Herbert S. Orenstein

Herb celebrated his 92nd birthday on October 2, 2022 and sang the "Happy Birthday" song along with his family. On September 29, he attended the wedding of his granddaughter, Elizabeth. Herb's family believes that he kept himself alive so that he could attend the wedding and celebrate this joyous occasion with them. Having achieved his goal, he made the decision to let his failing body take its final rest.

Herb was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1930 to parents Edward and Fannie Orenstein. He attended Soldan High School and Washington University and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He worked in men's clothing retail in cities throughout the Northeastern U.S.

In 1967, Herb married Sue and her three children, Richard, Barbara, and Janet Essman. A caring and generous father, he raised the children as his own. He worked alongside Sue's father, Melvin Corn, operating the St. Regis Hotel in St. Louis. In 1974, Herb and Sue purchased a fine gifts store in Clayton, renaming it Herbert's Fine Gifts, which they operated for 22 years.

Herb was an avid fan of all sports, especially major league baseball and football. For many years, he and Sue held season tickets to the St. Louis Rams. He was a sports and games trivia expert and knew minute details about the rules, history, and players of pursuits from basketball to billiards, ping pong to pinochle. He played softball on a team called the “Alta Kakkers”, bowled with the JWV and weekly poker games with his buddies.

Herb and Sue enjoyed traveling together, experiencing varied local cuisines and cultures. Together they visited California, Texas, South Carolina, Alaska, and Australia. Their last vacation was in 2019 to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

In his final months of life, Herb was well-cared for by Sue, son Richard and daughter-in-law Vicki, whose nursing skills and caring demeanor were a blessing to Herb and his family. Herb spent a few weeks in rehabilitation care before returning to the Olivette home he shared with Sue for 55 years, where he took his final breath. Richard said, "All he wanted was to cross the finish line."

Herb was predeceased by his brothers and their wives, Lou and Frieda Orenstein and Julian and Pamela Orenstein. Herb is survived by his wife, Sue, son and daughter-in-law Richard and Vicki (Shaikewitz) Essman, daughters Barbara Essman and Janet Essman Franz and husband Paul, and adoring grandchildren Elizabeth Ogden and husband John-Christopher, Natalie Berich and husband Alex, Adam and Zac Franz, nephews and their wives Edward and Julie Orenstein, Michael and Anna Orenstein, and grand-nephews and nieces Nathan, David, Braham, Avi and Ellie Orenstein.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00am on Wednesday October 12 at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard. Interment follows at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in Chesterfield.

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