Stanley Stauffer

Stanley H. Stauffer, 86, of Topeka died after a battle with cancer Thursday, November 2, 2006 at Midland Hospice House.
He was born September 11, 1920 in Peabody, Kansas the son of Oscar and Ethel Stone Stauffer. Stan graduated from Shattuck School, Faribault, MN and Kansas University.
Stan served in the Army Air Force as a flying instructor and photo reconnaissance pilot from 1942-1945. He later served as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve.
He was the former Board Chairman and President of Stauffer Communications, Inc., Topeka, KS, which owned and operated daily and weekly newspapers and television and radio stations in 15 states, including Grit and Capper's magazines which circulate nationally.
He worked summers in news and advertising on various newspapers through school, including serving as editor and publisher of the university daily at KU. Later he was a reporter and associate editor of the Topeka State Journal; editor and general
Manager of the Santa Maria (Calif.) Times; reporter, rewrite and copy editor of the Denver Post; staff member of the Denver Bureau, Associated Press; general manager of the Topeka Capital-Journal; executive vice president, president 1969-86, and chairman 1986-92 of Stauffer Communications. He was past director of the Inland Daily Press Assn., Newspaper Advertising Bureau, and California Newspaper Publishers Assn., past member of Associated Press audit and nominating committees and United Press International advisory board, past president Kansas Press Assn., director Stauffer Communications, Topeka/Shawnee County Development Corporation, Kansas Chamber of Commerce & Industry (past chairman), Political Action Committee of Kansas, former director Yellow Freight System, Inc., Canadian Pacific Forest Products, Ltd., Bank IV-Topeka, past chairman Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, past president Topeka YMCA, past senior warden Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Trustee William Allen White Foundation (past president), Midwest Research Institute, Menninger Foundation, Washburn University Endowment Assn., Capper Foundation, Topeka YMCA Foundation, Kansas Business Hall of Fame (past chairman).


He married Suzanne Wallace in 1945 in New York City and they later divorced. Survivors are Peter W. Stauffer, Topeka, Clay W. Stauffer, Holland, MI and Charles S. Stauffer, Solvang, CA. He married Elizabeth (Libby) Priest in 1962 and they later divorced. Survivors are Betsy Leonard, Vancouver, WA and Grant S. Stauffer, Columbia, MO. He married Madeline Sargent of Palm Springs, CA in 1992. She survives. Additional survivors include his brother John H. Stauffer, Topeka and eleven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Betty S. Collinson.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2006 at Grace Episcopal Cathedral. Private family interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Midland Hospice Care and Washburn University Endowment Association. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message for the family please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.