Barrett L. Scallet, a researcher for four decades at Anheuser-Busch and a former Clayton city alderman, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at a hospital near his vacation home in Sanibel, Fla. after complications from hip replacement surgery. He was 93 and a longtime resident of Clayton.

Mr. Scalllet was also a top-ranked player in national and international senior tennis competitions, competing until a week before his death.

A native of St. Louis, Mr. Scallet attended high school in Los Angeles.

He came back to St. Louis, where he studied chemical engineering at Washington University. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from Washington University in 1946. While at Washington University, he met Norma Cohen, a native of Clayton, whom he married in 1943.

During a 42-year career at Anheuser-Busch, Mr. Scallet conducted and directed scientific research, culminating in his position as director of corn products research.

Mr. Scallet served on the Clayton Board of Alderman from 1956-1972, during a period of substantial growth for the County Seat of St. Louis County. During this period Clayton experienced major business and commercial expansion, and the board of alderman sought to preserve the strong tradition of zoning controls without curtailing commercial growth. It was during this time the city became known as a “centropolis.”

Mr. Scallet played a leading role in the transformation of Clayton’s government from a “strong mayor” structure to a city manager form. He was also instrumental in acquiring the historic Hanley House and Oak Knoll Park, and improvements at Shaw Park’s tennis courts, ice rink and swimming pool.

Clayton Mayor Linda Goldstein praised Mr. Scallett’s many contributions to the city.

“Barrett Scallett’s vision and dedication to Clayton helped us become the thriving city that we are today,” she said. “We will miss him, but his leadership will continue to be an inspiration to our community.”

After his retirement from A-B in 1979, Mr. Scallet continued his scientific interests as a volunteer monitoring radio waves from outer space for the Planetary Society and reading instruments for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He also was a generous supporter of the Washington University School of Engineering, endowing several scholarships.

Mr. Scallet attracted national attention as an nonagenarian tennis player, and recently was ranked No. in singles and doubles in the over-90 age group by the United States Tennis Association.

Visitation was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 10) in the May Chapel at Temple Israel, 1 Rabbi Alvan Dr. Rubin Drive in Creve Coeur. Funeral services begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road in Ladue.

Survivors include his wife, Norma Scallet of Clayton; two daughters, Patricia Scallet of Ladue and Leslie Lieberman of Washington; a brother, Edward Scallet of Clayton and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.