John Richard Lenger

John Richard Lenger, 61, of St. Charles, MO, passed away Thursday, August 7, 2025 at StoneBridge Senior Living, Hermann, Missouri. John was born in Washington, Missouri on January 26, 1964, a son of Richard Lenger and Joan (Klos) Hart.

After studying Journalism and Political Science at the University of Columbia-MO, and shining at local newspapers, John was hired as managing editor of the Harvard Gazette, the traditional University's newspaper, located in the Boston area. John worked at Harvard University for more than 15 years, and was remembered by former colleagues for his masterful writing pieces, creative ideas and completing projects with a calm demeanor and respectful sense of humor.

While working at Harvard, John also excelled as a student, earning a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard Graduate School in 2002. Shortly after earning his Masters, he began teaching at Harvard and became an award-winning professor. John taught journalism principles and practices to undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard Extension School for more than 15 years. He helped spark the creation of the Harvard Graduate Program in Journalism. John was the winner of Harvard University's highest honor for teaching writing, the James E. Conway Excellence in Teaching Writing Award, 2005. His former students went on to positions at The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and the Associated Press.

John was known for his kindness and intelligence, and since becoming a parent, which transformed his life, for his profound love for Juan Rafael, his only son with Maria Cristina Caballero (also a journalist), who he met at Harvard University. John recently celebrated Juan Rafael's 21st birthday. He indicated it felt great to know that he was the one who inspired his son to be an engineer dedicated to inventing devices to help people with movement disorders such as Parkinson's (from which John suffered). John smiled when his son told him he will continue living forever through his inventions.

John is survived by his father, Richard Lenger (Beverly), of O'Fallon, Missouri; his stepfather, Gordon Craig Hart, of St. Charles, Missouri; his brother, Matthew Lenger (Melissa), of St. Peters, Missouri; his son, Juan Rafael Lenger Caballero, and Juan’s mother, Maria Cristina Caballero. He is preceded in death by his mother Joan Hart.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 23rd from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann.

Burial will be at St. George Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.