Morton D. May
Chairman
May Department Stores
Laureate 2006
Morton D. May was born on March 25, 1914 to Morton J. May and Florence Goldman May. Buster, as Morton D. May was affectionately known, never strayed from his intention to continue the family business, including his father’s legacy of civic and philanthropic investment. Buster had many interests and talents in his school days. He was an accomplished tennis player, skier, and photographer. During vacations he started working at the May Department Store music counter. His interest in serving his customers was so great that he took up psychology in order to better understand them. Following college graduation in 1936, Buster began to work his way up at May until, in 1942, he left to fight in World War II. In 1943, Buster returned home with two battle stars and the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation. He promptly resumed his career at May, continuing his journey up through the ranks, until he was elected President of the entire May Department Stores empire in June of 1951. In 1945, plans for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which includes the famous Gateway Arch, had been languishing for 10 years. Buster knew that the memorial, with accompanying apartment and office buildings, a stadium, and a free bridge across the Mississippi River would revitalize St. Louis. He succeeded in rallying together $7,500,000 in local support, and squeezed $22,500,000 out of a reluctant federal government. Finally, thanks to Buster’s philanthropic efforts, the groundbreaking ceremonies were held in June of 1958. Such undying dedication to his community, including contributions to the St. Louis Boy Scouts, St. Louis University, the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Orchestra, and various city-wide Jewish Centers, prompted Morton D. May to be named the St. Louis Globe-Democrat’s Man of the Year in 1959.
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