Raimund Stoehr

Raimnd Stoehr was born in Landau in der Pfalz, Germany without a middle name but wished if he had one, that middle name would be 'David'. So here, for Raimund we say goodbye with this small gesture of a middle name for his big personality.

Raimund David Stoehr earned his masters level training in decorative fine arts in Germany. He was recognized in at least three countries as a gifted and much sought-after artistic technical talent and skilled craftsman. Being cluelessly amazing was easy for him and he has left the world more beautiful and elegant with his artistry. A phenomenal fresco restoration artist, we can see his work today in the two golden gargoyles on top of the St. Louis Art Museum and in the elaborate finished work inside the Fox Theater.

Those lucky enough to know his humor, infectious zeal and joy may also know of his love. Raimund's devoted mother, Lieselotte Reed (Driess) and dear stepfather, Brian Reed, warmly cared for Raimund throughout his life. Brian is certainly near Raimund now in heaven.

Raimund David Stoehr brimmed with pride for his kids always sharing accounts of their many accomplishments. For more than 25 years Raimund spoke of his love for his 'Annie' often telling anyone who would listen, “This is my Annie; she's the love of my life!” Raimund passed away sweetly and peacefully in Annie's arms on February 2, 2025.

In the 1960's, with his brother (Thomas) and sister (Manuela), the family moved to Australia living in a house with a huge mango tree where ravenous bats as big as cats feasted at night on the fruit with loud sucking gusto. Much wonder ensued including a pass of Queen Elizabeth's motorcade by the house as Queen Elizabeth waved to the family. Always optimistic Raimund David Stoehr lived large, desiring both the simple and the best of everything. Like a benevolent noble, Raimund readily emptied his pockets in grandiose gestures of exuberant graciousness, happiest while giving his kingdom away.

Raimund made many places home discovering many ways to taste the world. His lifelong wanderlust found him gallivanting across continents and cultures. Visits to his beloved family in Alsace made him swoon with happiness for their flammekueche. He made delicious rum cocktails from his days in the North Sea in the German Navy and as a sailboat owner on Carlyle Lake at Boulder Marina. Living in Italy he made the best Insalata Di Mare in Puglia and everywhere he enjoyed Bavarian food.

Raimund outfitted his trusty BMW Motorcycle and journeyed to Africa to ride it across the Sahara Desert. While deep in the sand dunes Raimund befriended the Bedouin (of course) and was invited as an honored guest to a Bedouin wedding where he brought a live goat to the bride and groom as a gift.

Speaking of food, Raimund gladly spent his last few dollars on a tiny chunk of imported Parmigiano-Reggiano because quality mattered. Raimund once paced the floors all night in despair over a lousy schnitzel served in a restaurant. Restaurants should take pride in their schnitzel because,“making good schnitzel is not that difficult!” Raimund David Stoehr never got over a bad schnitzel.

Raimunds uncompromising love of delicious food would be no match for the diabetes that ran his blood sugar so high that when his full-blown diabetes was discovered, more than twelve doctors crowded into his hospital room to see how Raimund was alive with a 14% A1C blood sugar value. Regal as ever, Raimund enjoyed his hospital celebrity and happily answered questions proving that he was, in fact, a medical marvel.

In 1992 Raimund moved to the USA to meet his Biological Father, Roy Alva Haney and their shenanigans are legendary. When his dad became ill, Raimund was fortunate to spend the last four years of Roy's life caring for his dad 24/7 on his small farm in Southern Missouri.

To celebrate his big juicy life please consider playing some music in his honor. Raimund's eclectic taste ranged from classical opera to rowdy Bavarian beer songs, but feel free to play whatever music helps you to think of this fine man, his quirky unreliable anecdotes and of his laughter. Consider too, raising a stein of something appropriate to toast the life of Raimund David Stoehr who reminds us to take long, deep drinks of life. Here’s to Raimund—the unforgettable optimistic spirit who left us infinitely richer in stories and love.

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