Langsams Are Heroes for St. Louis Who Rate Zoo “Top of the List”
Hannah and Larry Langsam are longtime friends of the Saint Louis Zoo. “In 1971, we moved to St. Louis from Boston with our three young daughters. The Saint Louis Zoo soon became a major attraction for our family,” recalls Hannah. Nearly 50 years later, their daughters are grown with families of their own (six grandchildren to be proud of), Larry is retired from his career in retail clothing and Hannah from teaching French.
The Langsams still enjoy visits to the Zoo to walk the park-like pathways as they did when their girls were little. Among their fondest memories are meeting Bennie the California sea lion, learning about reptiles from Saint Louis Zoo Director Emeritus Charlie Hoessle, and watching Raja the bull elephant grow up at the Zoo over the past 26 years. Larry has a keen sense of humor and telltale smile that lets people know when he’s cracking a sarcastic joke. The tempo of a Zoo event lifts when the Langsams arrive!
Hannah reflected on their motivation for philanthropic support over the years. They give to organizations they feel enable the St. Louis community to thrive. “We have always felt it important to support the cultural gems of St. Louis: the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, the Repertory Theatre, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Saint Louis Science Center, Missouri Botanical Garden and especially the Saint Louis Zoo for the educational opportunities offered by both its flora and fauna.”
Larry and Hannah have supported the Zoo in many ways over the years. We are proud to have them in the Zoo family as Marlin Perkins Society members, Zoo Parents, Campaign Donors and Heritage Society members.
Among the many treasures that make St. Louis a great place to live, the Langsams rate the Zoo at the top of the list. The feeling is mutual.
A legacy gift to the Saint Louis Zoo is a great way to show your commitment to animals. To learn more about how you can follow the Langsams' lead and become a member of our Heritage Society, contact the Planned Giving Office at plannedgiving@stlzoo.org or (314) 646-4973.