Coming to Fruition
A legacy blooms with new scholarship funds to benefit students in central Missouri
Fred Schierloh’s legacy is rooted in the soil of his family’s farm in rural Missouri. As a boy, working the fields with a tractor alongside his father, he discovered his aptitude for mechanical systems. At the school in nearby Belle, he learned the importance of a good education.
His expertise in mechanical engineering blossomed, leading to a successful career at General Motors, COSA Xentaur Corporation and the National Center for Tooling and Precision Components. Understanding how education can transform lives, he helped develop the Technical Center at the University of Toledo Technical College.
Through his diligent work and wise investments, he was able to accumulate a modest fortune — but he knew that without his advanced education, his wealth would not be possible. He also acknowledged that the cost of such an education can be a barrier for many students. Before his death in 2016, he designated a sizable portion of his estate to benefit high school graduates and students pursuing technical training.
Now, 75 years after his birth on that small family farm, the first of many scholarships from the Schierloh family will be awarded. Through his estate, two endowed scholarship funds totaling $1.4 million were established with Meramec Regional Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. One will award scholarships to graduates of the Maries R-II School District in his hometown of Belle, about 30 miles north of Rolla; the other will benefit students entering the State Technical College of Missouri, located nearby in Linn.
“By Fred’s gift, it is evident that he had fond memories of his alma mater and growing up in Belle,” said Jan Sassmann, chair of the Maries County R-II Schools Foundation. This year, one graduate of Belle High School — where Fred received his diploma in 1962 — will receive a renewable $3,000 scholarship. The Schierloh Family Fund will award additional scholarships in coming years.
Shannon Grus, vice president of advancement at State Tech, said the Schierloh Family scholarship “will offer students the opportunity to earn a life-changing degree.” Ultimately, the Schierloh Family fund will provide three renewable $5,000 scholarships.
But, according to Grus, who also serves as president of Owensville Area Community Foundation, the scholarship is only part of Fred’s legacy. “We also hope that this generous gift will encourage others to see the value of a technical education and consider making a scholarship commitment to encourage even more students.”
