Robert Staples

STAN STAPLES Longtime Chico resident Robert Stanley "Stan" Staples, born Nov. 21, 1922, in San Francisco, to Harold and Vernice Staples, passed away on August 28, 2012 in Chico. The family moved to Chico in the summer of 1925 to operate a photography studio. Stan attended the Chico Vecino School and graduated from Chico High School in January of 1941. At five years of age, he accompanied his father to an airfield south of Chico, where four barn stormers were flying, applying their trade. The smell of hot engine oil, the sounds and the odor of doped paint fuselages made a strong impression on the young boy and he became badly infected with the "aviation bug". Stan attended one semester at Chico State College before entering the Army Air Corps on March 1, 1943 as an aviation cadet. After training in Texas and Kansas, he served in the 765 Bombing Squadron of the 461 Bombing Group (The Liberators) based in Italy. He flew B-24's for the remainder of World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart on February 22, 1945. He remained on reserve duty after the war, serving 42 years of active and reserve duty, retiring as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Retuning to Chico in 1945, he began working with his father at Staples Studio, as well as returning to Chico State. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1949. Upon Harold's retirement in the mid 60's, Stan took over the renamed Staples Studio and Camera Store. He was responsible for many graduation portraits, wedding memories and aerial photography in the Butte County area. He retired and closed the store on Dec. 25, 1985. While continuing to fly as a private pilot, he also practiced his boyhood hobby of building model airplanes. He was active in the International Plastic Modelers Society since the 1970's. He exhibited models in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Salt Lake City competitions. His meticulously crafted exhibits won many awards, leading the Society to ask him to judge in competitions. He married Dagney Johnson in 1949, raising seven children together. She passed away in July 2000. In June of 2002, he married Audi Van Ornum, adding four step- children to the family. Stan was a member of Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge #111 for 62 years. He served as a coach for 30 years, the last ten as the Head Coach. He was also a member of Hi-12, now a Masonic Luncheon Club, Josephine Chico Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and attended the First Christian Church. While in business, he belonged to the Chico Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife, Audi; daughters, Beverly Staples, Peggy Staples (John) Chambers, Susan (Richard) Draper; sons, John, Tom and Rob Staples; grandchildren, Jennifer Ashton and John Edward Chambers; great-grandson, Kalen Joaquin; and brother, Boyd Staples. He is predeceased by his youngest son, James Chesley Staples. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W. East Ave. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, in care of the Brusie Funeral Home.