Harry Lansing

Harry S. Lansing, of Webster Groves, Missouri died on January 20, 2019 at Bethesda Dilworth in St. Louis of metastatic bladder cancer. He was 80 years old.

Born in 1938 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Paul Bennett and Elizabeth Cather Lansing, he was the second of three sons that eventually made up the family. At the age of 4, the family moved to Webster Groves, St. Louis, Missouri where he attended Webster Groves High School. In high school, Harry excelled in basketball and at 6 foot 5 inches, played center for the varsity team.

Harry then attended Vanderbilt, Missouri, and finally Washington University in St. Louis, where he became a Sigma Chi and starred on their varsity basketball team, finally graduating in industrial engineering in 1962. He entered the U. S. Air Force for pilot training in 1963 but after six months was found to be too tall for the cockpit, his head being slightly higher than the top of the pilot seat which was designed to break through the cockpit during an emergency. Upon an honorable discharge, he traveled in his 1954 Ford convertible to San Francisco, California where he then lived for over 30 years.

In San Francisco, Harry entered the life insurance field becoming a salesman for John Hancock Life Insurance Company. In 1965, he was awarded the Sales Achievement Award as one of the best salesmen for the company that year. Harry loved San Francisco and eventually knew all the best restaurants and watering holes around town, Sausalito and Tiburon. Guests visiting San Francisco were treated with his good sense of humor to a lot of fun and good memories.

In the late 1990’s, Harry decided to move back to Webster Groves to help manage the care of his Mother who while living at her home had suffered a stroke some years before.

Harry was always an athlete and enjoyed running as a principle exercise which he did daily to keep in shape. Following the death of his Mother in 2006, Harry gradually became more reclusive and began to suffer health problems in the last five years of his life. Following two hip replacements from falls, he was diagnosed with cancer which, with chemotherapy, was brought to remission. However, cancer later returned.

Harry is survived by his two brothers, Paul B. Lansing II and James C. Lansing plus nephews Trent Lansing and Garrit Lansing. He was preceded in death by both parents, his uncles and aunts and his close cousin A.B. Lansing.

After cremation, he will be buried in the Lansing family plot in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

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15 Comments

  1. Shela Xoregos on February 1, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    Goodbye, dear Harry–thanks for your
    wicked humor and games of pool. Shela



  2. Jim Lansing on February 4, 2019 at 11:25 pm

    Growing up, you were my idol, Harry. You opened doors for me and in our youth modeled for me how to present myself. You got me my first job in San Francisco with Bank of America. When I was down or needed coaching, you gave me good, succinct advice that helped me. I appreciated your sense of humor and will miss your presence.



  3. Bobby Lansing on February 5, 2019 at 4:22 pm

    Remembering all the good times Cuz. The S. F. Trip and going over the Golden Gate in your GTO, playing basketball and you comforting me when I jammed a finger, and more all while under 8 y.o. Then seeing you and Cuz Jimmy more often at Dad’s and just chillin watching football or whatever, to pissing off Miss Vickie by grazing when she just finished up cleaning from the prior meal. Really going to miss you and am sorry we let life get in the way of keeping in touch more. Godspeed Cuz



  4. jim rowland on February 5, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    thanks, Harry for that epic tour of Silicone Valley (aka Broadway St in San Francisco)
    I still remember one flaming concoction at Enrico’s you had a real zest for life and will be sorely missed.

    Jim



  5. Jean Schenkewitz on February 6, 2019 at 7:19 am

    Harry, for years you were my kale-salad buddy at holidays. I remember being tickled the first time you came to Thanksgiving dinner at our place in St. Louis. You were part of my dad’s enigmatic family and I hung on every word of any shared family stories. Thank you for sharing them. Over the years our relationship changed from holiday-invites to regular weekly check-ins. You were my STL family member. I loved taking about food, family, sports, flowers, and sharing critter sightings with you. We will miss you Harry.



  6. Susan Lea on February 6, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    RIP Harry! We met running in San Francisco in 1978, something you took in stride. You saved my life on that route when a black fellow with gun and knives tried to take me out. We worked as a team on a lot of your insurance clients, and it was good for both of us. I got to meet Jim because of you, too. You had a lot of good stories. You knew a lot of fascinating people. You wanted to go home and help your mother because you were a good son. Blessings and Thanks!



  7. Paul B. Lansing on February 7, 2019 at 10:08 am

    Well Harry, it has been a long goodbye. Looking back it just doesn’t seem that long ago that you and I and cousin AB were growing up together. I remember when we would play ball in the side yard of that big old house in Columbia. We always liked to pester Aunt Jessie and Grandmother, but what I remember most was just that we had fun.
    More recently we maintained a nice telephone relationship. We both survived hip replacement surgeries. Then later, I was pleased to follow how well you were dealing with your cancer.
    Unfortunately it returned with a vengeance and when you realized the futility of further treatment, your typical Harry reaction was: “Bah Humbug”. Well, Bah Humbug indeed! We will miss you Bro. Have peace with God.



  8. Jim Cather on February 10, 2019 at 12:26 pm

    Harry you were your own man. You lived life to the fullest most of the time – though I am sure there were a few dark holes. You were always fun to be with and a great conversationalist (which helped you be such a good salesman). We will miss you.



  9. Walt Serth on February 11, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    Harry RIP! You’ll be missed and remembered. Great times we had double dating in your old Model A, back in high school. The many adventures at the ‘Hobby Horse’. I was happy to be able to assist you later in life. Walt



  10. Ward Dunham on February 15, 2019 at 9:13 am

    During the summer of 1997 I found myself teaching 14th century blackletter alphabets at an International Calligraphy Conference held that year at a university near St. Louis. When the conference ended I stayed over for a few extra days with my old friend, Harry Lansing. Harry had recently moved from his long-time home in North Beach (San Francisco) to St. Louis to care for his ailing, elderly mother. To anyone who knew Harry, it would come as no surprise that he was well known in any number of interesting saloons, watering holes and cafes about St. Louis. He led us on a monumental 3-day pub crawl through them all! A great and memorable time! Harry had quite rolled out the red carpet for me! Prior to his return to St. Louis, Harry had lived in our North Beach neighborhood for over 3 decades! There wasn’t a bartender or saloon keeper in North Beach who wasn’t all to familiar with Harry’s larger-than-life presence and persona. He always seemed to be everywhere always! 6 am at Vesuvio… 7am at Gino and Carlo’s where Charles McCabe would be at his favorite seat at the end of the bar writing his daily column for the San Francisco chronicle… Lunch at the “Washbag”… Happy Hour at Moose’s or Vanessi’s… a shot or two at Spec’s or Tosca… 3 am at Enrico’s in the company of Hunter Thompson and the Mitchell Brothers, Tony Gantner, the late-night cops, pimps, waiters, the drag queens from Finocchio’s Cabaret, and me. The next morning might find Harry swimming in the Bay with Linnea (my wife) at the Dolphin Club… When I think of Harry, these colorful descriptors come to mind: Bon Vivant, raconteur, rounder, boisterous joie de vivre, and “to the max!”. We will miss you, Harry.



  11. Bonnie Manning on February 16, 2019 at 3:43 pm

    RIP Dear Harry. I remember all our wonderful laughs and dancing together! I know you are entertaining the angels in heaven!



  12. lila Bocedi on February 19, 2019 at 6:18 pm

    I met Harry in San Francisco and we formed a forever bond. Lots of fun times (North Beach) here we come! So many laughs over the years. Harry was fiercely loyal and the best friend anyone could hope to have.
    I shall always remember you with love and tenderness.

    Thanks for the memories Harry.



  13. Barbara Lawnin on April 18, 2019 at 2:06 am

    What good times we had starting in high school, continuing to and through SFO and again when we both ended up back home. You mentored me on SFO living and I still remember so many places and experiences that gave us great times. Don’t thing my office could have a Friday Cocktail Hour without your attendance. You were my friend and confidant and I shall never forget you. Barb



  14. Barbara Lawnin on April 18, 2019 at 6:24 am

    Buns, I’m going to miss you. We shared so many laughs, drinks, people, places that my life would not be complete without our friendship. Thank you for every memory. Barb



  15. Syed Ali on October 8, 2021 at 11:13 am

    when I was released from the hospital Harry was the only one who came to Me to check up on Me while all others that Harry & I knew nearby didn’t say one word. This was a reverse experience for Me because I hardly knew Harry but not as an local contact and comparatively those I knew and had a normal contact with didn’t even wish Me that “GLAD TO SEE ME BACK”. Instead Harry did and said that he was glad that I was back from the hospital and see that My health was recovering / improving



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