 

85th Anniversary Year

The Buck Family
Carole Lintzenich Buck, Joseph Buck (’81) and Julie Buck Brooks (’84)
The Buck Family, comprising three dedicated Rossman alumni, was recognized for outstanding achievements in the broadcasting field, for extensive contributions to the local community and for their exemplary work as a family. Their philanthropic endeavors have benefited a host of organizations, including the Children’s Miracle Network, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Our Little Haven and the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Barbara Budke Cady (’41) and Philip B. Cady (’38)
“The only things you can truly give your children are a lot of love and a good education.” This is the Cadys' philosophy, and they have spent their lives making this concept a reality for their own family as well as others. Their commitment to education is impressive. Barbara and Philip were married in 1951 and had four children, on whom their lives were centered. They were extensively involved in each of their children’s educational experiences, further advancing their commitment to education. Today their involvement has spread to educational programs and schools for children far beyond the family boundaries. Their philanthropic efforts include independent schools (Rossman School, Churchill School, St. Louis Country Day, Mary Institute, Villa Duchesne, Rohan Woods School, Wilson School and Whitfield School), special schools for children, children’s hospitals, programs for students to study abroad and the United Negro College Fund.

Thomas R. Collins, Jr. (’31)
Start with some positive energy and an upbeat attitude and add kindness and optimism and you have just described a member of the Rossman School Class of 1931, Mr. Tom Collins. Tom began his education at Rossman School, then moved on to St. Louis Country Day School and from there to Amherst College. Tom ended his college career and immediately began serving his country in the United States Army in Word War II. He then moved into the sales field, ultimately owning National Van. Beyond his professional life, Tom gave of himself in service to numerous organizations — Rossman School, MICDS, the United Way, the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and Forest Park Children’s Center.

James H. Howe III (’35)
James H. Howe and Rossman School—two names that are quite synonymous. Not only did Jim Howe attend Rossman School, his children and grandchildren attended Rossman. He has been involved throughout each generation. Jim helped make the pivotal decision to move Rossman from the Delmar campus to the current location on Conway Road. He then helped raise the funds to construct the school building and served on the Board of Trustees for 11 years. His service did not end there as he has returned many times to help keep the school growing and improving. He also has served many community organizations such as the United Way Allocation Committee, Consolidated Neighborhood Services, Inc., Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association and President of the Missouri Historical Society.

 

90th Anniversary Year

Andrew Benecke (2000)
Andrew Benecke's academic record was impeccable. His achievements were even more remarkable when considering Benecke had fought osteosarcoma since he was a freshman in high school. Benecke learned of his diagnosis with the very rare form of bone cancer during his freshman year at MICDS in 2001. In seven years, he endured 15 surgeries and 54 cycles of chemotherapy. Benecke never allowed the disease to deter his academic progression. One of two valedictorians of the MICDS Class of 2006, Benecke earned recognition as a National Merit Scholar and a Presidential Scholar. Cancer treatments forced Benecke to miss the White House ceremony honoring Presidential Scholars. In June 2006, Benecke received a surprise phone call instructing him and his family to report to Lambert Field to meet the President. Beneath the wing of Air Force One, Benecke received his Presidential Scholar award from President George W. Bush. Benecke planned to attend MIT in the fall of 2006, but a recurrence of cancer forced him to remain close to home. He enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a double major in Systems Engineering and Economics.

Kenneth Brakebill ('81)

As a partner at a major California law firm, Kenneth Brakebill finds a way to give back.This Rossman School alumnus is a trial lawyer and law in the Litigation Department of Morrison & Foerster’s San Francisco office.In December 2006, Brakebill was honored by the California Bar Association as “California Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year.” He is also a recipient of the California Lawyer’s Angel Award for his ongoing commitment to pro bono work.The St. Louis native graduated from St. Louis Country Day School (now MICDS), and continued his education at Stanford, the University of California’s Hastings Law School, and Harvard Law School.At Stanford, Brakebill was an All-American swimmer and captain of the NCAA’s top-ranked swim team. He was also a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier and participant. Brakebill’s success has not come without struggle. He is battling Stage IV, Non-Hodgkin’s large B cell Lymphoma.

Arthur Lueking ('53)

For more than a quarter century, Arthur Lueking has been a prominent figure in the fine arts in St. Louis. Since 1981, Lueking has served as Director of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts at Webster University.  During that time, he has supervised numerous enhancements at the Center, including an orchestra pit renovation, a lobby and scene shop addition and a production addition. Holding a B.A. in Political Science from Washington University, Lueking earned his Master’s Degree in Technical Production, Design and Lighting from The School of Drama at Yale University in 1966. Not only does Lueking apply his knowledge as Director of the Loretto-Hilton Center, but he also serves as an adjunct faculty member with the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. Lueking remains loyal to his roots, as he has provided valuable service to Rossman School and MICDS. He served from 1989 until 1997 on the Rossman School Board of Trustees. He also served as Chairman of the Entertainment Committee for The VP Fair Foundation from 1987-89, and was Chairman of Fair Events for the St. Louis County Fair and Air Show in 1992.

Edwin B. Meissner ('29)

Edwin Meissner, Jr., has balanced a life of business and philanthropy. Meissner served as Chief Executive of the St. Louis Car Company and Executive Vice President of General Steel Industries. He was also a founding real estate broker with the Hilliker Corporation. His civic and philanthropic contributions are too numerous to list. A brief overview would include his 27 years as chairman of the City of Ladue Fire and Police Commission and his years of service as board chair for the Humane Society of Missouri. He is a trustee of the Bernoudy Foundation, and has served multiple terms on the Missouri Arts Council, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Executive Committee and as board member and past chair for the Central Institute for the Deaf.

Anita DeMarco Mothersbaugh ('75)
Anita Mothersbaugh might have had something to do with one of your favorite films. The Rossman School grad is now an agent in Hollywood, running Greenspan Artist Management. Her clients include composers, music editors, music supervisors and performers. Mothersbaugh is married to world-renowned artist and Emmy award-winning composer Mark Mothersbaugh, who might be best known as the lead singer and keyboard player for the band DEVO.
 
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