Richard John OSTERHAUS

Richard John Osterhaus, 67, of Troy, MO passed away at St. Louis University Hospital surrounded by family on April 13, 2019. Rich was born on January 9, 1952 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada and was adopted by Mary Edna (Tonnis) and John “Jack” Richard Osterhaus of Cincinnati, OH when he was 3 months old. His sister Mary Carol (married to Jim Keyes) was also adopted from Quebec City, Quebec a couple years later. He was a mischievous class clown and his sense of humor was a staple of his personality. His mother Mary preceded him in death in 1977. In 1978, his father Jack remarried Mary (Horn). Rich adored Mary and her children Susan (married to Neil Lamb) of Panama City, FL, Jim Horn (married to Renie) of Cincinnati, OH, and Michael Muldoon, also of Cincinnati, OH who sadly passed away before Rich could meet him. Rich was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He served as a Firefighting Instructor at Chanute Air Force Base in Champaign, IL and met his lifelong friend Fred Macasata while stationed there. After his honorable discharge in 1978, he worked at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for 15 years as a Firefighter. It was a career he thoroughly enjoyed until the end. Rich was married to Maureen (Manne) for 19 years and had two beautiful daughters with her, Kimberly (Osterhaus) Grigorian of Coatesville, PA and Tammy (Osterhaus) (married to Rodney Reynolds) of Madison, AL. To them, he was not only their coaches for sports, but for life. His training as a Firefighter, EMT and Paramedic allowed him to not only fix their boo-boos but also their hearts. He was always at the ready to give advice, but never gave it unless asked. Some of his best words of wisdom were to “Always follow your heart” and “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth giving it 110%”. After Rich and Maureen divorced, he met the love of his life, Charlene (Benedict Massie) while they were both working at Barnes Jewish Hospital as Patient Care Techs. A friendship quickly grew and they married on January 20, 2001. He accepted and loved Charlene’s beautiful daughters’ Jennifer (Massie) (married to John Hyde) of Troy, MO and Melissa (Massie) (married to Tony Schneiderjohn) of Hazelwood, MO as his own. He always told everyone “I have 4 daughters, there’s none of that “step” stuff.” He always told Charlene that he loved her “Today, Tomorrow and Forever – sideways 8” as he’d draw the infinity sign with his finger and smile. Rich had 15 grandchildren: Helena Sample (married to Ryan Beal), Alexander and Matthew Grigorian; Austin and Zachary Reynolds; Gina, Bridgette, Caitlyn and Phillip Hyde, Ashley Hyde Brock; Nicholas Dudley; Wendy Bea; Samantha, Alexus and Erin Schneiderjohn and 7 great grandchildren. He was an animal lover, storm chasing weather fanatic, stained glass artist, creative cook, builder of ships in bottles, and child at heart. He was fascinated by this place called Earth and you could often find him watching nature documentaries, listening to Stephen Hawking or reading National Geographic. His inner child, L.G. (Little Guy) often came out to play and would say and do the funniest things! He never lost his sense of humor or passion for life and lived the way he wanted to. He always said he was going to “Go big or go home!” and he always did! Rich always used to joke and say he was a “Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Pulitzer Prize Winner, True Humanitarian and All Around Good Guy!” If you’re here, it means you probably agree. “Every party has a beginning, a middle and an end,” he would say. While this may be the end of the party for Rich, he’d want us to continue on without him, having fun and creating many more memories until we meet again. A service for Mr. Osterhaus will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 11:00 A.M at Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services. A graveside service will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125 at 1:00 P.M with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Patriot Guard in care of the funeral home.

Richard John OSTERHAUS

January 9, 1952 - April 13, 2019