Benjamin Edwards III, the former CEO of regional brokerage AG Edwards, died Monday after a battle with cancer. He ran the company for more than 40 years until he retired in 2001. At that point, he assumed the title of chairman emeritus.

Edwards was the great grandson of the company’s founder Albert Gallatin Edwards. Edwards’ successor, Robert Bagby, sold the company to Wachovia Securities in 2007 for $6.8 billion. Edwards criticized that deal, as did other executives, because they felt it killed the culture of the company.

Edwards had been known for his approachable management style. He answered his own phone and made a point to talk one-on-one with all new employees on their first day of work.

Edwards was known in St. Louis as a civic booster, active in local groups like the United Way of Greater St. Louis and Civic Progress, a group of top local executives that funds programs in education, racial progress, economic development and infrastructure.

After the sale to Wachovia, Edwards’ son, Benjamin “Tad” Edwards IV, launched his own company called Benjamin F. Edwards Co. He told On Wall Street last year that the news of the acquisition was “powerful news to hear.” He said at the time: “I was surprised and sad, but eventually you move forward—you take the high road and try to be positive.”