It’s nearly impossible to enjoy the St. Louis outdoors without feeling the influence of Stephen Michael “Mike” Murray. Ride a bike or take a walk in Forest Park, or on one of our greenways; Murray was a founding board member of Forest Park Forever and the Great River Greenway District, the latter by appointment from Mayor Clarence Harmon. He was instrumental in creating the region’s first bike plan as chairman on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee of the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council. Ditto the Mississippi River Trial, which connects 10 states from the headwaters of the river to the Gulf of Mexico. And if you participate in the Missouri State Championship Time Trials or the Missouri State Championship Criterium (or almost any other big bike race in the state), well, Murray had a hand in that, too, as the Midwest representative on the board of USA Cycling for 20 years.

The list goes on. In fact, if the cause had to do with protecting the environment or supporting the creation of bicycle, pedestrian or park/greenway assets in St. Louis, chances are Murray was involved. “Mike was the glue, he held it all together,” said Mike Weiss, owner of Big Shark Bicycle Co. “He was always there helping the cycling community, whether they knew it or not. The whole cycling landscape on St. Louis wouldn’t exist without him.”

Sadly, Murray passed away at age 76 earlier this year. Memorial donations may be made to Forest Park Forever, 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63112 or online at forestparkforever.org/donate.