More detail on this person: Stanley Eugene
Kaiser (73), Vietnam veteran, culinary artist and
Harley enthusiast, died at his home in Colville on
April 16, 2015. He was born in Colville on Nov.
30, 1941 to Judith and Walter Kaiser and was the
youngest of seven children. He grew up in Colville
and graduated from Colville High School in 1959.
Stanley enlisted in the United States Army in the
fall of 1959 and served for three years, including
a tour in Germany. Following a short stint as a
civilian, he reenlisted. He attended paratrooper
training and later Officer Candidate School,
graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He
completed Army Aviation Helicopter Flight School,
receiving his wings in 1967.
He completed two tours in Vietnam as a
heliAŽcopter pilot, earning a Bronze Star with a V
for Valor for volAŽunteering and rescuing a downed
pilot. He was also awarded the Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry with Silver Star. Between tours, he
returned to Ft. Wolters, TX as a Flight Commander
and Instructor Pilot. After returning from his
second tour, he finished his Bachelor's Degree in
Political Science at the UniAŽversity of Puget
Sound. He was later stationed in Hawaii and
Arizona, retiring as a Major. He was extremely
proud of his military career.
Entering civilian life, Stan lent his considerable
talents to the work force, most notably for C-Tran
as a bus operator in VanAŽcouver. While working
for C-Tran, he was ofAŽten praised for his
friendly and outgoing personality and ended up
with many lifelong friends with whom he enjoyed
spending his free time.
In 1994 he moved back to Colville. He drove the
Rural ReAŽsources bus for several years. The 911
scanner at his home was never turned off. Outside
of work, Stan was an avid cook, gardener and
carpenter. His culinary creations were ofAŽten
acAŽcompanied by his homemade wine. Even with
all these enAŽdeavors, Stanley still found time to
pursue his other pasAŽsions, namely hunting,
fishing, scuba diving, and snowmobiAŽling.
Never one to settle for mundane transportation,
Stan chose to ride a motorcycle and a Harley
Davidson was his ride of choice. He often spoke of
the freedom and exhilaration he felt while riding.
One could tell that his bike was not just about
getting him to where he was going, but a
lifestyle. He went on cross-country trips and rode
thousands of miles with his famAŽily of rider
friends. As time went by, it was "all Harley all
the time". When he had to store his precious bike
for the winter, it landed a prestigious spot in
his living room. He even hung lights on it for
Christmas every year.
During Stan's lifetime, he had three marriages:
Carol AshAŽbaugh, Sharon O'Mealy, and Judy
Smith. Although the marAŽriages ended, Stan
remained close to his children, stepAŽchilAŽdren,
and grandchildren.
Stan had a true and sincere compassion for helping
people and was involved in numerous community
service proAŽjects. He volunteered as an
umpire/coach for many Little League and softball
games. He was fiercely patriotic and strongly
supAŽported veterans' causes, belonging to the
AmeriAŽcan Legion, VFW, Patriot Guard, American
Legion Riders Post 47 in Colville, and the Eagles.
He was instrumental in organAŽizing the 9-11 rides
in remembrance of those who lost their lives on
that day, as well many other charitable and
memorial rides.
Stan will always be remembered by his family and
friends as a kind and caring person. His legacy of
concern for others, zest for life, and
determination to live life on his own terms will
live on in the hearts of those who had the
privilege to know him.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents,
Judith and Walter Kaiser, and by his sister,
Eleanor Faircloth.
He is survived by his brothers, Herman Kaiser
(Marianne), Spokane; and Howard Kaiser (Eileen),
Kettle Falls; sisters, Darlene Adams (Donna),
Colville; Doris Davis (Vadis), Muncie, IN; and
Alice Johnson (Paul), Spokane; sons, Brian Kaiser
and Bret Kaiser (Joanne), and their son, Jess; and
his daughAŽter, Brenda Van Eaton (Doug) and their
children, Damon and Gaby; stepchildren: Todd
O'Mealy (Sue) and their children Hunter and Emmy;
Chad O'Mealy (Linnea), and their children, Josee
and Forrest; Saundra Smith, son Kamron Lyons
and Matthew Smith, along with many nieces,
nephews, friends and extended family.
A celebration of Stanley's life will be held at
12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Colville City
Park.
If you have words of remembrance or a favorite
story about Stan please email them to:
revtambell@hotmail.com. Please visit the online
memorial and sign the guestbook at
www.danekasfuneralchapel.com
Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been
entrusted with the arrangements.
Published in The Statesman Examiner on Apr. 29,
2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association