Buzz Westfall

George "Buzz" Westfall (March 19, 1944 – October 27, 2003) was an American lawyer and politician. He served in the elected offices of Prosecuting Attorney (1978–1990) and County Executive (1991–2003) of St. Louis County, Missouri. He died, while in office, of Staphylococcus aureus meningitis at the age of 59.

Westfall grew up in public housing in St. Louis. He attended St. Louis University High School and graduated from Saint Louis University with his BA and JD degrees. After completing law school, he took a position in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's office as an assistant prosecutor. In 1978, Westfall was elected as head Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County. Westfall was re-elected in 1982 and 1986 without opposition.

In 1990, Westfall was the Democratic nominee for the County Executive's position, and he defeated incumbent H.C. Milford in his bid for re-election. Westfall was re-elected County Executive in 1994, 1998, and 2002. In October 2003, less than a year into his new term of office, Westfall died after developing a meningitis staph infection. County councilman Charlie Dooley was appointed to fill the remainder of his term.^[1] Westfall was survived by his wife and three grown children.

Following Westfall's death, his friends and family established a charitable enterprise, the Buzz Westfall Memorial Fund, in his honor. The Memorial Fund, now known as the Buzz Westfall Charitable Foundation, is a non-profit enterprise established to further Westfall's legacy of bettering the community through charitable works. The Foundation raises funds via an annual golf tournament, among other various events.

Westfall Lane, a street in Jennings, Missouri, was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Westfall in early 2004. In 2006, the Buzz Westfall Plaza On The Boulevard opened for business, anchored by a new Schnucks supermarket and Target, on the site of the deteriorating Northland Shopping Center in Jennings.^[2] Other memorials include the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri,^[3] and the Buzz Westfall Memorial Highway, a portion of Highway 364 in St. Louis County.

Westfall served a total of 35 years in St. Louis County government, including 24 years in elected office. He left behind a legacy of public service and betterment of the community that he loved.

References

See also

• St. Louis University press release upon giving an award to Westfall - include biographical information
• Commentary by Gene McNary after Westfall's death