County of memorial: St. Louis County
Location of memorial: 41 Central Ave., St. Louis County Memorial Plaza, Clayton
Memorial Text: Time will be marked by the lives of those who, duty honorably fulfilled, truth tirelessly sought, courage shown undaunted, boldly leave this world a better place
"St. Louis County Executive "Buzz" Westfall dies at 59
"St. Louis County Executive George "Buzz" Westfall, 59, died Monday at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis of a staph infection, said Mac Scott, Westfall's spokesman Monday night.
"Mr. Westfall had been hospitalized since Oct. 5, when he checked in with severe back pain. Doctors discovered he had a staph infection. He had been in a drug-induced coma for several weeks.
"County Councilman Charles Dooley, a fellow Democrat, has been the acting county executive since Oct. 14.
"Mr. Westfall was elected county executive in 1990 and was re-elected three times, his spokesman said, most recently in November 2002. He had previously served three terms as the county's prosecuting attorney.
"In his position, Westfall served as administrator for just over 1 million residents in St. Louis County, or nearly one-fifth of Missouri's total population.
"Among Mr. Westfall's accomplishments while in office were the establishment of the Metro Education and Training Center, the St. Louis County Fair and Air Show and construction of the new St. Louis County jail.
""Buzz Westfall's death leaves a great void in the St. Louis region and throughout the state," said Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, in a statement. "He was a leader with insight, integrity and compassion and he was always a joy to be with. Most recently, I worked with him on the successful effort to prevent the closing of the Ford Hazelwood plant and his counsel and advice was always appreciated."
"U.S. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) said, "This is a true tragedy. Buzz was a wonderful man and a dedicated public servant. While we may have served on different sides of the aisle, I feel that I have lost a friend and that St. Louis County has lost a true leader."
"James Shrewsbury, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, said, "His decades of public service were a testament to Buzz's political savvy as well as his ability to forge lasting relationships that benefited citizens throughout the St. Louis area."
"U.S. Rep. and Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt (D-3rd District-Mo.), said Mr. Westfall changed the landscape of politics in Missouri and in St. Louis County. "Buzz Westfall's uncanny ability to bring people with different interests together achieved results that made a real difference in people's lives," Gephardt said, in a statement. "He was dedicated to St. Louis County and its residents and serving his constituents came first."
"Gephardt said the St. Louis Rams would not be in St. Louis today if not for the hard work and commitment of Mr. Westfall.
"Darlene Green, comptroller for the city of St. Louis, said Mr. Westfall put the people first. "St. Louis has lost a leader who understood that no matter if you lived in the city or county, we are all St. Louisans that must work together to succeed.," she said. "He will be sorely missed by all and the void he left behind will be difficult for anyone to fill."
"Mr. Westfall is survived by his wife, Laurie Westfall; two sons, Mark Westfall and Steven Westfall, and a daughter, Kristin Rea, all of St. Louis County; his mother; and three grandchildren.
"A public viewing is scheduled for Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the St. Louis Memorial Park, 41 South Central. A memorial ceremony for the public will follow from 10:30 to 10:45.
"Visitation for Westfall will be Thursday from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Ambruster-Donnelly Mortuary, 6633 Clayton Road. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Immacolata, 8900 Clayton Road, in Richmond Heights."
~ St. Louis Business Journal