George A. Killenberg

Who was George A. Killenberg?

George Andrew Killenberg is a notable American newspaper editor.

Killenberg was executive editor of the now defunct St. Louis Globe-Democrat, or the Globe as it was commonly called, from 1979 until retiring from the position in March 1984. His 43-year career at the newspaper began in 1941 when he was hired as a reporter. He later served as city editor and managing editor.

While still attending McBride High School, Killenberg was paid to provide scores and write stories about high school sports to the daily newspapers. After providentially meeting the director of sports information at Saint Louis University in the elevator at the St. Louis Star-Times, he was hired to replace him, though barely out of high school. The pay included free tuition to SLU, and until the job came along, Killenberg had no hope of going to college. He was forced to leave the position when a new university president cut his salary along with the SLU football program. A stint in public relations led him to the reporter job at the Globe-Democrat. In June 1943 he married Therese Murphy, and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage until her death in November 2007. After serving in the Army during World War II, he returned to his job at the Globe and to SLU as a part-time student, eventually earning a bachelor of science degree and master’s degree in American history.