It is with profound sadness and deep gratitude that Great Rivers Habitat Alliance reflects on the recent passing of three of our Founding members—Adolphus A. Busch IV, Garth Fort, and James M. Schloeman. Each of these remarkable individuals helped shape GRHA’s mission, identity, and enduring commitment to protecting the Confluence floodplain. Their leadership, passion, and generosity laid the foundation for an organization devoted to safeguarding one of North America’s most ecologically significant landscapes. 

Adolphus A. Busch IV

On May 30, 2026, we lost our co‑founder, Adolphus A. Busch IV, whose visionary leadership and fierce dedication to conservation were instrumental in establishing GRHA’s purpose and direction. A lifelong outdoorsman and passionate defender of Missouri’s wetlands, Adolphus devoted countless hours to ensuring the Confluence ecosystem would be protected for generations to come. His love for the land, whether hunting, fishing, planting fields, or restoring habitat was matched only by his devotion to his family and community. He was a dedicated conservationist, true adventurer, and deeply loving father and grandfather, a man whose life was defined by stewardship and service.

Adolphus’s impact on GRHA cannot be overstated. He championed bold conservation strategies, inspired collaborative partnerships, and infused our mission with the urgency and passion that continues to guide us today. We remain fully committed to honoring his legacy by advancing the vital work he so fiercely believed in. Our deepest sympathies are with the Busch family during this difficult time.

Garth Fort

We also mourn the passing of Garth Fort, who died on April 20, 2026. A founder of GRHA, Garth brought a lifelong love of the natural world to our organization. Garth was dedicated to outdoor pursuits—camping, fishing, hunting—and his commitment to conservation was a core family value.

Garth’s engineering mind, generous spirit, and gift for storytelling made him a treasured presence within GRHA. He believed deeply in protecting the Confluence and understood the importance of preserving wild places for future generations. His leadership helped shape GRHA’s early direction, and his legacy continues to inspire our work.

James M. Schloeman

In 2025, GRHA lost another founding member, James M. Schloeman, who passed away on September 11, 2025. Jim was known for his generosity, leadership, and love of the outdoors, especially duck hunting, a passion that connected him deeply to the wetlands we strive to protect. He was a devoted family man, community leader, and conservation‑minded outdoorsman.

Jim’s financial expertise, steady guidance, and commitment to habitat preservation were invaluable during GRHA’s formative years. His belief in protecting the Confluence helped establish the strong organizational foundation we stand on today.

As we honor Adolphus, Garth, and Jim, we also reaffirm our dedication to the mission they helped build. Their legacies live on in every acre we protect, every partnership we forge, and every effort we make to defend the Confluence floodplain.

Great Rivers Habitat Alliance stands on the shoulders of these extraordinary founders—and we remain steadfast in carrying their vision forward.