Democratic power broker, philanthropist dies

S. Lee Kling, a businessman, philanthropist and Democratic Party leader whose influence extended from presidential campaigns to international peace negotiations, died Saturday (July 26, 2008) at his home in Country Life Acres. He was 79. The cause of death was lung cancer. Mr. Kling was chairman of the Kling Co., an insurance, consulting and investment firm. He was also the longtime board chairman and chief executive officer of Landmark Bancshares Corp., which was bought by another bank in 1991. Mr. Kling had a long list of professional accomplishments and political posts, including a stint as finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee in the 1970s. He served as treasurer of President Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign and twice he was treasurer of U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt's presidential committee. He received... [read full story]