Richard D. Kerckhoff, Jr.
of St. Louis; adoring husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his devoted wife and loving children, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the age of 88, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Marion Muckerman Kerckhoff, in their 60th year of marriage; his sisters, Mary Ann Tenge and Angela Presnell; and his brother, Chris Kerckhoff (Peggy). Richard’s enduring influence of commitment to faith, family, and friends lives on through his six children: Carrie Polk (Bill), Kim Kellock (J.T.), Katherine Schroeder (Jeff), Richard D. Kerckhoff, III, Courtney Westenburg (Jason), and Claire Mademann (Curt). He was “Grampps” to fourteen grandchildren: Olivia (Bryson), Jack, Finn, Jimmy, Jake (Mary), Mary Kate, Elizabeth, Madelyn, Amelia, Charlotte, Kasper, Anders, Sierra, and Heidi; and two great-granddaughters, Felicity and Regina. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Katherine (Phelan) Kerckhoff, and his sisters, Marquita Auffenberg and Kathy Chlumsky.
Richard was a man of deep and abiding faith who lived his life with integrity and purpose. A lifelong St. Louisan, he was a graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory School and completed his education at Marquette University and St. Louis University. Richard carried forward the legacy of Pevely Dairy, which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1887. He began his career at Pevely in the ice cream plant, learning every corner of the business, and advanced to President and CEO in 1977. Richard guided one of the region’s most trusted family businesses through a period of growth and transformation, earning the respect of employees, industry colleagues, and the St. Louis business community.
He had a life-long love of music, photography, travel, technology, and all things mechanical – particularly cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed many years of floating the Ozark rivers with the loyal “Float Group.” Vacations were a highlight: from the mountains to the beach, from cruising the seas to meticulously packing the family car for extended road trips. Some of the family’s most cherished memories were made at the Lake.
Richard delighted in lively conversations among colleagues and kindred spirits, where topics flowed as freely as laughter. His children will forever value his wisdom, humility, and his diligence in living out his values through both word and action. In his final months, Richard’s core character shone brightly and perfectly reflected the man he had always been: resilient, witty, endlessly grateful, steadfast in faith, and eternally loving.
Richard will be dearly missed by all who knew him, though his extraordinary spirit is everlasting.
Services: Private burial in Pevely, MO. Memorial Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 2618 Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63144 on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Center or Missouri Right to Life.
Condolence(1)-
John M. Rolwing says
March 5, 2026 at 12:18 pmSitting here for half an hour trying to put a Life lived well into a cogent paragraph when it could easily be a “Coffee Table Book” to be read and admired for Posterity. The Obituary captured the essence of Richard,Jr. affectionately called “Son” by his father who was always “Poppy” husband to his mother “Mommy” His need to know how things worked, gave him an insatiable curiosity so endearing him to his many relatives, friends,and a Stereo system in his bedroom that only could be heard at maximum volume. His final choice for a wife after the elimination process turned out to be my cousin, Marion, and together they produced the exceptional family. His younger sister Kathy I dated seriously for years, and in the end Kathy married the right person, and I can say that I married the right person, and oddly enough, after long marriages both the perfect wives, have passed on. Travel was always in Richard’s plans to find out how things were set in the world, and he had to find out if they measured up to his standards or could use technical improvement. Saying goodbye to Richard as he was one of a kind, and his kind are a rare find in the greater scheme of things. The Company jingle sums it up…”White on the bottle, and pink on the cheeks, that’s Pinky Pevely”