Gerald Raymond Staab

Gerald Raymond Staab, 93, was born on September 16, 1932 in rural Ellis County, Kansas to William R. Staab and Pauline Staab (nee Doerfler). Gerald was predeceased by his spouse June Marie Staab (nee Blasi) (1937 – 2024), and sons Charles R. Staab and Russell A. Staab, and grandson Ziggy Staab. He is survived by sons Martin R. Staab of Longmont, Anthony W. Staab and Talene, of Vienna, Virginia and their children Arika and Anthony, and by grandchildren Lauren and Anna of Colorado and their mother Louise Betcher Staab of Broomfield.

Dad was born among the first several generations of German immigrants from the Volga region of Russia. He spoke mostly German until entering grade school. By high school he proved to be a talented baseball player, which led to a brief career pitching in the professional minor leagues in Oklahoma. Dad liked to claim that when he was drafted into the Army his objective was to make sure the sergeant in charge of the baseball team got a copy of his record. In a way, he served our country from a pitching mound, competing alongside and against quality ballplayers whose professional baseball careers had also been interrupted by military service.

Gerald married June Marie Blasi in April of 1956. Employment took him to Wichita, where Marty was born. Next, to Denver, where Charlie was born. Next, to Arkansas, where Russell was born. Then back to Wichita, where Tony was born. Now that the roster was complete he turned his attention to Colorado, where he most wanted to raise his family.

Longmont has been his home since 1967, and he embraced it. Dad loved Colorado, and jokingly feigned annoyance at his ancestors for not migrating another measly 400 miles west. He raised four sons through two local high schools. He coached June’s softball teams, and supported her sewing, quilting, and golf. He made sure his family had mountain time, not only camping trips but sometimes just breakfast along the St. Vrain River.

Dad acquired the Bernina Sewing Center, which he operated for 25 years until he retired. Though he had closed the shop he recreated his workbench in the basement. He continued to service and repair sewing machines for his many loyal customers who only trusted “Jerry” with their machines.

Sometime around 1993 his car broke down. Rather than go car shopping he elected to walk the mile and a half to work. For the heck of it, he began running a block or two. Next

thing you know is he’s running on weekends. Tracks were too boring, so he favored parks, trails, and other cross country type routes. He couldn’t quite understand why golfers kept yelling at him.

Dad was running miles at a time and was in amazing physical condition when his attention turned to the mountains. At age 59 his passion became hiking Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. He bagged 29 different summits, many of them more than once. Longs Peak was his favorite, which he often climbed in conjunction with his September birthday. When his age precluded mountain climbing he adopted a workout routine at the local YMCA several mornings each week. He lamented getting older, complaining that he could only do 13 chin-ups. On days he was tired he still made time to visit the gym, if only to maintain his connection to the “regulars” who had befriended each other.

In the past year, as his body began to fail, his mind and memory remained sharp. Names and details of his life came easily, and we were blessed with time to enjoy many long, pleasant discussions of his life, experiences and family. In our deeper discussions we solved many of the world’s problems, if only someone would listen. Dad was ready. And prepared.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please favor the Altar and Rosary Society of St. John’s Catholic Church in Longmont.