Chesterfield Seniors Among 22 Ageless Remarkable Saint Louisans

The St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System hosted its 15th annual Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan’s Gala on October 28th to celebrate the outstanding achievements of dynamic older adults age 75+. Held at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch, the event highlighted the contributions of 22 extraordinary seniors who provide a uniquely fresh perspective on what it means to grow older. These individuals have dedicated their “golden years” to bettering the region through continuing their careers, advocating for issues that are close to their heart and volunteering their time and talents to a range of important charitable initiatives.

Among the Ageless honorees in the 2017 class are Dr. Will Carpenter,85, and Hellen Carpenter, 81, and Bernice Thompson, 81, all of Chesterfield.

The Carpenters have achieved much throughout their 57 years as a married couple, changing the lives of others along the way. Will, a former Naval Reservist and Army Captain, is internationally renowned for his 25 years of work crafting a treaty to ban chemical weapons. His efforts led to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. He has served on the numerous boards in an advisory capacity, and volunteers at many local organizations. Hellen embarked on her second career when she wrote a biography about her grandfather, Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball. The book and her related presentations help promote teamwork, skills and determination to audiences young and old. Hellen volunteers at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame, into which Dr. Naismith was posthumously inducted, and also lends her time and talents to various educational institutions. As advocates for education, the couple has funded numerous college scholarships at a variety of universities.

Bernice Thompson was named one of the “100 Most Inspiring St. Louisans” in 2009 by the St. Louis American, and she continues to be an inspiration today. She has remained active in her golden years as a counselor for Agape Christian Counseling, helping individuals and families cope with their challenges and find peace. She also serves as convener of the Congregational Crisis Committee for the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy in St. Louis, which seeks to resolve conflicts and promote social justice. With a master’s degree in social work, Thompson has served thousands of people in crisis as a former director of a mental health agency, addiction counselor, church elder, and professional instructor, always demonstrating her love of God in her work and throughout her full life.

The complete list of extraordinary seniors who were recognized at this year’s gala includes:

• Rev. Dr. Jack Batten
• Sr. Judith Ann Bell, FSM
• Judy Bentley
• Don Carlson
• Dr. Will and Hellen Carpenter
• Louis D. Cohen
• Arthur H. Gale, M.D.
• Barbara Gehringer
• Raymond Hoffstetter
• Dr. Ira J. Kodner
• Joan and Norman Krumrey
• Ernest Theodore Kretschmar
• Judy Luepke
• Arthur J. McDonnell
• Henrietta Parram
• Judith L. Roberts
• Earl Robert Schultz, M.D.
• William “Bill” Siedhoff
• Robert Snyder
• Bernice Thompson

The 2017 class of Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans joins a group of 318 older adults who have been recognized over the past 15 years and personify St. Andrew’s vision of a society where all older adults are respected, productive, secure, and fulfilled.

“Every year we are amazed by our honorees’ vivacious spirits and determination to make a difference in the St. Louis region, and that held true this past weekend as we recognized our 15th class of honorees,” said Mary Alice Ryan, president and CEO of St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System. “These accomplished and inspiring seniors prove that the years beyond 75 have the potential to be some of the most meaningful and powerful years of our lifetime. We are honored to celebrate the honorees and their incredible stories.”

With St. Andrew’s currently serving more than 8,700 St. Louis seniors and caregivers annually, the Ageless Remarkable St. Louisans Gala is the primary fundraising event for St. Andrew’s and its Charitable Foundation. The organization works to enhance the lives of seniors through a wide range of programs and services and extends financial aid to residents who have exhausted their resources. From its inception through this year’s 15th annual celebration the gala has raised almost $4.4 million.

“As the needs of area seniors continue to grow, funds from the Ageless Gala play a critical role in our ability to serve those who are in most need of assistance,” noted Ryan. “We are so appreciative of the generosity of our wonderful sponsors and the countless others who join us in making this event so impactful.”

Back as Presenting Sponsors for 2017 were World Wide Technology and The Steward Family Foundation, which have proudly supported the gala for the past several years. Providing leadership as the chairs of this year’s event were Anna Harris and her daughter Theresa Galakatos, PhD., both serving on the St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation Board of Directors. Harris, a 2014 Ageless Honoree, and amateur photographer, also helped to bring the International Photography Hall of Fame to St. Louis. Galakatos, DNP, Ph.D., has worked in OBGYN and hospital case management for over 20 years. She currently teaches Health Care Policy and Evidence Based Practice as an Assistant Professor of Nursing for Maryville University; serves on several academic committees, leading initiatives for campus-student events, and chairs doctoral students who are researching diabetes care in rural communities, transitional care, and accountability of mental health patients.

St. Andrew’s initiated the Ageless Remarkable Saint Louisans concept in 2003 with the production of a one-of-a-kind photo book featuring the first year’s honorees. The program has received national acclaim, with its unique and creative approach recognized with the Innovation of the Year Award in 2004 by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the 2007 Distinguished Service Award by the Missouri Association of Homes for the Aging.

Created in 1961, as a non-profit partnership of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, St. Andrew’s is non-sectarian, faith-based and an expert at serving both older adults and their caregivers. For more information, visit www.standrews1.com.