John Vatterott: 1943-2023
10/23/2023
John Vatterott, a Saint Louis University alum and a long-time supporter of Saint Louis University, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. He was 79.
John and his wife Joan were recognized by SLU at the May 2022 commencement ceremony for their commitment to social justice and helping underserved students find their path through education. The couple received honorary degrees at the ceremony.
Vatterott (A&S) graduated from SLU in 1965. Vatterott, at 25 years old, worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Missouri Department of Education. In that position, he recognized the need for stronger trade schools. When his boss did not bite on the idea, Vatterott pursued it with a partner and, in 1969, with a little more than $1,000, they established what became Vatterott College — a network of trade schools stretching across the Midwest.
Vatterott College was sold in 2003. In retirement, John and Joan Vatterott put their energies full time into charitable work through the Joan and John Vatterott Foundation. They provided funding to numerous non-profit organizations during the last two decades, primarily in the St. Louis area.
In 2005, the Vatterotts and a group of other concerned St. Louisans founded Access
Academies. The enterprise uses enrichment programs and scholarships to propel historically
underserved middle school students through high school and college.
Access serves more than 500 students in the metro area. Ninety-eight percent of academy
students graduate from high school on time. Ninety-six percent are accepted to colleges,
universities, or other post-secondary institutions.
In 2020, SLU integrated Access Academies into the Saint Louis University School of Education to strengthen the University’s connection with students in local Catholic schools and their surrounding neighborhoods. The integration also allows Access Academies to tap into the school’s expertise, research, and SLU’s Billiken Teacher Corps to enhance programming further.
John Vatterott received the Sacred Heart Award from Saint Louis University High School. He was a member of SLUH’s Board of Trustees, and he and his wife Joan made the largest charitable gift to St. Louis U. High in the school’s history.
He also received the Humanitarian Alumnus Award from Chaminade College Preparatory School. He is a legacy inductee into the Inaugural Hall of Fame at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. John and Joan Vatterott are recipients of the Heart of Hope Award from Boys Hope Girls Hope.
Vatterott was one of 17 children. Seven of his siblings are SLU alumni. Over the years at the former family farm in New Haven Missouri, Joan and John Vatterott renovated the grounds and buildings constructed by his father to create the Cedar Creek Hotel and Event Center. It has become a premier wedding destination and retreat center for non-profit organizations, corporate groups and families.
Vatterott is survived by his wife, Joan; children John Jr. (Emily); Katy, Mia (Michael Fitzgerald); Timothy (Miranda); Genevieve (Rich Haa); and Patrick (Anna); many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Vatterott donated his body to the Saint Louis University Medical School.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on a date to be planned when children, grandchildren, and friends will gather to honor him.