Timothy Thornton, of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale. 

Timothy Thornton, who in 2016 become the first CEO of St. Louis-based Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, has died from injuries in a bicycle accident Sunday. He was 64.

According to local news reports, Thornton was biking on Missouri Route 100 on Sunday when he was struck by a westbound pickup truck. Thornton was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead hours later. The driver of the pickup remained on scene and cooperated with officers.

“This is a huge loss for the Greensfelder family,” Greensfelder chief operating officer Heather Henry said in a statement. “Tim was an inspiring and widely admired leader and will be greatly missed. His passion for the firm and its people was contagious.”

Vincent Garozzo, a former president of Greensfelder and member of the firm's board of directors, told ALM that the board will most likely meet Wednesday and will appoint an interim CEO while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement for Thornton.

Throughout his 38-year tenure at Greensfelder, Thornton served in various leadership roles at the 150-lawyer firm, including as board member, president and then its CEO in 2016.

As CEO, the firm said, Thornton helped grow the firm's Chicago office and helped with diversity initiatives and the implementation of a new strategic growth plan. “His leadership has been invaluable in helping chart the future of Greensfelder,” said Garozzo in a statement. “Having someone as well-respected as Tim leading the push was important in uniting the firm to achieve big goals.”

According to his firm bio, Thornton graduated from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1980. His primary area of practice was in construction.

Thornton is survived by his wife, Terry, as well as three children and one grandchild.