Leo Bressler, December 22, 2023, passed away at the age of 101.
Beloved husband of the late Geraldine Bressler. Dear brother and brother-in-law of the late Harold (Esther) Bressler; the late Dorothy (Ted) Brody; and the late Bernard (Joy) Bressler. Dear Father and Father-in-law of Larry (Risa) Bressler, Linda (Menachem) Szus; and Kenny (Barb) Bressler. Dear Grandfather of Jamie and Joshua Bressler; Jonathan and Matthew Bressler; Eli (Josephine) Szus, Dana (Elie) Sutton, and Micky Szus. Great Grandfather of Sammy, Jane, and Linda Sutton.
Born in 1922, Leo Bressler’s legacy of 101 years spans far and wide. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he graduated from Washington University in Chemical Engineering in 1943. He then served in the Navy as a Lieutenant on an LST ship in World War II, ferrying men and equipment between France and England. He received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy in 1946 in appreciation of his service. He then soon went on to become one of the original seven employees, and later one of the Vice-Presidents, of Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co, which later merged to become Millipore-Sigma, today a multi-billion dollar worldwide company with over 60,000 employees. He was instrumental in the development of saccharin, various diagnostic reagents, and other biochemicals still used worldwide today. He retired from Sigma in 1998, after 52 years with the company. Most recently, he dedicated a Laboratory at Washington University in recognition of his past colleagues who made Sigma-Aldrich great. He also established the ”Leo and Geraldine Bressler Scholarship Fund” to benefit engineering students’ educations at Washington University.
He married Geraldine in 1948, and they had three children – Larry, Linda, and Kenny. He took up tennis at a young age, and was an avid tennis player his whole life all the way through his late eighties. He was regionally ranked, occasionally playing with the likes of Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors. His most frequented tennis venues were at Heman Park in University City, the St. Louis Armory, and Forest Park. He was an avid fan of classical music, and attended the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra regularly at Powell Hall for over 20 years with his son and son-in-law. He also regularly attended Shabbos services at Nusach Hari B’nai Zion, where he chanted Haftorah multiple times into his nineties.
The family gives special thanks to Leo Bressler’s long time caregiver Debry LaNear; to the VNA Hospice care team – especially Julie; to a multitude of other caregivers; and to the support and friendship of the Brentmoor staff and residents.
Mr. Bressler will be remembered for his deep love for his family, his kindness, his compassion for those in need, his unwavering work ethic, his service to his country, and his immeasurable generosity.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA (Visiting Nurses Association), to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, to Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Synagogue, or to the charity of your choice.
Graveside service Wednesday, December 27th, 11:00 AM at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA (Visiting Nurses Association), to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, to Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Synagogue, or to the charity of your choice. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.
BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
