Dick Staab

Richard Garniss Staab, best known as Dick,  was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 2, 1933, to Carlyle, Best known as Buster,  & Belva Staab. His  parents attended University of Nebraska, where his father played football, tailback, for the Cornhuskers. This is why Dick loved the Nebraska Cornhuskers, especially the football team. Dick's family moved often while he was young due to his father being a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.  During one of his father's posting, he befriended a neighbor boy who was Roy Orbison. Dick and his family moved  to Baker when he was in junior high school, to be closer to the Shrine Hospital, where he was a patient for many years. Dick met Joan through a mutual friend and he asked her to a dance, they began a relationship that spanned  7 years before he proposed to the love of his life. Dick  graduated from high school with the Baker High Class of 1952, including the honor of being the "Athlete of the year," which is still posted at Baker City High School. In his younger years he played baseball in Nebraska with his brother and cousins for the American Legion, farm league, and semi-pro. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and took a bus from Nebraska to Fort Sill Oklahoma.  He completed basic training but did not serve overseas. He was honorably discharged and returned home to work on his uncle's critical farm.

On August 24, 1954 he was married to Joan Katherine Gildersleeve in Baker where the couple made their home until moving to La Grande in 1962, where they owned and operated the Standard Oil distributorship. He purchased and operated Cass's Tavern, both #1 & #2, He worked for Davidson Brothers Construction during the building of Interstate 84. He worked as a delivery driver for Don & Larry's Distributing and later mowed lawns for the La Grande Country Club.

Besides being a hard worker at his many jobs he was a genuine community servant and was awarded the Union County Chamber of Commerce "Man of the Year" for his diligent service. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge, the Eagles Aerie, American Legion, the La Grande Country Club and the Optimists Club. He was a Boy Scout Master, coached football, baseball & Little League. Dick served as a recruiter for the East West Shrine Football game, and stayed involved for many years.  He was a volunteer firefighter, member of the La Grande City Council and helped at the Celebrate La Grande's end of year block party each year. He also belonged to the La Grande Country Club. He cooked and served at the Farmer-Merchant Banquet and the dinners hosted by the American Legion as well as many other events. Dick and Joan were very active in planning and attending class reunions and family reunions. 

Relatives who remain are his children, Larry and his wife Susan of Keizer, Bob and his wife Jessica of Danville, California and Sandra of La Grande, grandchildren, Sara and husband Greg Carter, Robyn and husband B.K. Gray, Tyson, Tanner, Tia, Tatum Staab and Sergio Staab, great-granddaughter Atlantic "Addy". Dick's brother Thomas and sister-in-law Barbara Staab of Redmond, Washington and sister-in-law Susan Staab of Lacey, Washington.

Besides his parents Dick was preceded by Joan Staab, his wife, of 69 years, who died in 2023. Dick was also preceded in death by his brother Carlyle 2024.

Dick passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, peacefully in his sleep at his home in La Grande at the age of 91.

A service will be held Saturday May 31, 2025, 3:00 pm, at the Church of the Nazarene. A celebration of life will follow at the American Legion. 

Contributions in memory of Dick Staab may be made to the Portland Shrine Hospital For Children, Zion Lutheran Church, or American Legion in La Grande, OR.