Michael Neidorff never forgot his Altoona roots, even as he was leading one of the nation’s biggest companies.

The Altoona native and Altoona High School Class of 1961 graduate died Thursday at age 79 after a long illness.

Known for his philanthropy in St. Louis, Neidorff was CEO of Centene, ranked No. 24 on the Fortune 500 list, for more than a quarter century. Centene is the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care organization, is the largest carrier on the Health Insurance Marketplace and a national leader in managed long-term services and support, according to its website.

“This man from Altoona, Pa., really single-

handedly was at the helm for 25 years,” longtime friend Jack Schocker said. “What made him unique was he was a successful businessman, but he never forgot his roots. He really was committed to giving high quality care to their members and he made sure they had the best health care.”

Schocker, who moved to the area in 1982, met and quickly became friends with Neidorff’s mother and brother, Bobby. He didn’t meet Michael until 10 years later, but the two also quickly became friends.

“I would visit sometimes in St. Louis, and I got to know him and got to admire him really as a person,” Schocker said. “He was an amazing person, and he was driven. He really had a tremendous drive for quality health care.”

According to Bobby, Michael donated millions to the St. Louis Symphony, where his wife, Noemi, was president of the association. He also donated money toward the St. Louis Blues’ practice facility, he said.

Neidorff, Schocker said, was very successful but never let that get to his head.

“When you walked with him, you sort of felt like a celebrity because he was so well known, but he was still humble and acted like anyone else and was someone to look up to,” Schocker said. “I miss him very, very much.”

Schocker said he’ll remember his friend for being “extremely charitable” and committed to diversity and inclusion, principles that he said Neidorff applied to both his personal and professional lives.

Bobby said he’ll remember most how his brother was good to people.

“I remember his generosity and how he was helping people and that he always had open arms out to help people in need,” he said.

A graduate of San Antonio’s Trinity University, Neidorff was friends with the Bush and Clinton families and was appointed to the Kennedy Center’s board of directors in Washington, D.C., by then President George H. W. Bush. Still, Bobby said, his brother was a down-to-earth person who didn’t take himself too seriously.

“He never wanted a lot of publicity for himself, and the community and St. Louis will miss him greatly,” Bobby said. “He built Centene into the giant company it is today and he worked really hard to do it.”

In addition to his brother, Bobby, Neidorff is survived by his wife, Noemi; son, Peter Neidorff; and sister, Susan Neidorff Reinglass.

A memorial service for family and friends to celebrate his life will be announced at a later date.