Irvin H. Rufkahr

Irvin H. Rufkahr, age 91, life-long resident of St. Charles, MO, died August 17, 2019, at Evelyn’s House Hospice in Creve Coeur, MO, after a short battle with tongue cancer. He was born February 13, 1928 to Joseph Herman Rufkahr and Marie Elizabeth (Knobbe) Rufkahr in St. Charles, MO. He was the youngest of seven children. His parents, four brothers, and three sisters have all predeceased him. His youngest son, David Rufkahr, also predeceased him in December 2017.

He married the love of his life, Belle L. Auten in St. Peter’s church rectory in St. Charles, MO, on May 26, 1951. She predeceased him on August 20, 2012. Their union produced five children, one girl and four boys. Those being, Paula (John Stephen) Collins of St. Charles, MO; Michael (Pamela Meyer) Rufkahr of Washington, MO; Richard (Carol Cullinan) Rufkahr, and Philip (Susan Redell) Rufkahr, both of Springfield, MO. There are eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and many friends to mourn his death.

Irvin worked at many jobs over the years, starting as a relief projectionist for all three movie theatres in St. Charles, lumber delivery driver, police officer, pattern maker for Artra Foundry, and finally, McDonnell-Douglas, now known as Boeing Aircraft. He rose through the ranks there ending up as VP of Wind Tunnel Testing. He was a part of the early Gemini and Apollo spacecrafts. He told many stories over the years of his time at “Mac” and the people he met and became friends with, including all of the early astronauts.

He and Belle loved to trout fish, which they did as often as possible. They traveled to several states to visit family and to see Old Faithful at Yellowstone. He also liked working with his hands, which he put to good use when he became Facility Manager at St. Peter Catholic Church for several years. The newest addition to the church building was a part of what he helped to bring to completion during his tenure there.

He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Irvin’s name to Evelyn’s House, or to Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Peter Catholic Church.