DRYSDALE, Melvin Lawrence
Forever Together In Our Hearts
August 4, 1940 – September 11, 2023
Mel Drysdale was a Home Run Hitter. Early & Often. As a Catholic school boy playing for St.Agatha in the St Louis City Championship, Mel hit a Grand Slam to give his team the lead & then a 3-Run Homer for good measure. St Agatha won the Championship 7-2, but the newspaper headlines read: “DRYSDALE 7, Holy Rosary 2.”
A lifetime of Big Hits followed including, a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization respectfully refused in favor of a better offer from the Treasury Department of the Cardinals’ team owner Anheuser-Busch; volunteering to serve in the Air Force & mobilizing in the mountains of Colorado during the height of the Cold War & Cuban Missile Crisis nuclear threats; relentless & distinguished 7 days-a-week 40 year career with Anheuser-Busch; and simultaneous, successful entrepreneurial portfolio built to 100 real estate holdings.
But the biggest Home Run Mel ever hit was winning the Heart & Hand of Miss Budweiser 1961 — Ruthann Marie Wiese — who became Ruthann Marie Drysdale forever on September 14th, 1963. The only child of James & Anna Drysdale, Mel was immediately swept into the loving embrace of Ruthie’s extraordinary & extraordinarily large Wiese family, with Ruthie the 3rd of 13 children of Lawrence & Ida Wiese, that now branches to an extended family of more than 100 strong.
From Mel & Ruthie has grown a new, loving Drysdale family of 18, nurtured by the good soil of their commitment & sunshine of their Love: son Daniel and his wife Sandy and their children Matt, Nick, & Em; son Douglas and his wife Heidi and their son Jake; son David and his wife Pam and their children Kaylie & Colin; and daughter Melanie and her husband Ed and their children Liam & Alena.
Forever Grateful for the Gift of our time together, Mel & Ruthie shared a Life of passion & purpose that prioritized us & were truly, fully there for our biggest moments, smallest concerns, & all of Life in between.
Mel & Ruthie are Together again now & celebrated their Blessed 60th Wedding Anniversary this week on September 14th. Forever Together in HEAVEN. Forever Together in Our HEARTS. Forever GOLDEN.
Services: A Celebration of the Lives of Mel & Ruthie will be held at the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten with Mass at St. Agatha Catholic Church at a date to be announced. Your Love, Prayers, & Stories are invited.
KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY SERVICE.
Such a great memorial to Ruthie and Mel. They were a special couple who were a joy to be around. Mark and I have many funny, happy and unforgettable times spent together. Mel is where he has wanted to be since Ruthies passing. Together in each others arms. God bless all. Love and prayers Aunt Betty and Uncle Mark