Richard Slocomb
Belleville | Save
Richard S. “Dick” Slocomb of Belleville, IL was born September 9, 1932 in East St. Louis and died on Saturday, December 13, 2025 peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
Richard graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 1950 and attained a degree in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University in 1954. He served three years of active duty in the United States Navy aboard the Destroyer Ingersoll attached to the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific. He was later an engineering officer of the Destroyer Escort Finch out of Seattle, Washington.
After discharge from the Navy, he went to work for Merrill Lynch, located in St Louis where he spent 52 years. He was made a partner of the firm prior to Merrill becoming a publicly owned company in 1965. He spent one year as a floor broker for Merrill at the New York Stock Exchange, executing orders from the firm’s worldwide system. He returned to St. Louis and managed the St. Louis Institutional trading department for 8 years before returning to the retail end of the business, managing investments for individuals and small corporations. He was elected Vice President of the firm in 1980.
Richard was a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belleville where he served as member of the vestry and was a lay reader and chalice bearer. He was a member of St. Clair Country Club in Belleville and Bear’s Paw Country Club in Naples, Florida where he and his wife spent their winters in retirement. He served as a member of the board of governors of both clubs.
Richard was elected to three terms to the board of education of Illinois School District 181 (Signal Hill) and served as a board member of the Bi-County YMCA and the West End Khoury League. He was a sports enthusiast all of his life. He was a season ticket holder of the baseball Cardinals, the football Cardinals and Rams and the hockey Blues. He played hard pitch softball well into his 40’s in the East St. Louis YMCA league and the St. Louis Muny League. For many years he was a little league baseball manager and junior ice hockey coach in the area.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Wife of 55 years: Barbara (Buser) Slocomb
- Parents: George and Beulah Mae, nee Hoppes, Slocomb
- Brothers: Bobby and Sonny Boy
- Sister: Alice Wright
Surviving are his four children:
- Mark (Kathleen) Slocomb of Belleville, IL
- Susan Slocomb (William Jones) of St. Louis, MO
- John (Patricia) Slocomb of Freeburg, IL
- Paul (Alicia) of Belleville, IL
- Four grandchildren
- Steffan (Heather) Slocomb of Belleville, IL
- Richard Hawk Slocomb of Belleville, IL
- Elizabeth Slocomb of Belleville, IL
- Joshua Slocomb all of Belleville, IL
Special Thanks: The family would like to thank Nicole for all her wonderful help as Richard’s care giver in his final months.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. George’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.
Service: A short service will be held at St George’s Episcopal Church in the Chapel on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11a.m., located at 105 East D Street, Belleville IL 62220 with Very Rev. Mark William Ohlemeier officiating.
Visitation: Visitation will be held at St Clair Country Club from 1-5:00 p.m. located at 100 South 78th Street , Belleville IL 62223.
Kurrus Funeral Home
