Former MICDS Graduate Perishes In Airplane Crash in Alabama

Editors note: Comments of sympathy and support are starting to pour in.This article has been updated since first posting mid-afternoon.

Fred Teutenberg, Jr., who died in a plane crash early Sunday morning in central Alabama along with six family members had a direct connection to the Ladue-Frontenac community. Teutenberg, 42 was a graduate of MICDS, Class of 1987. According to school records, he grew up on Fair Oaks Lane in Ladue while attending MICDS.

Along with Teutenberg, who piloted the plane, the other victims were his wife Terresa in her mid-30s, their children Will 10, Brendon 9, Ellie 6, Peyton 4 and Emma 2.

Comments of sympathy are pouring in.

Here's what officials at her learning center had to say:

The Discovery Learning Academy family is deeply saddened by the loss of our owner and friend Terresa Teutenberg. She was an excellent leader and role model. Her work within the school and the community will be greatly missed. She was patient and loving with the children in the school. Discovery Learning Academy was her pride and joy. She opened this center to serve a need within the community. She loved every single member of the Discovery family. She enjoyed working with the teachers and staff to reach out to the community and local area. Her heart was truly as big at the building. The laughter and love of her and her children will be missed at our center.

A former classment remembered Tuetenberg well. "We all knew Fred as a talented musician and stellar goal keeper for our soccer team," said Country Day classmate Fritz Faerber.

Teressa’s oldest child, 16-year old Ashlei Breuwer was not on the plane and survived.

Teutenberg was the son of Fred Teutenberg Sr., owner of a chain of discount liquor and cigarette shops throughout the St. Louis area.

The father used to own Dirt Cheap stores but branched off from the owners in 2009 to launch Fred’s Cheapo Depot stores.

Teutenberg Jr. was involved in music and sports at MICDS. He was All-ABC and captain of the soccer team and played water polo and was in the jazz and pep bands.

He also served on the yearbook and newspaper staffs.

The family of seven lived in Niceville, Fla. in the Florida panhandle. They came to St. Louis for a family reunion and were returning overnight Saturday to Florida to take part in special church services scheduled for Sunday.

The Cessna 421C the family was flying on left the Creve Coeur airport Saturday afternoon en route to Destin, Fla. Shortly before 7 p.m., according to wire service accounts, Teutenberg radioed authorities he was having engine trouble and requested clearance to land at the nearest airport, Demopolis, about 100 miles west of Montgomery in central Alabama. The airplane disappeared from radar, crashing in the woods about two miles short of the runway. All the victims were deceased when authorities first arrived.

FAA records indicate the plan is registered to Advanced Integrated Technology Solutions LLC in Niceville. The software design and development company’s websites list the Teutenbergs as company owners.

Terresa Teutenberg is a 1991 graduate of Francis Howell North High School. She owned Discovery Learning Academy in Bluewater Bay, Fla. Fred Teutenberg, Jr. attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis from 1988 to 1991.

Friends told the Northwest Florida Daily that Fred Teutenberg, Jr. did a lot of volunteer work and played base guitar every Sunday with the church band at the First United Methodist Church of Niceville.

No information is available yet concerning funeral arrangements.