Gerald (“Gerry”) Lee Stevenson, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 87 years old. A native of Salem, Illinois, he was born January 16, 1937, to Oneta and Russell Stevenson.
Gerry was a distinguished international businessman, esteemed industry leader, and philanthropist who also served his country in the US Army’s Corps of Engineers.
A proud graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T, formerly Missouri School of Mines), with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering, he received an honorary doctorate in 2003 and was recently named among the institution’s 2021 Alumni of Influence, recognized for ingenuity, tenacity and lasting contributions to their professions and society at large. Gerry pursued his passion for continuous learning through Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and graduate studies at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
In business he began his career with Shell Oil and IMC, later serving in top global leadership roles for Davy McKee Corp and Jacobs Engineering Group, expanding their sales and marketing footprint internationally.
Throughout his career, Gerry made giving back a priority, actively serving on executive boards for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the United Way of Central Florida, and the engineering advisory board for the University of South Florida Lakeland. At Missouri S&T, he is a former president of its Miner Alumni Association, a founding member of its Academy of Chemical Engineers, a trustee emeritus, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Computing as well as the prestigious Order of the Golden Shillelagh.
Most notably, he established the “Gerald L. and Eugenia Bradford Stevenson Endowed Scholarship” to underwrite high-potential out-of-state students to attend S&T and major in chemical or biochemical engineering “as an investment in the future of our country and the world beyond our borders”. These scholarships changed the lives for generations of students who went on to make significant contributions to the industry and Gerry’s legacy.
Gerry relished traveling abroad, playing golf, cheering on the Cardinals, and spending time with beloved friends and family. He leaves behind Eugenia Adele, to whom he was married for nearly 60 years; sister Anita Ann; daughters Lynne Anne and Laura Jean; and five grandchildren, Beecher, Vance, Caroline, Henry, and Holly.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Pastor Phil Martin officiating Burial will follow at the Summit Prairie Cemetery in Stevenson Township. There will be visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Summit Prairie Cemetery and will be received at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com
