Bernard Alan Edison

Bernard Alan Edison, aged 90 and former president and CEO of Edison Brother Stores, Inc, died early Wednesday morning at home, surrounded by family. Mr. Edison - Bunny to his friends - built a thriving shoe business into what was, during the 1970s, the largest women’s shoe retailer in the US. He helped diversify the business into a specialty retailer, with stores such as Jeans West, J. Riggings, and 5-7-9. He will be missed by his adoring wife, Marilyn Sue (Wewers) Edison, and four children: Julie, Robin, Peter, and David, as well as his grandsons Jack Edison and Benjamin Haar.

A graduate of Harvard University in 1949, Bunny wrote what would have been his PhD in mathematics as an undergraduate, had he decided to take on the classwork. Instead, he turned his sights toward Harvard Business School, where he honed business acumen and brilliant mind for figures, a move that would see him join the list of Harvard Business School’s Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century.

In addition to his own accomplishments, Bunny served as a director on the boards of Mercantile Bancorporation, General American Life Insurance Company, Reinsurance Group of America, and Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

Bunny dedicated his life to St Louis, and is responsible for the “de-uglification” of the old Edison Brothers warehouse downtown. After research in Chicago and New York, Bunny commissioned artist Richard Haas to paint three sides of the building with a gorgeous Trompe-l'œil painting - but left one side untouched so that the people of St Louis might better understand that our city could be as beautiful as her residents chose.

Additionally, Bunny served on numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including Civic Progress Inc., campaign chairman of the United Way of Greater St. Louis in 1982, the Jewish Hospital of St Louis, St John’s Mercy Medical Center, BJC Health System, president of the Harry Edison Foundation, and was a member of Friends of Harvard Mathematics. He was also a Lieutenant in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

As a coin collector, Bunny amassed the world largest collection of half-cents, as well as the world’s largest collection of error half-cents - coins that were faulty. He named that collection the Davy Collection, after his youngest son.

Bunny was a talented poet and wordsmith, and would often read poetry to his family. He had a special fondness for Robert Frost and the short stories of O. Henry. He loved keeping up with developments in science and mathematics, a lifelong love of learning that he passed to his children, who loved him very dearly.

Memorial service Sunday, April 22nd, 12:30 PM at Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Road. No visitation prior to service. Memorial contributions preferred to John Burroughs School, 755 S Price Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63124 or the United Way of Greater St. Louis, 910 N 11th St, Saint Louis, MO 63101.