Alphonso Howe Voorhees

Retired Judge, Division 13, 21st Judicial Circuit, St. Louis County, Missouri died peacefully at home on August 26, 2014. Born Nov. 1, 1925 in St. Louis, MO.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Sue Ittner Voorhees, his three children, Dr. Kenton I. Voorhees (Kelly), Janet I. Voorhees Rosecan (Arthur), Reed I. Voorhees (Tammie); his grandchildren, Megan Basak (David), Lauren Howe Voorhees, Jessica Garrett (Jonathan), Drue Voorhees, Michael Lugo, Emma Rosecan, 2nd Lt. Charles Crouse, U.S.A.F.; and a great grandchild Aubrey Basak.

Phon graduated from Washington University with a business degree and a law degree in 1952. He was in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Phon served in the Merchant Marines in World War II as the Communications Officer, in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He practiced law for 30 years, represented many railroads and corporations, and argued and won 2 cases before the United States Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Christopher Bond in 1982 as Judge of the St Louis County Circuit Court. He was Presiding Judge for 2 years and Juvenile Judge for 3 years. He was also President of the MO State Trial Judges, and was on numerous boards and committees.

After retirement he volunteered for 11 years as an Institutional Review Board (IRB) member for human research protection of Washington University School of Medicine. He was named an Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan in 2007, and received the Henry Sutton Government Affairs Award in 2014. He loved taking his family fishing, skiing, camping, canoeing, and enjoyed their many trips to Michigan. He was adored and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Phon was defined by living his entire life with integrity.

Memorial Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, September 12 at Ladue Chapel, 9450 Clayton Rd. Ladue, MO. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Gerber Chapel, Webster Groves, Missouri.