Timothy Cerutti - Kriegshauser BROTHERS - Funeral, Memorial & Cremation Services

Timothy A. Cerutti

Sunday, June 28, 2020. Loving family man leaves behind his wonderful wife Barb Cerutti; 3 Children, Ben Cerutti (wife Lisa), Maggie Dunlop (husband Matt), and Michael Cerutti; and 2 grandchildren, Henry and Adelyn. Tim built a legacy as a lifelong teacher, camp leader and coach, he was a mentor to anyone who needed it and befriended everyone. Choose to be Happy.

Services: There will not be a service at this time. Please honor his legacy by donating to one of the following charities. American Cancer Society www.cancer.org, Lymphoma Research Fund www.lymphoma.org, National MS Society www.nationalmssociety.org.

There will not be a service at this time.

Condolences(31)

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Anonymous says
September 29, 2020 at 12:33 am

Really enjoyed being in his 6th grade class. Even before technology he worked to make things fun. He had a group of books that were always available but may have been above a 6th grader’s level like the hobbit animal farm and 1984 and others but always encouraged us to read for the fun of it. He also made us read a story called my father’s fault and after we harshly critiqued it and he let us know that he was the author of it. Great memories from Green Trails.
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Jane Krull Maddock says
July 8, 2020 at 8:22 pm

So sorry for your loss, prayers and love for Barb and his family. Tim was a great teacher at St. Boniface School and became a very close and dear friend. He will be missed very much.
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  Barbara Cerutti says
  August 24, 2020 at 5:54 pm
  
  Tim had such good stories about you and the fun at St. Boniface. Thank you for the uplifting message.
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Scott S. says
July 6, 2020 at 8:55 pm

I offer my prayers and condolences to the Cerutti family. Mr. Cerutti was my favorite schoolteacher. I waited all through elementary school to finally be in his class and so much enjoyed what he taught. I am grateful to have been one of his students.
Plus, he could hit a softball a mile during the sixth grade vs. teacher’s annual softball game.
Thank you, Mr. Cerutti, for everything that you gave to your students.
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Stacy Klohmann says
July 2, 2020 at 6:33 pm

Barb and family, my heart goes out to you all. Some of my favorite teaching memories are when I worked with Tim. Through the years, he supported and inspired me as a teacher and as a person in general. I will always choose happy when I think of him and because of him.
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Walter and Jo Ann Hermandorfer says
July 1, 2020 at 5:40 pm

When reading the condolence messages for Tim, it is evident how much he was loved and respected by all who knew him. What a wonderful legacy to leave! I worked with Tim at Mount Hope Elementary School, and saw first hand his love for teaching. Our daughter was lucky to have had him as her sixth grade teacher, and the life lessons she learned during that year were countless. Barb and family, you have our sincere and heartfelt sympathy. May Tim rest in peace.
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Diane Bristow says
July 1, 2020 at 4:18 pm

For one year, I had the pleasure of teaching with Tim at Green Trails. Tim inspired all who knew him! My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. Celebrate Tim’s life and share your wonderful memories with each other.
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Leslie (Grossman) Moynihan says
July 1, 2020 at 5:31 am

Mr. C was the best teacher and impacted so many lives. I think what made him stand out was 1. He Inspired us not just to read but to think…and creative thinking leads to fun and interesting conversations. 2. He demonstrated resilience every day. I remember learning that as a student, he didn’t love school. Thought of himself as talented only on the baseball field. But when disease took that dream away and brought him to teaching, he embraced it with a full heart, and figured out ways to be the teacher he never had as a kid. 3. He modeled kindness and made kindness cool to 12 year olds in an era before social/emotional learning was really a thing. I was triple lucky to have Mr. C as a 6th grade teacher, to return to 6th grade camp w him as a counselor in high school, and to work with him and get to know his amazing kids a bit at green trails summer camp. Man, will he be missed. Cerutti family- sending you all much love. Thank you for sharing Tim with so many of us.
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Jeffrey Stephenson says
July 1, 2020 at 4:08 am

Barb, I wanted you to know just how much Tim meant to me and my teaching. He was a mentor to me and a shining light in the early days of my teaching. He challenged me to be a better teacher when I taught next to him, and it was wonderful walking up and down the hill with him at Sixth Grade Camp watching him teach the “Trees” unit knowing that, as much as I might try, I would never be able to teach that unit half as well as the master. His good nature, positive attitude, and ease at building relationships with his students and colleagues are lessons that I still strive to put into place in my own classroom and teaching practice. He was an angel walking among us, and I cherish every memory of the times I got to spend with Tim. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
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  Anonymous says
  July 1, 2020 at 12:07 pm
  
  Thank you
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Jeff Behrle says
July 1, 2020 at 2:33 am

Barb and family:
Please know that we are truly sorry for your loss. So much of what we knew about Tim came from his time as a coach in the Webster Groves High School softball program. But once you got to know Tim, he wasn’t just a softball coach, he was your friend, a mentor, a storyteller, a role model, a humorist, an educator . . . and once you were a friend of Tim’s, you were a friend of Tim’s friends . . . and a friend of Tim’s family. This is one of my favorite texts that I received from Tim over the years: “Jeff, I talked with Grace about five minutes today. I walked off feeling good about life. You have a wonderful daughter!” Barb, please know that you and the entire Cerutti family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Clare, Grace and Jeff Behrle
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Lisa Flegel says
June 30, 2020 at 8:49 pm

Mr. Cerutti was one of the great teachers. We left his classroom at the end of year very different than when we walked in. He gently pushed us to grow and expand our minds particularly through books. He also read out loud from the Princess Bride. In hindsight, it felt magical, lest we forget the Tootsie Rolls for correct answers. I’m indebted to Mr. Cerutti; I’m a better person today for having been his student. Thank you for sharing this special man with us. My heartfelt condolences, and in his honor I’ll sign off with one of the passages he’d sign off with: “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
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Todd Waitz says
June 30, 2020 at 7:04 pm

Tim you will be missed, rest in peace. Our family (Todd, Sherry, Jaclyn and Alyssa) sends condolences to Barb and the rest of his extended family. I considered him such a great mentor, friend and coach for both my daughters not only in softball but life. He was always such a positive role model and had a true interest in each of his players. He was one of the true good guys that never finished last.
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Cara Mengwasser says
June 30, 2020 at 6:31 pm

I had the great luck of being in Mr. Cerutti’s first class in Parkway. I had no idea 40 years ago that year in 6th grade at Green Trails would have such a lasting impact on my life. I have never answered a question about how I am with the response of “fine.” Puce became my go-to answer for my favorite color. Learning to gather my thoughts before speaking and not use um, ah or other pauses is something I still strive to do, but I learned from Tim. He encouraged my love of books, reading, and writing, and inspired me to challenge myself. He gave me some sage advice several years ago about my youngest child and school and as usual, Tim was right. He was a kind and generous soul, with a wonderful sense of humor. You could tell he found his calling in teaching kids He is my favorite teacher, no one else comes close. Thank you Barb, Ben, Maggie, and Michael for sharing him with us. It was such a privilege being his student and knowing him.
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Martha Hessler says
June 30, 2020 at 6:18 pm

Barb, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
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Mary (Schweizer) Wolfram says
June 30, 2020 at 5:39 pm

Barb, I am so sorry for your loss! I remember meeting Tim at reunions, and always loved his smile. My prayers are with you and your family.
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Colin L Creel says
June 30, 2020 at 5:09 pm

Mr Cerutti was my first male teacher outside of PE. He gave me opportunities and taught me life lessons that have endured the test of time. He had high expectations which I needed and appreciated. The majority of the books I remember from childhood all occurred in his class, Animal Farm (where we had to study the Russian revolution prior to reading), Watership Down, Illusions, The Westing Game…just to name a few. He made literature fun and engaging. His jobs program taught discipline and responsibility. When I was in his 6th grade class (1985-1986) countless alumni would always stop by to say hello. He was one of those individuals that made you feel loved and appreciated exactly the way you were, but at the same time helped you see a vision for what you could achieve. We lost touch in my 20s, but I’ve always continued to send him a Christmas card each year. Lastly, I chose education as a career and he was certainly one of the factors in my decision-making process. He set the standard early on for what an impact a male teacher could make in a child’s life. He will be missed greatly by many, but his legacy will certainly live on in the countless lives he impacted.
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Janice (Flegel) Moskoff says
June 30, 2020 at 3:50 pm

I wish I only had the wisdom in 6th grade to appreciate how exceptional Mr. Cerutti and his teaching was. I suppose I knew it in a juvenile way at the time, understanding he humbled, stretched and exhilarated me beyond what I knew to be possible. The funny thing was, my experience wasn’t singular and I wasn’t special. He did this for everyone. I can only imagine how different the world would be if it could be filled with teachers just like him.
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kevin lessmann says
June 30, 2020 at 2:15 pm

Mr. Cerutti taught me that if you treat someone with love, and like a smart adult, then you’ll get a loving and smart adult in return. Even if that someone is a 12 year old student. Mr. Cerutti saw, and brought out, the greatness in everyone he met. I honor him by trying to do the same.
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Meredith Lester says
June 30, 2020 at 1:07 pm

Mr. Cerutti was such a wonderful 6th grade teacher. I remember how excited I was to be in his homeroom class! I have fond memories of him reading to us in class and I am glad I was able to attend at least one of the alumni get togethers years ago. Prayers to Mr. Cerutti’s family, he was a special man.
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william schmalz says
June 30, 2020 at 1:01 pm

The true measure of a man is not only what he does when he is here, but also what he leaves behind when he departs. There is a legion of teachers, students, coaches and student athletes who will carry your inspiration and memory forever. Tim Cerutti, job well done!
Rest in Peace dear friend, you deserve it. Bill Schmalz
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Liz Borges says
June 30, 2020 at 12:52 pm

So sorry for your loss. As with many, Mr. Cerutti was a pivotal teacher in my life and I have lots of fond and defining memories as a sixth grader at Green Trails. He will be missed!
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Michelle Weiss Gershon says
June 30, 2020 at 3:40 am

So many fond memories of 6th grade with Mr.Cerutti. Even into my early adult years, he made me feel special and important, something which few teachers or people in general could ever really do. He will be greatly missed, condolences to your family.
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Farrah (Green) Udell says
June 30, 2020 at 2:10 am

Mr. Cerutti was the best teacher I ever had. I still carry his teachings with me to remind myself that only boring people get bored and to practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty. He challenged me to be responsible for my own learning. I am so grateful for all he taught me and will remember him always.
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Julie Hantman says
June 30, 2020 at 2:02 am

My heart and prayers are with Tim’s entire family. As a student, he taught me to read, think, and dream. Some of my favorite books came from his class at Green Trails. Years later, I had the pleasure of catching up with him at his holiday alumni gatherings. I’m so very grateful for his dedication, time, and energy. I will never forget him!
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Lydia Cohen Harris says
June 30, 2020 at 12:35 am

How can I articulate what Mr. Cerutti means to me after so many years? He was the greatest teacher I ever had at Central Middle (2006-2007) and he changed so many of our lives. He helped me think more carefully and critically about the world. I will always remember his kindness and will be keeping you all in my thoughts. ❤️
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Carole Tafoya Evans says
June 30, 2020 at 12:22 am

I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know there are hundreds of former students saying “Mr Cerutti was the best teacher I’ve ever had”. He was my favorite as well. I remember that when asked “what do you teach?” he’d always answer, “ I teach children.” He was the most generous teacher. He always made time for the many of us middle school and high school students who’d head over to Green Trails on a Friday after school to visit Mr. Cerutti. His legacy is not only his family and friends, but the countless adults who look back on their memories of their favorite teacher with love and gratitude. May his memory be a blessing!
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  Cindy Braun Callahan says
  June 30, 2020 at 1:43 am
  
  So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
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Bob Trower says
June 30, 2020 at 12:07 am

Tim, was an outstanding man, mentor to many young and old. Always enjoyed talking and working with Tim from my days at JMAC!
RIP
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Anonymous says
June 29, 2020 at 11:37 pm

You left your mark on the lives of so many! Thank you for inspiring me to be a teacher!
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  Tom Souders says
  June 30, 2020 at 5:36 pm
  
  If someone were to ask me who the best teacher I ever had was, I wouldn’t have to think about it. Mr. Cerutti! He introduced us to wonderful books and how to think about them. Jonathan Livingston Seagull for instance. That blew my mind. Specific memories in his class are pretty fuzzy now…but I remember feeling inspired by Mr Cerutti. Probably the first teacher to really inspire me. Loved his whit, humor, and kindness. My condolences to his family and friends.