Paul Poecker Obituary, Death – Paul William Poecker, 73, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, died peacefully at home in his sleep on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Paul was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 13, 1949, to the late Edward Paul and Elsie Lucille (Grossglauser) Poecker. He served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972 before becoming a police officer for the City of Overland, Missouri for 23 years and later working in corporate security. He traveled extensively after retiring, visiting over 130 countries before settling in his dream home in Hot Springs Village. Throughout his life, he maintained a firm faith in God, which he shared with those around him. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed travel, cooking, golfing, and entertaining friends and family. His wife, Vicki (Neunaber) Poecker, daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany Nicole and David Arthur St. Laurent, of Tampa, FL, their children, Madeline Rose and David Paul, brother, David Edward and sister-in-law, Connie Sue (Lebo) Poecker, of Olathe, KS, sister, Karen Sue (Poecker) Joslin, of Olathe, his father and mother-in-law, Bruce Irvin and
A memorial service for Paul will be held at a later date, attended by family and close friends. Donations can be made in his memory to Lutheran World Relief Paul was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 13, 1949. He grew up in Normandy, Missouri, in a home built by his father. He went to McKinley Elementary School, had a paper route, and was an Eagle Scout. He worked as a soda jerk and delivered prescription drugs for Godat drug store while attending Normandy High School. He joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. He served for four years, from 1968 to 1972, and was stationed in Thailand for one year. He retired as a Staff Sergeant. He worked at Curtis Manufacturing with his father while enrolled in the police academy.
Paul began his career as a police officer in Overland, Missouri, and the following weekend, on July 7, 1973, he married Vicki Neunaber at Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, and they embarked on their lifelong journey together. They lived in Cordova Apartments in Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO for a year and attended Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, where Paul served as an usher and played softball. Paul and Vicki were able to move into their own bungalow fixer-upper in Hanley Hills the following year. They lived there with their peekapoo, Ginger, for six years.
Paul fought tree roots to plant a vegetable garden, landscaped the yard, belonged to two bowling leagues, went tent camping, and worked the streams while trout fishing. Paul and Vicki moved to Timberwood Trails in Saint Charles in 1981. Tiffany Nicole was born the following year. The family joined Zion Lutheran Church in Harvester, where Paul held numerous positions, including member and president of the Zion Lutheran School Board of Education.
He was promoted to sergeant and established a new concept for the City of Overland by becoming the Director of a Community Policing satellite office, where he coordinated the DARE program, victim services, Safety Town, Neighborhood Watch, and several community events. He received numerous awards for his creativity. In 1995, he was named the Missouri Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year. He went on to coach golf at St. Louis University and Parkway South High School. He learned to cook and became well-known among family and friends as an excellent chef.