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Stuart Depp Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Stuart Depp
AZ Lifeson
January 3, 2024
It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Dreamt of you last night and came looking for you today. You still live in our hearts. Your presence is everywhere. But I still miss you.
Greg Woods
September 27, 2020
Served with him in the first Persian Gulf War. Learned a lot from him. A true gentleman, mentor , and friend.
Matthew Michalski
March 31, 2020
In the late 90's I was a Bike Messenger in Columbus, Ohio mostly working with guys half my size, and stature. I was training with this amazing human named Stuart. It was maybe my 2nd or 3rd day. He was showing me short cuts, and safe pathways throughout the downtown area. We were pedaling straight north on High St. almost to Gay St. when we saw a guy running with a canvas bag in his hand, and an alarm bell was ringing in the background. He had just robbed a bank was making a getaway on foot. Stuart looked over at me and said "Let's get him"... and without hesitation, we both quickly got to the guy being on bikes. We grabbed him by his collar, slammed him up against the concrete wall of the parking garage at Gay and Front St. He relented as he thought we were cops, Stuart was ex-military, and at the time I was training in Tae Kwon Do 6 days a week, so we were pretty intimidating. About 30's seconds after, three cruisers rolled up, officers guns drawn, and we relinquished the guy. They looked at us as if we were nuts! "Who the hell are you guys?" One of the cops said, and we said almost in harmony, "we're bike messengers"... In retrospect, easily one of the dumbest, bravest things I've done.
Belinda Bowling
March 18, 2020
Stuart was doing random acts of kindness before there ever was such a book or trendy phrase. I STILL tell the following story to anyone who will listen, even now, 12 years after his passingIt was a glorious, sunny afternoon. I was hiking with Stuart (just the 2 of us). We walked and talked and laughed. There were quite a few other hikers on the trail that day. We were on the return leg of the hike, making our way back to the car, when we both noticed a rather plump, woman coming towards us on the trail. She was totally red-faced, with lots huffing and puffing and she already had copious amounts of sweat beaded up on her brow. As she past us, Stuart and I looked at each other. I commentedwell, you need to give her credit. At least shes out here doing it. Thats more than most folks. After another moment, Stuart said, Ill be back. Ill catch up with you and he turned and went back down the trail. I thought that perhaps he needed to see a man about a horse (as my grandfather would say). A short time later, he caught back up with me. I looked and him and I noticed that he no longer had his trekking poles. I was puzzled. Stuart, I asked, where are your trekking poles? He casually replied, I gave them away. What?!?! What do you mean, you gave them away? He replied, yes, I gave them to that woman who we passed on the trail. I figured that she needed the trekking poles more than me. I just shook my head. This is just one of MANY random acts of kindness that Ive known Stuart to engage in. When I think that I need to try to be a better person, I just ask myself now, what would Stuart do? I miss you my friend! Thanks for the memories and the laughs and the love!
Bertram P. Schneeze
October 8, 2018
10+ years you've been away and I am just now discovering this. Tears and laughter reading the posts below. To my favorite blue-eyed cycling bud, hope you're wearing those rubber spurs and kicking that sucker into high gear! Yee-haaaaa... love you, man! -and I assume you will recognize the reference of my chosen nom-de-plume.
Belinda and her forever best friend Stuart.
Belinda Bowling
March 18, 2009
As we approached the 1st anniversary of Stuart’s passing, a small group of his friends gathered here in New Mexico at Starbucks Coffee (Stuart was such a coffee hound). We wanted to continue the process of honoring him and celebrating his life. It was a warm, sunny and simply glorious day. We felt as though sharing one of Stuart’s famous coffee drinks would be a good way to remember him and to be together. So we indulged in what was “his” drink. It is as follows: Venti (which is the largest of the large), Breve (which means made with half & half instead of regular milk), latte (espresso, steamed milk and foam) with 1/2 sugar-free vanilla syrup, 1/2 sugar-free hazelnut syrup, no foam and an extra shot of espresso. Once created, we gathered our coffees and moved outside. There was a gentle breeze blowing, as we sat on the deck at Starbucks and we watched the world go by. Together, we raised our cups to him. Someone once told me that after you are gone, you are lucky if you are thought of once every couple of weeks and that’s if it is someone that was really significant. Based on this, Stuart, you are very, very, very lucky. Even now I think of you often. Sometimes I laugh. Sometime I cry. Sometimes I’m quoting you or sharing a memory or telling a story or remembering a gift that you gave to me or one that I gave to you. Sometimes I’m walking the grounds of the B&B and I’m looking around and remembering the projects that we did together. Sometimes I look at the projects yet to be completed and I know that you would have been a part of those as well. We miss you and we love you and we think of you and we cherish the love and humor that you brought into our lives. Your gifts are everywhere.
Antonio Arroyo Jr.
March 1, 2009
My prayers and condolences go out to the entire Depp Family. Never had a chance to meet Stuart personally but I have met Cynthia Cain and have the privilege of working with SGM Depp, Cathy Ann at Oakland Military Institute. Finest people I know. God bless you all and all your families.
Mike D
February 17, 2009
I learned late of Stuart's untimely passing. I'm sorry to have missed the celebration of his life with friends and family, yet, I celebrated life with Stu every time I saw him. What a guy! He could be dark and moody or absolutely jubilant. There were no shades of gray with this man. He was absolute and resolute in all that he did. He was my friend and I considered him part of my family. It is in my nature to wander and it seems we shared this common bond. So I found after wandering back to the US, that my friend had gone on another journey. Reading through all these entries, I see all the love that everyone had for Stu. He was definately a force.
I'm sorry he's gone and will miss him sorely. Hope this journey's a good one!
Ralph Ticknor
October 13, 2008
His glasses are now back in fashion. He was welcomed along with his buddy Hugh at 'Smokey Oak'. (Wisc.) They were on a road trip. We were building a solar house. They elevated the project with an incessant chatter about Cheetos and red pop, and 'Joe Blow'. Nothing ordinary about this man. Let's all strive to meet his standards.
Janice Buller
September 8, 2008
Scott and Janice Buller were friends of Stuarts. We rode bicycles with him and enjoyed his company at parties after bike rides. My Son, Scott Kuhar worked with Stuart at Staufs and contacted me to tell me of his passing. We are very sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful person, and will never forget him.
Julianne Powers
May 11, 2008
Stuart, you are missed. Life goes on and the days are filled with busy events, but there is a hole in the weekly events which used to include a cup of coffee shared with you while you told one of your stories.
Watching Jeopardy is just not the same without you.
I keep finding pennies that I am sure you have left for me, it's a weird thing.
I finally had the strength to view Winslow Homer's "Northeaster" on-line, it is a beautiful, sad painting.
To Stuart's family, I send my deepest condolences. Thanks so much for this web-site.
Betsy Strautz
April 26, 2008
Everyone has shared so many wonderful memories of Stuart's multi-faceted personality and life, both in this guest book and at his service in Columbus. We see Stuart the adventurer, the athlete, the prankster, the entertainer, and the friend to so many. These are wonderful memories and I certainly had my share of adventures with Stuart, but I also remember his absolute kindness, gentleness, and generosity. I loved camping with him because I always felt absolutely safe with him. You knew he would be there at night to protect you from the rabid raccoons and other odd noises you would hear all night. He was just so darn strong. He would keep the fire going, lead night hikes, and would stay up all night talking, if that is what you wanted to do. He was the consumate gentleman and he always made me feel so special.
My deepest condonences go out to Stuart's family. I know I love him and miss him, but I can't imagine your loss. Just know that there are many of us out here grieving too, so perhaps this can help in some way to lessen your burden. He will always remain in all of our hearts.
E. P.
April 15, 2008
This is Stuart’s banana pancake recipe, in the same words he wrote back when he had those pancake parties in the early 1990s. This was the recipe he liked to use for July 4th mornings.
Petey’s Pancakes
2 ½ c. Bisquick or Aunt J.
½ c. wheat germ
½ c. rice flour (I used soy)
½ c. Wheatina hot cereal, uncooked
1/4 c. poppy or sesame seeds
½ t. ginger
to taste: cinnamon , lemon peel, orange peel
2 tsp. vanilla
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3 eggs
1 c. plain yogurt
½ to 1 ½ c. milk
Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then blend. Add milk. (I mixed the batter the night before and added more milk in the a.m.) Batter thickens and produces thick pancakes. Drop 1/4 cup onto 325-350 degree griddle. Cook until one side bubbles, then flip. Easily frozen for microwaving.
Batter can be made the night before.
To add blueberries, sprinkle berries on top of pancakes after pouring batter onto the pan (avoids the soggy spot in the dough).
Syrup: add 1-2 drops lemon oil or extract.
E. Patnoe
April 15, 2008
To all of Stuart’s family members and friends, my deepest, deepest condolences.
Stuart touched so many lives, including mine. I met him when he was a lead kook in a group of friends who were first joined by their escapades at Geneva Hills and who later participated in an ongoing, years-long Find-the-Spam game. Stuart delighted in this game, in which grown men took turns surreptitiously finding and then re-hiding one can of Spam in each others’ dwellings. For years. The same can. I can’t remember from where that honored “can o’ Spam” originated, but I vividly remember Stuart’s glee–both exuberant and subdued–in the game, in his friends and co-Spammers, and in the bond that Find-the-Spam symbolized.
Stuart’s fun with “Spamalot” was just one way in which he showed his loyalty to friends, his love of sharing friends, his ability to make fun out of not only the commonplace, but the downright seemingly useless. He could make anything fun. And he did it with his classic demeanor of gleeful restraint. I think one of Stuart’s greatest joys was giving–his energy, his things, anything to make someone feel happy and special. During a difficult time in my life, he suddenly insisted we go to Red, White, and Boom. He had obtained passes into one of Columbus’s sky-scrapers. He dragged me out of my funk, and we hiked downtown, through the crowds, having fun with the glow-bands and the kids. We sat alone on about the 30th story and watched the fireworks, quietly at times, roaring and clapping at others, and at others, talking very seriously and philosophically about life. While we were alone among the clouds, Stuart told me a series of stories about his past struggles. He closed the set with, “All this to say, it passed for me. It will pass for you. Now, wanna head back into the madding crowd?” The next morning, Stuart hosted his annual July 4th banana pancake breakfast. Everyone was welcome to his annual soiree, and Stuart fed people until they were stuffed. (I will include his recipe in a separate entry.)
Stuart shared his people, his enthusiasm, his things, and his energy with such generosity. Once, long after everyone else had stopped partying and gone home from the Geneva Hills Lodge, Stuart remained--alone and cleaning furiously from about 5 a.m. until 6:45 a.m. At about 7:00, just as he was sitting down to catch his breath before driving home, a bus pulled up. The lodge organizers had forgotten that a large group was holding an annual meeting at the lodge that Sunday morning. Stuart, without anticipating it, had saved the day with his giving efforts. As folks streamed into the lodge, Stuart greeted them with the grace of Martha Stuart, times ten.
And we all have stories about Stuart’s generosity with material gifts. I met Stuart in the late 1980s, shortly after I had first seen and loved It’s a Wonderful Life. That year, Stuart found and framed an old poster advertising the movie, inscribed the back of the frame, and gave it as one of the countless gifts he gave everyone. Like he did for so many others, Stuart insisted on paying for my coffee and for our meals when we went out. I could argue until I was blue, but to no avail. During one stop at Stauff’s, I told Stuart I was heading out to antique shop, in search of a soda-bottle storage box, an old, wooden one with several compartments. I said I hated shopping, hadn’t seen one of those bottle boxes in years, but that I really wanted to find one to use as a spice rack. Stuart said with a burst of enthusiasm, “Hey, can you wait about 30 minutes?! I have one of those at home! We can go over after I get out of work, and it’s yours!” Of course, he refused any compensation for that antique box. That was in about 1991, and Stuart’s box, with “Frank’s Quality Beverage” scripted on the side, sits above the oven, packed with spice bottles, regularly eliciting compliments–and a wonderful story about Stuart.
But one of my favorite stories about Stuart–no surprise–is a bike story. Years ago, when Stuart heard my sister had given me an old Schwinn comfort bike, he came straight away to see this yard-sale gem. He raved about its old age, its color, its Chicago Schwinn brand plate, its rear baskets, and its wide tires. Then, with a wrinkled forehead, a lowered voice, and a very somber face, he said, “There’s only one thing missing.” He slowly pulled something out of his pocket and clutched it in his palm, out of sight. He ceremoniously bent over, unscrewed my black valve caps, and screwed on two shiny, colorful, new caps: one a bust of Popeye, the other a bust of Scooby-Doo. Popeye and Scooby still draw smiles from anyone who sees them. That old Schwinn is now stored alongside my new Schwinn, a road bike with petulant Presa valves. How great it would be if Stuart could be here to decorate those. . . .
I am so grateful for having known Stuart, for having loving memories and reminders of him. But it is stunning and heartbreaking to me that he is no longer here to be his wonderful self for the scores of people he befriended and loved, the many who loved him. Stuart lived his life in a way that reminds us that love and friends are for sharing and that we do well to find as much joy as possible in this small world and short life of ours. Thank you, Stuart, for touching my life and for letting me be one small part of yours. What a wonderful way you had. And the wheat germ banana pancakes tomorrow are for your family and you.
E. Patnoe
Columbus, Ohio
Mark Hyman
April 11, 2008
I remember Stuart.
He had Mrs. Cat on his lap and laughed out load at something he was reading. She smacked him hard on the nose with her claws out. Didn't like laughter for some reason.
I was telling Stuart about some changes to a atom smasher I was reading about at Stanford University. It was being fitted with stronger magnets so it could fire electrons. Stuart changed the subject by saying that if they got results he was sure they would be "Lepton."
Stuart picking me up out of the blue and taking me to dinner and not letting me pay. More than a few times.
Stuart telling elaborate interesting stories about nothing and making things entertaining when they should have been boring.
Stuart calling Como bicycle when they moved to a new location in an old Ace hardware shop and asking if "this is Como Bike and weedwaker". When they would explain he would listen and ask if they could fix his weedwaker. He did this many times until they caught on and I think they started answering the phone as Como bike and weedwacker when they thought it might be Stuart calling.
Wrecking Stuart's bicycle. An original Schwinn Paramount and having him repeatedly decline compensation. When it was finally forced on him he took it with the stipulation that as his brother was getting married it would be spent on him "in the flesh pots of the west."
Watching Stewart setting up some elaborate joke or prank only he would think was funny or understand. He was good at getting people presents they would like but never get for themselves. Once he came to my machine shop with bunch of bike parts to be anodized different colors for different customers at the bike shop and I realized he was paying for this himself because he wanted to please someone he barely knew.
Mark
* * *
Ben Roby
April 11, 2008
Many times since I have learned of Stuart's passing I have found myself giggling, laughing, and then crying. Needless to say it has been an emotional time. I can honestly say that hardly a week has passed since high school that I haven't thought of Stuart in one form or another.
My first recollection of Stu was when we were around 10 years old. He and I played Little League in Plain City. At the end of each ball season all players were taken by our coaches to then Jet Stadium (now Clipper Stadium) and watch the Columbus Jets play ball. Stuart, some others and myself got to ride together in Coach Armentrout's station wagon. We sat in the back and I just remember this kid who kept telling jokes and making me laugh seemingly nonstop. I remember tellilng my parents about him and how he cracked me up.
We reconnected in high school starting with band camp. He and I would end up watching evening movies in the auditorium and making fun of the cafeteria food. We would bounce the dinner rolls off the wall, only they didn't bounce. Stuart found a bike to ride and promptly ran into the corner of the girl's hotel porch. It just so happened to also be the day for Fancy Footwork competition. We all had to go down on the field, hot and sweaty, to practice for the competition. Not Stuart. As we were going down to the field he went by in an air conditioned station wagon laying in the back with a cigar in Groucho Marx fashion hollaring to us," so long suckers!" He didn't even have to participate in the competition that night. Stuart got his comupance when the girls decided to make a chocolate cake and share it with the guys. Stuart was coming up the hill and told me to get down there and get some cake. It was so good he had two pieces he said. I got there and it was gone. Unbeknownst to us Ex-Lax was added to the recipe. I don't need to tell you where Stu spent the rest of the day.
One day during our sophmore year our English teacher, Miss Freeman,
held up a picture of a soaring bird and asked us to write a poem about it. She read our poems the next day. Most of them were of the 'my oh my, I can fly up so high' ilk. She got to Stuart's, read it, and our class had a collective jaw-dropping. It was titled 'Dawn' and it was incredible. I found out later by accident while reading Life Magazine, that Miss Freeman had submitted it and it was published in the magazine's Young Writers of Merit collection. I mentioned it later to him and all he said was "yeah, kind of neat, huh?"
The Plain City area church youth groups got together occassionally to eat and have some fun. Once, when we were getting together in a circle to ask the blessing before we ate, Stu said "I've got something to say, Fred Yoder wears support hose!" It took us ten minutes to regain our composure and say grace.
Stu seemed to get detention fairly frequently in Mr. Banyots science class. It got to the point where if I wanted to see him at noon, I would go see him in detention. We made a habit of this (except during ping-pong intramurals) most of our high school life. Even if he didn't have detention we would meet there and 'touch base'. We took turns bringing the donuts. One day he sneezed while eating a white powdered sugar donut. Without missing a beat, he got down on one knee and sang 'Mammy, how I love ya, how I love ya, my dear old Mammy." It was the only time I saw Mr. Banyots laugh so hard he cried.
Stu went with a group of us to Explo 72. A gathering of 100,000 plus Christian believers who converged on Dallas Texas. I was privileged to sit by him when he gave his heart to the Lord in the Cotton Bowl.
When Stuart started working on staff at Geneva Hills, I visited him a few times. It truly was his home away from home. We would talk, play trumpet and trombone together, and laugh watching Saturday Night Live or Monty Python. And listen to his beloved 'Firesign Theater' albums. Once when going into the restrooms he said, "There is only one man in the world who knows what he's doing, and he is in the second stall down." He turned to me laughing and said, "I've got the second stall, do you know what you're doing?"
Stu and I didn't see much of each other after the late 70's. He came to my wedding in 1991. When I saw him my heart literally skipped a beat. I spoke with him afterwards. He had just gotten back from Desert Storm and apologized for not having a gift for me. He handed me his pocket knife he carried when he was over there. I still have it. That was the last time I saw him.
Stuart, Superstu, Mr. Bo Jangles, Tootie, or however we knew him, has left an incredible legacy. His legacy does not include many 'things', but is full of relationships and experiences. I will miss you tremendously Stu, but you have given me a lifetime of wonderful memories and laughs. I'll see you in heaven buddy.
Hugh Crowell
April 7, 2008
I want to post this transcript of the last voice mail I got from Stuart on February 22, 2008. In written form it seems more dramatic than it sounded, because of course Stuart delivered it in his joking way. [A little background - he had jokingly been asking/begging me to send him cakes for more than a year, and I finally sent him a small cake in early February.]
Here it is...
'Well, I’m calling to report that the uh cake is all gone. I would have kept it longer but they recommended I eat it before the end of February so I was forced to uh cut it up into bigger and bigger chunks and eat it, so ah…I guess that part of our lives is over.
I don’t know what else to ask you for. Was I asking you or begging you or harrying you for a cake? I like to think I was reminding of you of that… I was gonna start, like, asking you for something a little harder to get like Einsteinian super-cooled liquids with special properties, but I felt constrained to ask you for something you might reasonably get me. I assumed that as a scientist you could get anything you wanted like that..uh…
So, uh, always go where your heart leads you. Follow your heart, Hugh. That’s what I hope you’ve always done. And you’re beautiful, man, and I love you, and you know, just stay the way you are, and don’t go changing.
OoooK, bye.'
Rachel Cain
April 7, 2008
Love is somthing we describe as everlasting. My uncle stuart is the same. Everlasting. Like love it may not be something you can see or touch but it is something you feel. I know is that Uncle Stuart is still with us. All you have to do is let him touch you. He will still be there for all of us. I know he wouoldnt miss it for the world.
I receently was walking home from school, the same route that i have taken many times before. Only this time i noticed something different. Everythiing around me was a tecnicolor of beauty. the leaves if the trees seemed brighter and all things seemed heightened and more lovely. I realized that this is how my uncle sees nature, instead of just looking at something he was able to see behind the exterior and see the true beauty behind something so simple. This is the greatest gift and lesson he has ever given me. Thank you. I love you.
l
April 7, 2008
i never knew my uncle as anything other than one of the greatest people i have ever had to honnor to meet. All i know is that i love him and whereever he is i know he is nothing less than happy because thatt is what he deserved.
i will remember you with only happines and i will carry on your story through the outdoors you love so much, i love you
Tammi Hill
April 4, 2008
It has been years since the last time I saw Stuart, but whenever his name was mentioned, immediately my heart would light up, a smile would come across my face and thoughts encompassed my mind of the many memories I have of him and the influence he left on me.
When I was a young child, my mother had been hospitalized and my sisters and I stayed with Stuart's family. Although we were cousins, I can remember feeling sad, scared and apprehensive about staying with them. But within days, it was Stuart who eased my fears with his jollity spirit. His tricks, jokes and care-free adventurous ways were actually an inspiration to me. He made me realize, no matter what the circumstance, you could make the best of any situation. He made me laugh and forget my worries and fears for the moment. He made that little bit of time we spent with his family a wonderful experience that my sisters and I still talk about to this day.
I loved my cousin for his influence he gave me. I love to laugh and have fun thanks to Stuart. I am adventurous like my cousin and would often think of him when I found myself exploring new territory. What a wonderful gift my cousin was to me.
When I heard of his passing, I was shocked and saddened, then I visioned Stuart and Aunt Wila seeing each other again and the joy and happiness they are having and I found myself at peace.
Yes, I will miss you my dear cousin, but a part of you will forever be in me and I am grateful for that.
Take heart Uncle Gerald, Beverly, Steven, Cynthia, Cathy, Jessica and Joy...God IS in control and we will all see Aunt Wila and Stuart again. I love you all and my prayers are with you.
Steven Depp
April 3, 2008
Having a younger brother is a pain at times. Like when he intentionally provokes a fight and then runs to you for protection. Or when you want to wear a special shirt only to find that he already has it on. Then there are the times when you would not know what to do if you did not have a brother to share those special moments with, such as the best man at your wedding (even if we didn't know the meaning of “basic black”).
Stuart and I shared a basic childhood, with the normal bickering that two boys have. We shared the same toys, clothes, interests in sports, television programs and the warmth of family and friends. We both could have done better in school, but we always had better things to do than study (which was a constant source of irritation to our mother). We took divergent paths in our adult lives, but in the end, we were both successful in our own ways.
One of our sisters asked me to speak at the memorial service held in Ohio. I thought long and hard of what I could say that would encompass the years that we had spent together and apart. The only thing I could think of was, when it came time to plan my wedding, the only person that I wanted as my best man, was my brother. I insisted that he be a part of that special day. The years we had spent apart meant nothing. Of all the people that have been a part of my life, his presence meant the most. I spoke of it at the service and somehow, it didn't seem like it was enough.
After the service, one of Stuart's friends asked the question “How would you describe your brother?” It took a few moments, but then it came to me; Stuart was a weed. Not just any weed, but a beautiful, all encompassing plant that would find a way to enter your life and enhance every experience you had from that moment forward and in some cases, make you reflect on a past experience. A weed that you could not escape, not that you would want to, for Stuart had way of looking at life that was different from our own. A weed, that thrived in many different soils and environments. A weed that took on a life of its own, even after the main plant had been transplanted to a new location. A weed that made you take stock of the normal or mundane trappings of life and find the joy and beauty in each and every experienc
Even with his death, Stuart is making us look at the way we have spent our lives. In reality, we will never be without him. With every cyclist that whizzes by us at breakneck speed; every backpacker that passes us on the trail; every steadfast friend that comes to our aid without expecting anything in return, Stuart will be with us. Every time we hear a certain song, we have an especially good cup of coffee, we feel the warmth of a campfire on a cool night, or we see a person in uniform standing straight and tall, Stuart will be with us.
I cannot regain the time that was spent apart from Stuart, but I can remember with great fondness and joy the times that we spent together and remember that he never said good-bye, only so long.
So long, my brother. I will see you around the next bend in the trail.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all my co-workers at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles for their expressions of condolence and support during my absence. To the friends that attended the memorial services in Albuquerque, Columbus or Oakland, your love and support have been a source of great comfort to me and my family. To all the friends and family that have taken the time to share there stories of times spent with Stuart, I thank you. I have read and enjoyed each and every memory shared. With every entry, I have come to realize what an amazing person my brother was and how many lives he touched.
Cynthia Depp Cain
April 1, 2008
Never, ever imagined this experience, Stuart was indestructible. I expected to grow old along with him. He was someone I took for granted; I continued to learn from him and to lean on him. Stuart would always be there for me to laugh, cry, and disagree with, to be mad at. We should have been able to continue to abuse each other for a much longer time than this.
I called him not so long ago and whined that my backpack was too heavy at 48 lbs and how could I lighten the load...big, seriously massive mistake. I was told this was nothing, carry on, suck it up etc... I was properly chastised so of course my back still hurts, but I am not the man he was.
To honor Stuart, there have been far flung gatherings -- first, in New Mexico, another incredible one at home in Ohio (thanks to Joyce and Jessica).
If you are in Oakland, California, on April 6 please allow us to invite you to join Cathy Ann and me -- (3 pm to 6 pm, 3733 Victor Avenue, Oakland, 510.530.6540, [email protected]) -- if not then, some other time, you are welcome.
Johnnie and Meg Wood
March 30, 2008
Meg and I were in Florida visiting Matt and his wife Megan when we got the news. We were very saddened and surprised knowing the many things Stuart has accomplished and experienced. I have fond memories of playing football, venturing down to the creek with Stuart, Mark, Greg, and Karl Dean. Not to mention Stuart and me hodding morter and toting brick for Gerald and Warren on some of those hot summer days many years ago. Stuart will always be remembered fondly. May heaven give you all the blessings you deserve cousin Stu and I am sure they will be many.
MacKenzie
March 30, 2008
He is not DEAD, he is just AWAY.
Jen Brown
March 29, 2008
Hayrides
Teaching me to drive the tractor
Birthday dinners
Cereal
Storytelling
Jokes that only HE understood
Jokes that he let us in on
The Adirondaks
Swift River, Yukon Territory
That look (you all know the one)
Music (Gregorian chants?)
Dancing
Buying a truck
5-egg cakes
Morning Thunder
The proper use of wire snips
Laminated Monopoly w/Hot Wheels
Rootbeer Floats
Saving me
Sassafrass Rootbeer
Losing at Pente
Winning at Pente (once!)
Losing at Checkers (he was unbeatable)
Gassing Copperheads (more humane)
Lifeguarding
Buckets O' Bluegills
Canoeing
Pulling down the tree at Beidler's
Building the Sun House
Figlio's
A case of Ramen
A booster chair for Samantha
Figlio's
Letters from Alaska
Letters to Alaska
Desert Storm
Spam
Figlio's
Moving the Cross
Teaching me to run a chainsaw
Fighting for his room
Stauf's
New Year's Parties at GH
Stolen (borrowed?) gasoline
Figlio's (yeah, it was great food!)
KP (he made dishwashing FUN)
Hiking boots (still got 'em)
That's a small portion of the things that stand out in my mind when I think of Stuart Vincent Depp.
I had this notion that Stuart would always be there no matter what the distance of time and space. I didn't expect our friendship to end. I didn't expect it to end this soon. So, today was good. It was good to touch the people again that Stuart touched. It was good to meet the family and friends that I knew were there but had never met. It was good to know there were others that loved him so deeply. It was good to laugh and cry with friends and family.
To Stuart's family: Thank you for allowing me to join you today to remember my friend, Stuart.
To Stuart: I miss you.
Seth Crowell
March 29, 2008
Stuart,
I have always loved you, your sense of humor and how you would always give me and my family wonderful gifts (like the cowboy hat). You were a wonderful man who was very carring of others and you never ever were mean spirited. You were a dear friend to me and I will miss you and I just want to say that I will be thinking of you always and you'll always be a treasured friend. So, one last thing I have say as you ride into the sunset is:
"So long Staurt, ride 'em cowboy"
I will miss you and love you always
You will be in my thoughts
My Dear Friend
Stuart
Love,
Seth
Patty Bellucci-Wagner
March 29, 2008
I worked side by side with Stuart at Stauff's in the early 90's. He made work so much fun. Nobody will ever tell a side splitting story with the same style. I miss the pancake breakfasts and everything about Stuart. What a role model for us all.Goodbye.
Kirk Albers
March 27, 2008
Stuart was the type of person we all should strive to be, the type of person we all *want* to be, his passion and compassion were second to none.
Stuart was not just one of the best, he was
*the best*.
Gary White
March 27, 2008
Stuart,
We're Soldiers....we don't say goodbye, we simply say "see you later" because we know we will. Thanks for your dedication to the Military Funeral Honors program, and to being a good Soldier in general. I never worked with a better one. I'll see you at our next assignment in Heaven.
Dave Stenner
March 26, 2008
To all the Depp family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Stuarts death. It has been many years since I have had the pleasure of being with Stuart but will always remember the time in Germany when we were riding in the PX parking lot and almost ran over Stuart riding his bike. Two Plain City fellows in the same spot was nothing short of amazing.
He and my brother Tim were good friends and spent many an hour playing chess, eating pizza and enjoying each others company. We all will miss his wit, enthusiasm and joie de vie.
Dwight McCabe
March 26, 2008
It is far too challenging to celebrate all things Stuart in a forum such as this. You necessarily must have been face to face to appropriately understand the distinctive aura and pervasive quality of character that always rode along with him.
In a futile attempt to unearth just the right words to express the vivid and compelling memories of the many unique moments spent in his company, admittedly it was necessary to seek council within the ubiquitous Thesaurus. So many words cascaded across the screen which captured snippets of his joyful nature; facetious, amusing, blithe, capering, clever, comic, comical, droll, dry, fanciful, farcical, flippant, frivolous, funny, humorous, indecorous, ironic, irreverent, jesting, jocose, jocular, joking, joshing, laughable, ludicrous, merry, not serious, playful, pleasant, punning, ridiculous, salty, sarcastic, satirical, smart, sportive, sprightly, tongue-in-cheek, waggish, whimsical, wisecracking, witty, wry……
And as if reflecting the complexities of his mind, heart and spirit, the antonyms which appeared beneath those words equally began to capture the opposing breath of virtues he possessed; deep, earnest, exacting, forbidding, formal, grave, hard, inexorable, insightful, rigorous, serious, sober, solemn, somber……
A man, entwined with the complexities and rhythms of nature itself….he lives on within the many who have been positively impacted by having shared even a few treasured moments with him.
Stuart, respecting your perpetuation of the tradition of verbally conveying stories from generations past, the tale of Little Rabbit Fu-Fu will be passed with zeal to my own offspring!
And with Stuart having been a consummate fan of the arts, music and film, a most appropriate epitaph comes to mind from a line in the film “Serendipity”.
“The Greeks did not write obituaries, they only asked the question after one died: “Did he have passion?””
In the most serendipitous of lives, Stuart you truly are the embodiment of passion.
Looking forward to seeing you again. Pitch a tent for all of us if you please.
Joe Holmes
March 25, 2008
I met Stuart when I started working as a bike messenger for EZ-Delivery when I was attending Ohio State. A few years later when I was in a jam, Stuart offered to let me live with him for a few months while I got myself sorted out.
Stuart was one of the wisest, kindest, most even-keeled individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He could spin a yarn like no one I have ever met and his delivery telling a joke was spot on. We turned each other on to all kinds of music, books and movies (usually of the off the beaten path variety). He turned me on to what a really good espresso tasted like and how to best use a French press during his time at Stauf's Coffee Roasters while I showed him how to pour a glass of wine with a final twist of the wrist so as to not lose a drop.
The one thing that Stuart was really into was bikes. He loved them and the more classic and retro they were the better. He and I used to spend more time than I care to admit talking about the superiority of Campagnolo Super Record over everything else.
We both moved West around the same time, he to New Mexico and I to California. I made it a point to stay in touch with him. Sometimes it would be 5 or 6 months in between our chats but when they happened they were good ones, usually filled with a lot of laughter too. In 2002 I traveled with the team I was managing to Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico and Stuart made the big drive down to have dinner with me and then drove home. He spent 5+ hours in a car to have dinner with an old friend. That was the kind of guy Stuart was.
In the 17 years that I knew Stuart, I never heard anyone say a negative thing about him. Ever. Not a single negative thing. Think about that.
So I say to Stuart, I will miss our phone calls every five or six months to catch up. I will miss you calling me one of the Rodriguez brothers. I will miss the occasional email from you. I will miss your stories about the latest crop of rookies that came through to do their "Army Training Sir".
Most of all though, I will miss you.
Here is hoping that you are finally as bike fit as you always wanted to be, that all your Campy and Snap-On tools are exactly where they should be, that all your Dylan CD's sound like Bob was playing in the same room, that your crema is always perfect and that you are at peace and one with the world.
Stuart, aka Zeek the Friendly Pirate and Petey the Marmot, Good bye.
I already miss you very, very much.
The Dillon Family Lori, Thomas, Chloe & Eva
March 25, 2008
There is only one Stuart and he will always be one of my favorite people. He meant so much to me, my husband and my two daughters that I can’t even begin to express it.
When my daughter, Chloe, was an infant Stuart was her babysitter. I used to take her to work with me at Staufs and Stuart would come visit her on his lunch break. More than once he was discovered outside of Staufs sitting on the bench with Chloe on his chest – both of them sleeping peacefully, mouths hanging open, drooling, completely oblivious to the world around them.
My youngest daughter, Eva, talked to Stuart many times on the phone but had never met him in person. When he came to visit us in July 2006 he won her over instantly- not an easy task as she is about as hard headed as Stuart. The girls followed him around the entire time he stayed with us. They fought over whose turn it was to sit next to him or have him read them a story and Stuart loved every second of it.
When Stuart lived in Grandview he would have pancake breakfasts that would last well into the afternoon and often result in various people sprawled out on his front lawn lost in a carb coma. Stuart made some of the best pancakes in the world and if anyone knows his recipe please contact me.
Those who knew Stuart know how generous he was- and how hard it was to get him to accept any kind of gift or help in return. I think that friendship & considering him part of our family were the only things we could offer him that he wouldn’t grumble about or refuse to accept.
Stuart would never end a phone conversation with “Good bye.” It was always “So long.”
So Stuart, thanks for everything- the pancakes, the vodka, the stories (“wet, soapy & almost impossible to catch”), canoeing, teaching me how to shoot a gun, nights of playing playstation, movies, karaoke, sushi, and- of course- taking care of Chloe.
We love you.
So long.
Bob Feagans
March 25, 2008
When I think of my friend Stuart, I think of what a truly good person he was. He was a person with high moral and ethical values which he lived by every single day. He was caring and compassionate and would go out of his way to help someone in need. I'll always remember sitting on our deck drinking Guinness beer, listening to one of his thousands of stories, Staufs and Starbucks coffee, cowboy hats, Wilderness Trace, backpacking trips, Ohio State football, oyster stuffing and what a good friend Stuart has been over the past 17 years.
Our New Mexico "group" of Buckeyes now has a void which is impossible to fill. Stuart has touched many lives, and I'm thankful mine was one of them. We'll miss him dearly and think of him often. May God be holding Stuart in the palm of his hand.
Mike Coleman
March 25, 2008
To the great man who made us all smile and who always had something good to say about everything and everyone. Will always remember you as the friend to all who needed one.
Jim Reist
March 25, 2008
I miss Stuart's physical presence and extend my condolences to his family and other friends. Stuart's passing hurts all of us, friends and family alike. But, while there is a time for grief, Stuart would want us to remember and focus on the good things, the fun times, which amount to the vast majority of memories we all have of Stuart.
I first met Stuart at Wilderness Trace in Columbus. He was selling me a bike. WT did not sell bikes, but what the heck. Stuart wanted to fit it for me. I thought I was in for a 15 minute fitting. I was wrong. An hour and a half later, Stuart, our mutual friend Bob, and I were riding the bike between the gear racks at the store. The bike did fit well! Stuart declared, "You look mighty fine on that bike, Jim." Which was a good thing, since passersby on Grandview Avenue were starring through the storefront window as we took turns gliding past the rack of Patagonia jackets.
I moved to New Mexico in '91, Stuart moved here a few years later. I got to know him better. I will remember him as the best story-teller I've ever met. On backpacking trips, he would bring his glove puppet Fifi, and would entertain us around the campfire with stories told with a French (sort of) accent.
Stuart was always there to help. He never declined a request for assistance. He loved reading and we would talk about books often. He loved his country, the Army, and the soldiers he worked with. And, of course, he loved a good cup of java and a variety of music.
In short, Stuart was one of the good guys and a great friend -- which is probably the best thing you can say about anyone. I'm glad and feel fortunate that I got to know him and that we became friends.
I met two of Stuart's sisters, Cynthia and Cathy, during the past week. The goodness runs in the family.
If angels ride bikes, or drink coffee, I can picture him adjusting their bikes and making sure the coffee is freshly ground and properly brewed, and telling them a great story to top it all off.
Jeffrey Burk
March 24, 2008
My thoughts are with Stuart's family at this time of loss.
I have many fond memories of Stuart. Most of them involve bikes and or food.
I wanted my first road bike ca. 1984. At the time I lived in Worthington. I found a new bike shop called Ten Speeds located up the road in Linworth so I decided to stop in. I met Stuart for the first time that day and we talked about all things bicycles. It was a big step for me to buy a fancy-schmancy bike so it required several visits. While chatting with Stuart on another visit, I noticed he was working on some bikes in the service area. I thought he was cool, I liked bikes and I just graduated from High School so maybe 10 Speeds would be a good place to get a job? I joined the Sales Crew and began a lifelong obsession with bikes.
I remember one mountain biking journey with Stuart near Geneva Hills. He had the great idea to stash our food out on the trail; according to him we'd reach it in about 5 hours. Not carrying a large quantity of food in backpacks freed us up to ride properly - and to fall properly too. After riding trails all morning we reached the hidden cache of food and ate handsomely!
Eventually I got my road bike custom-painted with red/yellow fades. Stuart nick-named it the Mc-Bike. I laughed about it ... for those that rode with Stuart you recall he owned a sweet bright pink Trek road bike! I still have a pink bike pump that Stuart sold me from 10 Speeds days.
In May ca. 1985 we got the idea to ride TOSRV (Tour Of the Scioto River Valley) which is a 2-day, 200 mile bike tour from Columbus to Portsmouth and back. A group of us went down together; the first 100 miles went by quickly and seemed pretty easy. Thanks to Stuart -- he knew a family in Portsmouth that fed us pancakes when we woke up ... we were all so incredibly sore that morning ... and we had to ride 100 miles home.
Later on when I was in college I needed a bike I could ride over curbs on the OSU campus and not worry about a bent rim. Stuart built me a bike from the ground up using a discarded steel frame. It was a fantastic bike that lasted me throughout architecture school.
Stuart got a job at Wilderness Trace in Grandview. I got a job next door at a coffee shop. Later on Stuart moved to Grandview and it was great to have him in the 'hood. Eventually he got a job at the coffee shop too!
Sometimes Stuart would invite a group of friends over for huge breakfast feasts. He made great pancakes with tasty additions like pecans and blueberries thrown in. I remember him saying the first pancake was for the squirrels (the first one never cooks right). Petey the Marmot was always kind to his brethren! Today my family and I enjoy pancake breakfasts with friends - I like to think we got the idea from Stuart.
He had a big heart and a kind soul. This is sad news. We'll miss you Stuart.
HOO___
March 24, 2008
Stuart - So many will miss you that I feel small in all of it. You altered my life in strange and wonderful ways. I saw you laughing in the trees on Sunday. I think you have found the ulitmate high in leaving behind your broken body and riding off into the sky. It always was a like you to be a bit dramatic! I'll catch up with you later, when it's my time. Keep the coffee on, the beans hot, and the checkerboard ready. I will love you always.
Joan Tallan
March 24, 2008
Dear Jessica,
I am so sorry to read of your loss. The obituary describes a dynamic adventurous person, who loved life and the world of nature around him. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Belinda Bowling
March 24, 2008
I consider Stuart’s friendship to be one of the greatest gifts of my life. I feel so privileged that he resided here in New Mexico among us, where he would bestow his keen wit, vast wisdom and excessive kindness upon us. I’ve had the pleasure of keeping him as one of my best and closest friends for 20 years now. His presence was such that he left an indelible impression on everyone that he met. Stuart’s passing leaves a huge void in the lives of everyone that knew him and loved him. He is absolutely irreplaceable. It is impossible for someone that had not had met him, to comprehend what a unique, loveable and giving person he was. To know him was truly an experience unlike any other! Stuart, you will live on in my heart and in the hearts of those that also loved you. I know that your spirit soars! To his family and his friends, I offer my condolences. Love, Belinda
Danielle & Kurt Clarke
March 24, 2008
To our friend Jessica and her family,
We are so very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, Stuart. We are saddened that we never knew such an interesting, energetic man. We are thinking of you all at this heart-breaking time.
Your friends,
Tad Johns
March 24, 2008
To the Depp family,
My deepest condolenses to you all at this time. It saddens me to learn of his passing.
I wish I had known the adult Stuart better but our lives took different directions as schoolmates often do. I am very proud as I read of his life's accomplishments today.
I can tell you that our school days together left an everlasting impression with me.
I always envisioned myself as a person with a very good sense of humor, and still do. Stuart had a GREAT sense of humor that was never mean-spirited. For me, he set the standard for wit with anyone else I ever met, and none could approach his great dry wit and the timing with which it was delivered.
Many people never picked up on the brilliance of some of his humor (or lacked the intelligence to), and I laughed with him more times than I can remember at someone who was completely dumbfounded at a funny comment that Stuart made during a conversation.
As an example: It was especially hilarious the way he could toss out a quip without ever looking right at the person to whom it was directed, and then wait patiently to see if they caught on to it. All the while that remarkable mischevious grin would develop as he peeped at the targeted person out of the corner of his eye. Cracked me up!! If they walked away without catching on - and they often did - it was even funnier!
Boy, even after all these years, I am laughing again as I recall those moments!! What an absolutely wonderful person to have as a chidhood and school friend...Thanks for the memories Stu !!
Judith Steele
March 24, 2008
Jessica and family,
My sympathies, I'm sorry to learn your brother has passed on. It sounds like he was a dynamic individual.
Judith Steele
Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative
Andy and Leanne Weeks
March 23, 2008
Dear Gerald and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep all of you in our prayers and miss seeing you.
One of my memories is Stuart and Tim Stenner playing "spit around the world" at church camp.
Rod Anderson
March 23, 2008
To Steve, Beverly and the rest of the family -- I was shocked and saddened to hear the news. It has been years since I last saw him but I remember Stuart for his optimism and jovial nature. My sympathies and prayers go out to you.
Bill Inglis
March 23, 2008
What I remember most about Stuart is the smile he had when he was outdoors, doing what he loved, and sharing it with others. He was a much better rider than I so we didn't ride together for long (can you say "dropped in the dust?"), but he was always helpful, encouraging, and just plane nice. I'm sorry he's gone and wish for his family and friends strength during this difficult experience.
Stephanie Doggett
March 23, 2008
I last spoke with Stuart 3-4 weeks ago...doing a typical Stuart-like thing--instead of driving back to his home after work @ night, he stopped by his Army office, found a can of baked beans in his desk drawer to eat for supper and planned on clearing his desk on which he would sleep for the night. I'm sure this does not raise anyone's eyebrow as nothing HE did could be considered "abnormal"! Stuart was my dear, dear friend and I am now missing a very important part of my life. Stuart, I am so, so sorry. I will miss you terribly.
If any of Stuart's family reads this, I would like very much if you could please contact me...I kept in very close contact with him and would like to discuss some things we spoke about. I also have some questions to ask---but ONLY if you feel it necessarry. I do not want to be intrusive by any means. My phone #312-391-5800.
Mark Thompson
March 23, 2008
Stuart had monolithic status to me when I was child. I first learned of him when I was in 2nd grade and he was in the same room as my brother Bryan, Mrs. Cooke’s 4th grade class at Plain City elementary school.
Bryan would come home and tell stories of things Stuart said, always “said’ not “did” which were the funniest things I could NEVER have thought of. I wanted to say things that funny.
It was 1963, at the height of the Civil Rights movement kids too were taking sides, I assume mimicking their parents , and as Bryan tells it (well as I remember him telling it) a group of boys on the play ground decided to threaten Stuart. They approached Bryan and Stuart with the expected taunts. Stuart turned his head toward Bryan, raised his eyebrows and said “This calls for a hasty retreat”.
I have thought about that now for the last 45 years. What a brilliant statement. It was not defeat, it was not submission it was a tactical maneuver in an on going conflict. It was also what his comedic character was all about, pathos, perseverance and mostly timing; and a 9 year old kid said it.
I learned to know him as a perfectly formed comedic talent. He had it all a subtext of angst, timing, wit, intelligence and compassion. He would tell stories that were as perfectly formed in a verbal sense as humorist writing short stories could do.
In our early years of high school I think I looked forward to band camp more than Stuart, and I was not in band and never went to camp, because before band camp we heard the stories of the events of previous years and afterwards we got the stories of what went on that year. (He pre-dated American Pie and the “last summer at band camp” stories by 3 decades).
Once at camp he wrecked his bike and was knocked unconscious. He said he lay there and the heavens opened up and an angel descended. He was moving toward the light and the angel, being taken to his heavenly reward, so he thought. When he regained a little more of his bearings the angel turned out to be some classmate with braces, and acne who was chewing gum inches from his face saying “Ya all right?”
When we were in high school the song “Bojangles” was a current hit. Stuart had business cards printed up. (Now this was NOT in the day of desktop printing. It did require a little work to get this done). They, as I remember, were in red ink and said “Stuart “Bojangles” Depp” on the first line with “Dancing for all Occasions” on the second line followed the usual address and phone number.
The fact that he could not or did not dance and chose to pass these out at school, even to teachers, was just brilliant and really funny. One teacher said to me “I never knew Stuart was a dancer”. I said “He isn’t” and broke up laughing.
He always had a cooler bike than me, and always beat me a checkers. It was not a one sided exchange. Hanging out with him I did get a chance to study how he formed stories and to practice my delivery. It was not as if either of us were planning careers in comedy or humor writing. I know I just wanted to know how to tell a story well and hold my own with others who did the same.
It was all about processing any event in my life, terrible or not into a humorous story that did not make heroes or villains of the characters but turned the humorous side to the listener and by this give them a more complete understanding of the event and people. Stuart had this ability by instinct.
If I were a dancer I would “grab my pants for a better stance and jump so high and click my heels.” as a salute to him. I am not a dancer but not dancing never stopped Stuart from being one… maybe I just need some business cards.
Emily Kauffman
March 23, 2008
Stuart Depp was perhaps one of the most genuine, generous and unique persons that I have had the privilege to meet.
I remember him fondly acquainting me to the rituals of being a top notch barrista and knowledgeable coffee guru at Stauf's. Our friendship quickly blossomed as we shared a love of cycling (as I had recently returned from a cross country trek) and the outdoors. Whether it be canoeing down the tire filled Hocking, picking out a Christmas tree, checking out a late night indie movie, getting some grub or just generally hanging out...Stuart was one that could be relied on, optimistic at all costs and a fearless and dependable friend. His work ethic continues to inspire me! He will be sorely missed and his spirit for adventure will continue to inspire me. Go in peace, Petey the Marmot!!
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