In Memoriam

Pierre Lamont Troupe was born to Rose Marie and James (Buddy) Troupe on September 29, 1954. He soon had a brother, Brian, and two sisters, Rochelle Robinson and Kimberly Troupe. His sisters joked that they didn’t quite remember much playing with Pierre (Pete) because he spent more time reading than playing. By age 5, he was reading daily newspapers and was featured as a “whiz kid” in the St. Louis Globe Democrat and Argus newspapers.

By second grade, Pierre was placed in a school for exceptional children in Webster Groves. He was accompanied by his life-long friend, Angela (Princess) Hicks. His first summer job was at around age 11 tutoring children, most of them older than he was. He attended grade school at Holy Rosary and high school at Saint Louis University High School.

Pierre became a political guru. He loved politics, which was rooted in his family, his father, grandfather, uncles and cousin Charles Quincy Troupe, the former state representative.

Pierre earned an academic scholarship to attend college, and graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Biological Science. He met his lifelong brotherhood at Northwestern. He also expanded his taste for what he called “raw, real jazz” and became a collector. He and friend Darrel attended many concerts by Miles and other jazz greats.

Soon after college, Pierre became connected to his new crew and found a club where they all hung out called Nicks Lounge. Pierre met his wife Rose (Robins) Troupe at Nicks. They married on May 5, 1984, which resulted in 32 years of marriage and the birth of their two daughters, Stephanie R. Troupe Lenzly (Kevin) and Ashley M. Troupe, both Daddy’s little girls for life. The birth of his grandson, Jace Carter Lenzly in 2015 added a renewed spirit of love, energy and appreciation for life.

Pierre had a successful career in sales and management in pharmaceuticals, radio and human resources at Vensure. His most successful career spanned over 25 years at Clear Channel (IHeart) Radio. Pierre transferred in 2008 as a sales manager with Clear Channel Radio in Greensboro, North Carolina and over the past four years he lived in Georgia.

Pierre was well-known and greatly respected for his intellect, communication skills and ability to share knowledge with his family, friends and colleagues. He was a mentor and father figure to many of his nieces, nephews and friends, as well as his daughters’ friends at Hazelwood schools.

Pierre’s life story ended suddenly, way too soon, on October 11, 2016. Pierre often said, “The only person you can change for the better is YOU and, in the blink of an eye, everything can change – so forgive often and love with all your heart, because you may never have that chance again.”

Pierre L. Troupe Scholarship