Founder of First Hospice Programs in St. Louis Passes Away

Dr. John Shapleigh, known primarily as the father of hospice programs in St. Louis died from complications from a respiratory infection at Mari de Villa in Ballwin, family members reported.

Dr. Shapleigh grew up in St. Louis and was a graduate of Country Day School, Dartmouth College and Washington University Medical School before serving as a Navy doctor after World War II.

He practiced medicine in St. Louis for almost 50 years. He started the Hospice Foundation of Greater St. Louis in 2001 as an independent organization to educate the public and medical professionals about hospice care.

A resident of both Ladue and Clayton, he is survied by his wife Camilla "Kimmy" Shapleigh of Ladue; a son John C. Shapleigh of Clayton; three daughters, Louise D. Shapleigh of Ballwin, Katharine S. Kolowich of Concord, Mass., and Barbara S. Murphy of Westerly, R.I.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 110 North Warson Rd. in Ladue. The body was cremated. Internment will be private.