Edwin R. Stegner, age 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Cooper County, Mo., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, near the family farm where he was born and raised.
He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, after which he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Missouri University. He taught vocational agriculture to veterans before becoming the executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, a position that he held for over 40 years until his retirement in 1994.
Ed was the recipient of numerous awards and recognition, some of which included induction into the Missouri Parks and Recreation Hall of Fame, Life Membership to the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources Advisory Council, the prestigious Missourian Award by the American Heart Association, the Wildlife Society’s E. Sydney Stephens Award, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Steward Award, and the U.S. Forest Service Excellence in Conservation Leadership Award. Ed also served for over 15 years as a member of the Missouri State Parks Board. Conservation has lost a great champion and leader.
Ed Stegner is survived by two children, his daughter, Carrie Weiss, and husband John, of Pagosa Springs, and his son Jeff and wife Ruth, of Fair Grove, Mo., his grandchildren Jessica Stegner of Kansas City, Mo., Rebecca Stegner of Springfield, Mo., Emily Devine and husband Chris, Garrett Campbell and great-granddaughter Jadyn Devine, all of Durango, Colo. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Daniel and Kathleen Stegner, his brother Dan and sister Anna. He will be missed by family and many friends he has made throughout his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Attn: Development Office, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131, or the Conservation Foundation of Missouri for the Ed Stegner Natural Resources Scholarships, c/o Smith Moore, 223 Main, Boonville, MO 65276, or the Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
A private service will be held Nov. 4, 2013, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Billingsville, Mo.
