Meet Eureka Alderman: Bob Berry

One of Bob Berry’s favorite childhood memories is picking pumpkins at his grandfather’s farm in Union, MO. The activity helped instill a deep appreciation for nature that still burns brightly for the long-term Eureka Ward 1 Alderman.

Berry still makes time to hike in the hills, parks and along the Meramec River. He counts his trips to the Great Smoky Mountains among his favorite vacations. And, of course, his favorite sports team, the Cardinals, plays on natural grass.

The environment also has been a factor in his career serving , ever since his wife and friends convinced him to run for an open seat on the city's Board of Aldermen 24 years ago. It was, he recalled, during “the fight to preserve Times Beach from being a permanent dioxin incinerator site for the federal government, and the eventual use of the abandoned town as the new .” The city of Eureka’s efforts in having Times Beach turned into a park rather than a waste disposal site, and its efforts on behalf of former Times Beach residents who still live in the area, are a historical fact Berry would like all local residents to remember.

Berry and his wife, Mary, have lived in the Elk Trails and Hilltop neighborhoods of Eureka for 34 years. During that time the couple has raised four children and welcomed three grandchildren. Berry, who has also served two terms as mayor, has been elected to city office eight consecutive times, beginning in 1987.

As a banker for Citimortgage, Berry has spent the last two years working with homeowners on mortgage loan modifications during the real estate meltdown. He teaches Public School Religion at , and is interested in history and the books of G.G. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis. It’s only natural that he puts his own civic career in a broader context.

“Eureka is such a great place to live, work and play,” he said. “I’m so proud to have been able to play a little part in our city’s history.”

Part of his legacy is the city's newest outdoor gem: Berry Park.