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Mr. Sindelar had been at the helm of area businesses for decades. Prior to his role at St. Anthony’s, he was CEO of an electronics manufacturing company based in Clayton.

With an accounting degree from St. Louis University, Mr. Sindelar served as chief financial officer for various manufacturing companies with operations all over the world, said Kelly Wetzler, a longtime colleague of Mr. Sindelar’s.

As a native of south St. Louis County, Mr. Sindelar had close ties to the hospital he would lead later in life.

“He grew up riding his bike around the site of St. Anthony’s,� Winthrop Reed, vice chair of the hospital’s board, said of Mr. Sindelar’s long ties and loyalty to the area and hospital.

Most recently, Mr. Sindelar had served as CEO of St. Anthony’s for 18 months before his death. He was tapped to lead one of the last remaining independent hospitals after a tumultuous few years that included numerous leadership changes and budget and staffing cuts.

“St. Anthony’s took its greatest strides as an organization under his leadership,� Reed said.

News of Mr. Sindelar’s death comes just weeks after St. Anthony’s agreed to become part of Chesterfield-based Mercy, the area’s third-largest health care provider. Mr. Sindelar’s role in the deal was one of his “greatest works,� Reed said.

“I’m very saddened by the passing of Mr. Sindelar. He has done so much for South County and St. Anthony’s. I’m proud to have known him,� Donn Sorensen, an executive with Mercy, told the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday.

“His mark and legacy at St. Anthony’s is deep,� Sorensen said.

Mr. Sindelar had served on St. Anthony’s board since 2002. He was elevated to board chair in 2010 and was named CEO in 2015.

Mr. Sindelar grew up in south St. Louis County and graduated from Lindbergh High School.

He is survived by his wife, Sara, and their two children, Lauren Sheehan and James Sindelar.