ST. LOUIS — Ronald A. Leggett, who was St. Louis’ collector of income for  30 years, died Thursday at his house. He was 88.

Leggett, a Democrat and one in every of his period’s longest-serving metropolis elected officers identified for his smile and fast wit, first received the job in 1977, when he was named by then-Gov. Joseph Teasdale to fill a emptiness.

He was elected to a full four-year time period in 1978 and reelected six occasions, retiring in 2006. With greater than 100 staff, the workplace is among the metropolis’s largest patronage businesses and collects property, earnings and different taxes.

12 months after yr, metropolis residents received used to writing checks addressed to Ronald A. Leggett, collector.

Leggett graduated from the previous Southwest Excessive College and, after incomes a bachelor’s diploma in enterprise from Washington College, went to work within the insurance coverage subject.

In his 30s, he determined to vary careers, incomes a legislation diploma on the College of Louisville. He returned house and labored as an assistant circuit legal professional and in addition received concerned in politics, finally getting the collector’s appointment.

Tom Vollmer, an aide to Leggett who now works for present collector Gregory Daly, mentioned Leggett was the primary within the job to permit residents to pay property tax payments at banks throughout town.

He additionally started the state Income Division license workplace at Metropolis Corridor, permitting residents to resume car plates and driver’s licenses in the identical constructing the place they’ll get property tax receipts and beginning certificates.

Leggett additionally turned identified through the years for his assortment of traditional vehicles, at one level proudly owning no less than 30 of them and housing many in rented area in different St. Louisans’ garages.

A daughter, Samantha Leggett of St. Louis, mentioned a childhood go to together with his grandfather to the Indianapolis 500 helped stir a lifelong curiosity in vehicles.

“I’m the Humane Society for Previous Vehicles,” Leggett was quoted as saying in a 1994 Submit-Dispatch article. “The World’s Largest Assortment of Vehicles That Don’t Run.”

He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and the Field 8 Membership — a bunch of firefighting buffs — and had been a Boy Scouts chief.

Amongst different survivors are one other daughter, Vanessa Berra of south St. Louis County; a son, Ron Leggett Jr. of Tallahassee, Florida; six grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Visitation might be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Highway, South County. A funeral Mass might be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joan of Arc Church, 5800 Oleatha Avenue, with burial in Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial contributions could also be made to The Backstoppers Inc. or Shriners Hospital for Youngsters.