Kenneth D. Breckner died Friday, April 15 2005, at the age of 89.

He was the dear husband of Frances Rogers Breckner and the late Jane McMillin Breckner; dear father of Marget Lippincott of Ft. Smith, Ark.; dear brother of Lorraine Breckner of Richfield, Minn.; dear grandfather of Michael Shewmaker of’ St. Paul, and David Shewmaker of Washington, D.C.; dear uncle of Debbie Breckner Jansen of Minneapolis, Sue Breckner Lahr of Kauai, Hawaii, and Sue Burdette of Ft. Worth, Texas; dear stepfather of Beth Rogers, Judy Rogers Trout and David Rogers; and dear brother-in-law of John Clarkson of St. Louis, Mo.. and Carol Coffin of Chevy Chase, Md.

Mr. Breckner was born in Minneapolis and graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul. He served in the U.S. Army 95th CID (Central Intelligence Military Police). He moved to St. Louis, Mo., in 1940 and attended law school at St. Louis University and since then he has made immeasurable contributions to the community. Mr. Breckner and his first wife, Jane McMillin, bought and refurbished Wilson Elementary School in 1957 and increased the enrollment from 75 to 215 students. They committed themselves to the Wilson School for 15 years without drawing a salary.

Mr. Breckner was also a claims adjuster for Fireman’s Fund Insurance for 49 years. He was the executive secretary of the St. Louis Committee on Foreign Relations for 26 years and arranged for many prominent international speakers to visit St. Louis. He was a guest of NATO in Brussels, Belgium.

After Ken conversed with the Malaysian ambassador at a convention of the Council of Foreign Relations, he was inspired to bring a Vietnamese family with four children to the U.S. (with help from his church). The family has thrived and has named a son born in the U.S. after Ken. Ken was recognized for this and was presented the 1998 Distinguished Citizen Citation from his alma mater. This citation is given to alumni who have exercised leadership in civic, social, religious and professional activities.

Ken was a dedicated member of Central Presbyterian Church. He was ordained an elder at the age of 23 years and served in that position for over 50 years. He also participated on many committees. He was stated clerk of the Mid-America Presbytery and was the pastoral committee’s first chairman, encouraging development of ministries to the needy. He was an active member of the University Club.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Central Presbyterian Church, 7700 Davis Dr. at Hanley Rd., Clayton, Mo. 63105, on Monday, May 2, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. Private interment at. Belfontaine Cemetery. Visitation is pending.

Memorials gratefully appreciated to Wilson School; 400 DeMun Ave., Clayton MO 63105; Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105; or Central Presbyterian Church.