Eugene L. Vander Pluym

Loving husband of the late Janet (nee McCann). Cherished father of Barb (Jim) Flowers, Steve (Linda), Liz (Dick) Zempel, Bill (Jill), and Pete. Proud grandfather of Karen (David), Tom, Claire, Graham, Jack, Joe, Greg, Haley, Nick, Gretchen, Christian, and Andy. Dear great grandfather of Kendall, Hannah, and Jenna. Dear brother-in-law of Bette Houska. Loving uncle, great uncle, and best friend to many.

The family offers its profound gratitude to St. Anthony's/de Greeff Hospice, Senior Helpers, and the nursing staff at Tesson Heights Assisted Living for their compassion and loving care.

Dad was a man of great determination and humor. That's a rare combination.

Funeral from Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa at Watson on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 9:00 am to St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church for Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am. The interment will follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation: Sunday, February 25 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hoffmeister. Please share memories of Gene with the family at www.hoffmeistercolonial.com.

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In 1993, Gene celebrated his 50th class reunion at Resurrection of Our Lord Grade School. In preparation for the event, he listed his memories of those days, and wrote his autobiography of what he had been up to since graduation.

Remembering:

The bell.

Rushing home to listen to “Our Gal Sunday” at lunchtime – Mom always served something hot.

Sister Rose Wilma reading a chapter from “Black Beauty” on a Friday afternoon if the class was well behaved.

Sister Conradine faking a right hand only to follow with a left hook that always connected – impossible to counter.

Learning to be a server from Sister Elesea

Making the first footprints in a new snow to serve six o’clock Mass – retracing the same prints on the way home.

Sampling the Mass wine.

Dropping stick matches from the sacristy – igniting like fire bombs.

Clapping erasers to remove the chalk.

Making big white blotches in the trash area – special duty – AHEM.

Knowing how to super-thumb the one ball nickel machine in the bowling alley – winning games – cashing in.

Setting double alleys on league night – “Mopey” Quinn taught me how to pick up six pins at a time. Thanks, Bill.

The heady aroma of incense while serving Tuesday Night Devotions.

Getting beat up by Vinnie Kohler – then going to find Eugene Maxwell to beat him up – he went to Scruggs.

Consuming a large Vess soda between double-headers of Indian Ball. I was always picked last.

Having to get cleaned up to go to Saturday Confession – telling Father I kissed a girl – truly a MORTAL SIN.

Challenging Alice Harding to a foot race on the way home from school – she would always win.

Getting some last minute homework answers from Marian Kramper – good gal.

Learning how babies were made from Vinny Kohler – what a shock.

The Sisters referring to our coats as “wraps” to be put in the cloak room.

Raising your hand and calling “STER” when you thought you knew the answer.

From Resurrection School, I attended South Side Catholic High School. While the studies, some extracurricular activities and one sport kept me busy, I did find the time to scrutinize and offer financial assistance to some of the local establishments. These were; Railfence, McNerney’s, White Horse Inn, Spring Lake, Parkmoor, Al Smith’s, Steiney’s Inn, Blue Mineral, Cardinal, Black Forest, Spring Forest, and Tree Court. All of these places did well under my watchful eye but as time passed I had to direct my attentions to other endeavors. Unfortunately, not one of these are in business today. It’s just as well. Later on, I found out that all of these places served BEER. How disgusting!

I met a lovely person named Janet McCann. She went to Mary Magdalen Grade School and Notre Dame High School. Early on she decided that she was the best thing that could happen to me. Since there were no other females of that persuasion, we said we would and we did.

But first I went to work with my dad in the family business. I drove a truck and began my apprenticeship in the intricate art form of repairing radiators – and I repaired radiators. Someone in the Pentagon found out and asked the Air Force to avail themselves of my expertise. I was assigned to Scott Field and I repaired radiators. Then I was persuaded to go to an enchanted island called Okinawa and I repaired radiators. After I repaired every radiator in the South Pacific, I was given a pat on the back for good behavior, a little cash and told to go home.

At the airport, Janet looked good in her wedding dress. I was told to change in the car and what do you know - Vinny Kohler was right. Four years and three little darlings later, I really had to repair radiators. After two more, I had to get away from it all, so I decided to attend St. Louis University.

I enrolled in the Commerce and Finance School and earned an Associates Degree in Accounting. We moved the business three times and are now located in the South County area and I repair radiators. I’ve enjoyed good health and I’ve never really been sick. As Sister Rose Wilma would say, “Gene, you’ve been blessed.” If anyone needs a radiator repaired, I can do it.

Eugene L. Vander Pluym

A Tribute to Dad by Barb Flowers, read at his Funeral Mass.

I hadn’t been driving a week when I sideswiped a neighbor’s car. I came home and explained my accident while handing over the keys for what was certain to be the last time. Dad listened to my feeble excuses and, looking disappointed, told me this would be expensive and he would have to pay for it out of pocket. I was just sick.

Later that day, he handed the keys back and asked me to run to the store. I was amazed that he still had confidence in me, and I’m sure that was his message. It seemed his goal was to offer gentle discipline and lavish praise. If we had been good students, I’m sure he would have been proud of that, but under the circumstances, he decided that grades weren’t really all that important and found other talents to praise, regardless of how insignificant.

I have so many examples, but my favorite is from about 5 years ago. I had spent the night because they weren’t doing well. In the morning, I noticed the toilet tank in an upstairs bathroom was dripping onto the wood floor. I mopped up the little puddle and grabbed a bowl to collect the water. When I came downstairs, mom, dad, and the visiting nurse who had just arrived were in the foyer. After introducing myself to the new nurse, I mentioned the leaking toilet tank to dad so that he could fix it (aka call Robert). At that moment, dad pointed to a small water stain on the ceiling and explained that he hadn’t been able to figure out what was causing that and "Barbara, I don’t know what we would do without you", and "Barbara, of course you would be the one to figure this out", and after what seemed to be 5 minutes of adulation, I turned to the nurse and all I could say was “He’s very affirming.” I wish everyone had this combination of discipline and affirmation from their father. The world would be a much better place.

My dad planted a couple of trees when I was a kid and explained that they would be evidence on this earth that he had been here. Well, dad, those trees are the least of your legacy. We all know you were here by your kindness, humility, humor, and friendship. Your gentle discipline and lavish praise is an example to all of us of how to live a meaningful life and is evidence that you have been here.