Mick, 84, passed away Monday April 24, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. He was born May 2, 1938, on the south side of St. Louis, to Emmett and Bernice Hahn (nee Schnorbus).
He married Barbara Ann Everett, from the north side of St. Louis, on May 8, 1965. Together they raised five children in a beautiful old house in Webster Groves. Barbara preceded him in death on February 27, 2016.
Surviving are children Ann (Patrick) Buechner, Kate (David Forgue) Hahn, Rachael (Peter) Krussel, Lucy Hahn, Matthew Hahn, and grandchildren, Emma Buechner, Ben Buechner, Thomas Forgue, Margaret Krussel, Gus Krussel, Mabel Krussel, and sister Susan F. Resnick. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister Phyllis M. Hahn.
Mick graduated from St. Anthony of Padua grade school in 1952, St. Mary’s High School in 1956, and the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (Rolla, MO) with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1964.
While at Rolla, Mick was a proud member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity where friendships were made that lasted over 65 years. His wife and children endured endless stories of fraternity brother adventures that became better and better over the years. He proudly served on the Guard of St. Patrick in 1960.
After graduation, Mick took a job with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving in the Engineering and Planning Divisions. During his career, he battled many floods and natural disasters, and for his service, he was awarded many medals and honors including: the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, Emergency Manager of the Year, Federal Emergency Manager of the Year, and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service. During the Great Midwest Flood of 1993, he was one of the most quoted people in America.
After 35 years, he retired and became an internationally recognized expert in flood damage reduction and emergency operations with trips to South Korea, Slovakia, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. In 2004, he was inducted into the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District Gallery of Distinguished Civilians, and in 2010, he became a member of the Missouri S & T Academy of Civil Engineers.
While his children were in school, Mick volunteered and spent many hours at Holy Redeemer, serving as athletic director, volleyball coach, softball coach, Men’s Club president, Parish Board member, and School Board member.
Mick and Barbara enjoyed many trips visiting their children, friends, and national parks across the United States. Mick was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and a devastated St. Louis Cardinals football fan. He will be greatly missed by his children and grandchildren. A cold coke, with lots of ice, Gus’ pretzels, and Ted Drewes won’t taste quite as good without him by our side.
Services: Memorial Visitation at Kutis, Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois on Sunday, April 30th, from 4-6 p.m. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (17 Joy Ave. 63119) on Monday, May 1st, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s High School, St. Louis, Mo. ArchSTL Online Giving > Donate > High Schools > St. Mary’s High School
I have known Emmett for over 50 years from the Corps and in retirement. A great friend and co-worker. He will be greatly missed.
He was a gentleman and a scholar. If I needed information or help he was always there. If I gave him a location he could tell me how serious a situation could be and if he thought an emergency request was really that or a bit of local political hyperbole. He liked to talk about his family, particularly his wife in glowing terms. The St. Louis District lost a leader when he retired.
I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. and Mrs. Hahn through their daughter, Kate, and her husband, David. Stayed at their lovely home in Webster Groves while attending a Cardinals baseball game on my only visit to St. Louis. A brief opportunity to hear some of those famous stories. Sending sincere condolences to the Hahn family in remembrance of a truly unique man.
Mick and Barbara were my first bosses as I babysat their children in the beautiful old house in Webster. Mick was kind and often funny. He was a great father. My condolences to Ann, Kate, Rachael, Lucy, and Matt.
My condolences to the entire Hahn family. With the Corps, I first joined the Illinois Flood Fight Team in 1982 and Emmett was the Area Engineer. He later told me that he could depend on me first thing in the morning no matter how late I was out at the bar the night before. With that in mind, he hired me into Emergency Management and was the greatest boss a person could have. And he was not only my boss, he was a true friend. He always talked about his wonderful wife Barbara, his kids and grandkids. I will miss him greatly.
I had the good fortune of working with Emmett at the Corps of Engineers beginning in 1969 and living across the street from him for the last 24 years. He was a great guy, a great leader and a good friend. My favorite story that Emmett told was how when he first met his future wife Barb, she was unexpectedly in a situation where she was at a big gathering of his family. He had just met her and didn’t really know her. He was astounded and greatly impressed because she made the rounds and talked to everyone as if they were old friends. My wife Donna and I miss Barb, and now we will miss Emmett.
I am so, so very sorry. Please know that I send warm hugs wishing you peace during this very sad time.
Vicki
On behalf of the HANNON family, I offer our sincere sympathy and our gratitude for knowing the Hahn family. Your mom and dad were gentle, kind people to every one. I know you kids to be just like your parents and I know you’ll keep spreading their goodness to others in this world.
I will only ever have fond memories of Mr. Hahn. Great volleyball coach and great man! Can’t think of our days at Holy Redeemer without thinking of the Hahns. Peace be with you.
I was privileged to have known Emmett on both a professional and personal level. We worked together in Operations and in many emergency situations. I also had the pleasure of being his volleyball teammate. It was my honor to assist his family in the preparations for his momentous retirement celebration. Extending my deepest and sincerest sympathy to your entire family.
I had the honor of knowing both Mick and Barb – two gentle kind spirits with the most wonderful sense of humor- together again. My condolences to your family for your loss.
Dear Ann and the whole Hahn family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I have fond memories of being around both your parents at your house on Plant, and also at all our activities at Cor Jesu. My parents really enjoyed your parents’ company—I think because our dads were both engineers, they had a lot in common, as did our moms in laughing together at the “engineer’s way” of doing things. But like my dad, your dad had a silly side. I remember years ago your wanting to get a vanity plate when they came out, and your idea was “Malarky” but spelled using your initials, and your dad said, good naturedly, “We’ve got enough of that in our house.” I particularly can empathize with you as we just lost our dad last month, also just days shy of his 85th birthday. Perhaps our parents are all watching us like they did when they came to see us in the plays, or when we gathered to have fun, or they are sharing their own stories just “in the other room,” out of our sight but in the same house. Sending love and prayers your way. Love, Johanna Schukai Schloss
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad and my husband, Gordon, worked closely together.
Elaine Davis
Never met any of Emmett and Barbara’s family, but yet I felt like I knew all of them, including grandkids as in our many hours together he told me of you. Met Emmett in about 1985 when I worked in Emergency Management at then LMVD, later MVD. During the big 1993 Midwest Flood we talked every day. I could quickly tell how Emmett’s day was going by his first words—what do you want!! After a few of them, I suggested to our commander that I go spend some time with Emmett, Jake and others so we at division wouldn’t have to bother the “worker bees” but yet knew what was going on. Spent several weeks there and Emmett was “the man.” Met some great St Louis District people. Then later Emmett and Barb spent many weeks in Vicksburg helping us out. What a man and what a friend.
For nearly 15 years, I had the honor and pleasure of working for Emmett as my supervisor in Planning Branch. What a wonderful, genuine person: a thoughtful leader, and always a straight shooter but with commentary and advice frequently sprinkled by a dry sense of humor. I feel I learned what marriage and fatherhood was going to be like before I experienced it due to Emmett’s light and humorous discussion of his family. I’m happy to have called him a friend after our work lives.
As a teenager, I lived down the street from Barb. Later we were both parishioners at Holy Redeemer church. That’s when we met Mick and reunited with Barb. What a wonderful pair they made. Great people, Wonderful friends. Always giving their all.
Mick will certainly be missed. Sincere Condolences to the family. The Drummonds
Deepest condolences to the Hahn family.