Richard “Rick” Ivy graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1981. He was on the tennis and wrestling teams, served on the Student Council and was a member of the DECA organization. Mr. Ivy later obtained a B.A. degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University.

Mr. Ivy joined the U.S. Army after graduation, serving for over eleven years as a Military Police/K-9 Handler in the United States and Europe. After discharge, Mr. Ivy served for two years on the Augusta GA police department (1992-1994). Mr. Ivy loved to get out in the community and talk to children while giving them “baseball cards” with his contact information to gain their support. He convinced local businesses to fund the program for all other officers.

Pursuing his passion for helping recently discharged military veterans transition to civilian life, in 1992 he returned to St. Louis and joined the Department of Veterans Affairs. Over the next twenty-eight years, Mr. Ivy held many positions aiding veterans. He was Homeless Outreach Coordinator from 1999-2007 helping “silent veterans” obtain benefits to get them back into mainstream society. He then worked as a Patient Advocate until 2010, when he became a Program Analyst conducting site visits to ensure veterans receive their proper benefits. In 2013, he was promoted to Division Chief, supervising 130 employees within the Veteran Services department.

From 2014-2016, Mr. Ivy was Records Management Officer responsible for developing and implementing records management policies and procedures. In 2016, Mr. Ivy managed 175 employees in the Customer Services Division, a call center aiding veterans in all benefits related matters, increasing productivity by 50%. His final position, from 2017-2022, was providing daily guidance to first line supervisors and customer service representatives about policy and procedures. This involved multiple agencies ensuring consistent procedures were followed.

As an advocate to many and friend to thousands, Mr. Ivy’s mission was to help all that needed it. He spent many days and nights on his own time at the St. Patrick’s Center talking to unhoused veterans with the goal of getting them back on their feet. Marshall Fink was one such veteran. Shirlee Gentles, Marshall’s mother, wrote about Mr. Ivy in the forward of her book, “Are You Feeding Me Poison?” about the struggles her bi-polar son faced, “When every door closed on him, one man made such a difference, every returning veteran deserves to have Richard Ivy in their corner.” She added that Mr. Ivy was a real humanitarian and a credit to the Veterans Administration. To that end, Mr. Ivy earned many awards for his performance from the Veterans Administration. He went above and beyond his normal duties to aid our veterans.

Mr. Ivy passed away in November 2022 after a short illness. Florida Senator Rick Scott had a U.S. Flag flown over the United States Capital in his honor on December 19, 2022. The flag was presented to his wife, Tina Ivy, and is flown outside their Florida home.

Based on the recommendation from his sister, Vicky Lederman (RHS Class of 1981), the Alumni Association is proud to induct Richard Ivy into the Hall of Fame.