Bernard Donald Wagner, Sr., age 87 passed away on Sunday August 9, 2020. He was born on April 4, 1933, in St. Louis Missouri to Adolph and Lora Wagner. He married Rosemary V. Reifschneider in May of 1953 who preceded him in death. Since his youth he was a member of the Staggs social club and maintained these strong and deep friendships until his death. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While he did not like being drafted he was very proud to have been selected and to serve with a special unit in Italy, the Trieste TRUST Command.
He returned home from war and attended St. Louis University while working full time, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. On July 25, 1961, he was certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and subsequently formed his own practice. He was very accomplished and respected as a CPA in the St. Louis area and protected the rights of taxpayers. He was proud to have held the certification until his death.
In addition to being a CPA, he enjoyed writing and producing music, having a stable of horses and spending much of his leisure time at his second home at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was active with St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Jefferson Barracks Athletic Club where he coached hundreds of children including his own in baseball, softball, football and soccer. He assisted in forming one of the first girls’ soccer teams in the St. Louis area, fighting those that opposed the idea of girls playing soccer in the early 70’s. He was seen as a character by many, on many a bar stools, never boring, spoke his mind and as he said, “lived for today.” Throughout his life he supported St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and assisted in many fundraising activities. In 1968 he was awarded St. Jude Man of the Year. St. Jude Hospital remained close to his heart for the remainder of his life.
He is survived by his children, Bernard (Karen) Wagner, Jr., Diana (the late Jeffrey) Wagner-Hilliard, Angela (Stephen) Pohlman and Keith (Traci) Wagner as well as his many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Services: August 13, 2020, Kutis Funeral Home 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129, Visitation 9:30 to 10:30 am,; Funeral Mass 11:00 am Queen of All Saints, 6603 Christopher Road, St. Louis, MO 63129; Burial Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Jude Hospital, Bernard Wagner Memorial Fund.