Stanley Kangas

1937 - 2026

Stanley Kangas
04/05/1937 - 02/08/2026
Stanley Albert Kangas, of San Carlos, CA peacefully passed on Sunday, February 8th, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. He was a kind, intelligent, community-minded man who had a knack for making people feel seen and appreciated and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Born in Aberdeen, WA on April 5th, 1937 to Elve and Aster Kangas, Stan was always a hard worker. He worked several jobs throughout his teenage years and was the Valedictorian of his high school class. He always had a fascination with design and infrastructure, inspiring him to attend Stanford University on a civil engineering scholarship. Upon graduation he joined Lawrence G. Brian and Company, a small engineering firm in Redwood City, CA that later became Brian Kangas Foulk (BKF). After serving as the firm's President for 20 years and seeing it grow to 200 employees, Stan became Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 1996. Additionally, Stan served as President, Chairman, or Director of several state and local engineering associations. Stan was also a pillar of the local community, heavily involved with several civic and charitable organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, and the San Carlos Youth Center.
However, Stan's greatest accomplishment was his dedication to his family. Stan welcomed his daughter Patricia in 1961 with his first wife Carole. He was a devoted father who coached Patty's Bobby Sox softball teams and was instrumental in developing the Bobby Sox program in San Carlos. Despite his demanding work schedule, Stan never missed a single one of Patty's high school pitching performances. In 1982 he met his wife Teresa at San Francisco's Olympic Club while playing in a charity golf tournament. They spent 36 years together playing golf at their second home in Palm Desert, CA and Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae, CA. They also loved traveling the world together, including trips to the South Pacific, South America, and all over Europe. Stan's most memorable trip was his and Teresa's trip to Finland where they were welcomed with open arms by Stan's extended family.
Stan was a lover of life and loved experiencing it with others. He was a Bay Area sports fan and athlete who watched every 49ers game and a music lover, often reminiscing about the time he saw a then-unknown Joan Baez perform in San Francisco. He was a lover of food who could be found whipping up shrimp scampi or fried chicken while hosting family and friends. He was also welcomed by name at seemingly every restaurant on the Peninsula and Palm Desert. Stan appreciated a good party, whether as host or guest, and never missed his grandchildren's graduations, weddings, and other milestones. Stan always shared his love for life with the people he loved most.
Stan is preceded in death by his wife Teresa Kangas and his sister Charlotte Sturgill. He is survived in death by his daughter Patricia Hoch (Patrick), and his three grandchildren, Andrew Walker (Claire Miller), Kirstyn Walker, and Elena Walker.
A private memorial service will be held in San Mateo, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the San Carlos Youth Center (https://prfsancarlos.org/donation/) or the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula (https://www.bgcp.org/donate).