Leo A. Drey, 98; donated extensive tracts of Ozark forest for conservation
Published June 3, 2015
If there was ever a man who personified Theodore Roosevelt’s policy to “speak softly and carry a big stick,” it was Leo A. Drey. As Missouri’s largest private landowner, he was a fierce advocate for public parks expansion at all levels, and a pioneer among local environmentalists. Mr. Drey, whose soft-spoken demeanor and total lack of pretense was combined with a passion for open spaces, died Tuesday, May 26 at his University City home. He was 98 and had recently suffered a stroke.
Leo Albert Drey grew up in Clayton and was a graduate of John Burroughs School in 1934. He was a 1939 graduate of Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
In 1980, Antioch presented Mr. Drey with an honorary doctorate in humane letters at its 123rd commencement exercises. The citation, which accompanied the honorary degree, noted Mr. Drey’s “unity of principle and distinguished accomplishments as conservationist, civic leader, businessman, parent and alumnus whose legacy already lies in he preserved wild rivers, scenic areas and forests of Missouri.”
In presenting the award, then Antioch University President William M. Birenbaum compared Mr. Drey to Antioch’s founding president, noting, “Leo’s life is Horace Mann’s symmetry– successfully practical, magnificently idealistic, totally human.” He was also presented with a bound copy of Horace Mann’s inaugural address and an historic map of the Glen Helen nature preserve, a pristine 1,000-acre area adjacent to the campus. On that occasion, the self-effacing and modest Mr. Drey said, “It was easy to get lost in the Glen Helen nature preserve–and in life–and I am grateful that Antioch continued to offer advice and guidance.”
At the time of the Antioch University honor, Mr. Drey was owner and manager of the 150,000-acre Pioneer Forest in the Ozarks, making him the largest landowner in the state of Missouri. As a young man, he purchased thousands of acres of Missouri forest land, much of which had been ravaged by lumber companies and had fallen into a virtually worthless status. His plan was to quietly purchase such land and carefully re-plant trees to be harvested and sold. While this proved to be a lucrative enterprise, Mr. Drey from the very beginning was focused on devoting as much of his land, and other open spaces, to become recreational public parks for nature lovers and conservationists.
Throughout Mr. Drey’s work and advocacy for environmental issues and increasing public open spaces, he was accompanied and supported by his wife of 59 years, the former Kay Kranzberg. She continues to remain a powerful advocate for environmental concerns, including nuclear waste and strong support for the local chapter of the Sierra Club and other organizations.
Leo and Kay Drey pushed St. Louis County government in the early 1960s to place a bond issue on the ballot to substantially increase the acreage of public parks throughout the 500-square mile county. The first attempt to gain the 2/3 majority needed for approval failed by a small number of votes. The bond issue was submitted to the voters for a second time, and was passed. The proposal increased the number of public parks under St. Louis County several fold.
In 2004, Leo and Kay Drey donated 146,000 acres in Pioneer Forest to a charity that will continue Mr. Drey’s mission of sustainable forestry. The donation is valued at $180 million and was reportedly one of the largest philanthropic gifts in the nation in that year. The charity is named the L-A-D Foundation, for Leo A. Drey.
Mr. Drey served five years in the Army before and during World War II before returning to St. Louis as assistant to the treasurer of the old Wohl Shoe Co. He left that firm in 1950 to immerse himself in his goal of mixing conservation and the timber business. While the business end of his operation was successful, his major concern was always to protect and preserve as much land as possible for public enjoyment. In 1964, he played a key role in persuading Congress to set up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a national park along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. He personally contributed 35 miles of easements along the banks of the two rivers.
In 1969, Mr. Drey offered to lease to John Burroughs School, his alma mater, 44 acres of Ozark woodland in the Pioneer Forest for an annual fee of $1. Burroughs named the area Drey Land, which continues as a bucolic retreat for the school.
Mr. Drey was active in the old Columbian Club, a predominantly Jewish country club that hosted lively discussions about major current issues, including the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and of course, parks and the environment.
Mr. Drey donated his body to the Washington University School of Medicine. No services will be held.
In addition to his wife of 59 years, Kay Kranzberg Drey, survivors include; two daughters, Laura Drey of Durham, N.C. and Eleanor Drey of San Francisco; a son, Leonard Drey of St. Louis; and one grandson.
