Leo Drey dies; Missouri's largest private landowner until he gave it all away

[Sherman A1]

For decades, city boy Leo Drey drove across dusty Ozark roads, introducing himself to farmers and offering to buy their timberland. Much of that land was nearly worthless from years of neglect by lumber companies.

But Drey had a grand plan to make money from the wrecked forests. He would restore them, selectively harvest and sell some timber while preserving the rest for nature lovers, recreation and gradual harvesting later.

To the surprise of many, Drey’s pioneering ideas worked. His forests thrived and he became a multimillionaire. His buying trips paid off and eventually he became Missouri’s largest private landowner.

Then he gave it all away — to a foundation he set up to preserve the land.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/obituaries/leo-drey-dies-missouri-s-largest-private-landowner-until-he/article_736f1bd8-6103-5202-aad0-7f74cb8f9234.html

[mike_c]

1. wow, what a life....