Ivan Bernard Rich passed away on May 13, 2024 after a long battle with crippling arthritis. He was 83. Ivan was a native St. Louis resident.
After graduating from Normandy High School, he joined the US Air Force and worked in restricted communication centers within the Strategic Air Command. When he completed his service time, Ivan continued his education at the University of Missouri in Columbia earning a Bachelor of Journalism Degree.
He worked nearly eight years in the TV industry, meeting and planning itineraries for many well-known celebrities. His station promotions won top recognition from the Broadcasters Promotion Association (BPA). When the economy in the 1970s soured, Ivan turned to the direct mail advertising industry, handling both local and national accounts. He began as an outside sales representative for Val-Pak Direct Marketing Systems and was later named the company’s National Marketing Director. He later served as Operations & National Sales Manager and traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada. Before his retirement, Ivan worked nearly 4-1/2 years for a division of the Maritz Corporation in Fenton, MO. He sold incentive/recognition programs to client companies within a five state territory as an Inside Sales rep.
Ivan was an exceptional artist. He won awards for a few of the composite paintings he did while in college at Mizzou. Also, he loved doing pencil drawing/sketches, building model airplanes of vintage military aircraft and he displayed much of his work in his office.
He volunteered for a number of years at the USO at Lampert Airport. His first shift was in March 2013 and his last shift was in June, 2020, for a total of 345 hours. He became inactive as of December, 2022. Friends and family will remember his quick sense of humor.
He was the son of the late Estelle and John Rich of St. Louis. Ivan is survived by his twin daughters Mindy (Rich) Harris and Marla (Rich) Lamont in Tampa (from his first marriage to Gail Corn). His brother William G. Rich resides in Dallas. Ivan remarried to wife Doreen Chapa-Rich of St. Charles, MO. Ivan was especially proud of grandkids Ava Harris, Noah Harris and Mason Lamont, all in Tampa.
Graveside service Thursday, May 16, 9:30 am at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road in Chesterfield, MO. Memorial contributions preferred to the Arthritis Foundation. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.
BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
