Richard Ward

Richard Compton Ward passed away peacefully on October 8th, 2025, after a three-year battle with Alzheimer's. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1941, he was predeceased by his parents Truman and Gladys (née Nutt), who were part of the great migration from the South during the Depression era, and three older siblings Truman, Charles, and Shirley.

As the youngest of four and with additional mothering from his beloved cousin Mildred, Richard developed an independent spirit early on, which later drove his career and overall approach to life. From an early age and influenced by his family roots in Mississippi, Richard loved bluegrass music and woodwork. He designed and built projects ranging from simple boxes and bookshelves to screened porches and decks at three of his homes. Richard was an earnest and multidisciplinary student, remembered by his classmates as a visionary and progressive thinker, with an undergraduate degree in Architecture and a graduate degree in Urban Design and Planning from Virginia Tech University, followed by a Fellowship Graduate degree in Urban Design and an MBA from Washington University.

Richard and his wife of sixty-one years, Sally (née Sweet), met in Rome and lived in the Netherlands for two years before settling down in St. Louis in 1967. Paralleling his father, also a youngest sibling who moved across the country for opportunity, Richard, with Sally, launched his career and family far from his East Coast roots. Responding to the challenges of the urban decay of the 1960s and inspired by his post-war revitalization planning experience in the Netherlands, Richard co-founded Team Four, an urban design and consulting firm, with his classmates while still in graduate school in 1968 and later founded his own company, Development Strategies, in 1988. Over the course of his forty-plus-year career, Richard helped shape the development of the St. Louis region, including, but not limited to, the University City Loop, Central West End, and Cortex Innovation District. Further, he advised the government and business leaders in many of the St. Louis City Comprehensive Plans. Richard also influenced urban revitalization across the country from Portland, Oregon to Phoenix, Detroit, and Hartford.

Beyond his urban development accomplishments, Richard illustrated good citizenship through his leadership in and service to his communities near and far. A long-time resident of University City and proud father of three graduates of University City High School, Richard was a dedicated and extensive donor and volunteer for Great Circle (formerly Boys and Girls Town of Missouri), Virginia Tech School of Architecture, Washington University, Urban Land Institute, the Parkview neighborhood, Lake Lou Yeager (Illinois), Forest Park, and Missouri Botanical Garden. Even when he was subject to the tremendous pressure and precarious ups and downs of starting his own business and young family, Richard chose to give his time, talent, and resources to initiatives and institutions that strive to serve humanity, preserve nature, and promote education. He continued such commitment and dedication for decades until his passing.

Richard was a loyal and loving husband to Sally and the most enthusiastic and supportive father, father-in-law, and grandfather to his children and grandchildren. He served his family with relentless desire to be of help and led with optimism and practicality. He is survived by his wife Sally, three sons David (Laura), Jonathan (Jin Ah), and Owen (Sohyoung), and six grandchildren Jackson, Malcolm, Jonah, Nia, Juniper, and Langston.

Richard will be laid to rest alongside his parents and siblings at the National Funeral Home in Falls Church, Virginia on November 29th. His family will host a Celebration of Life in St. Louis in early 2026. The family would appreciate any donations directed to the Washington University Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center.