Stuart Needham Kingsley

Stuart Needham Kingsley

After a courageous fifteen month battle with cancer, Stuart (”Stu”) Needham Kingsley, 64, died in his sleep on Friday, October 1, in the cabin his parents built in 1938, on Blossom Trail, in Government Camp, OR.

Kingsley was born February 19, 1940, in Portland, OR, and raised in Eugene, but his earliest and most enduring memories were at the Mt. Hood cabin, where he spent much of his youth. He considered himself fortunate that he was able to refurbish the cabin over the past twenty years while he lived in Anchorage, AK.

Stu was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2003, less than a year after he and his sweetheart, Jan Sands, had completed a long-anticipated van and motorcycle “Odyssey” throughout the United States and Canada.

It was at the Kingsley family cabin that Stu and Jan spent his last months. At the time of his death, his faithful companion cat, Binky -- who had been standing guard for three days -- was at his side. Ironically, Stu’s death coincided with the recent explosion at Mount St. Helens, a spectacular “send off” for one who loved the mountains, whether skiing, photographing or touring on motorcycle.

Kingsley earned business degrees from the University of Oregon and Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, AZ. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965.

For thirty five years, he worked in marketing communications, including a leading international ad agency in New York City, radio advertising in northern California, an advertising agency in Anchorage, and eighteen years with his own shop, Indelible Ink, in Anchorage. He worked for Eureka Broadcasting from 1972-1980.

Over the years, Kingsley was active in Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs and local Chamber of Commerce organizations. His dedicated service won him many Alaskan awards, including Kiwanian of the Year in 1987 and 1989, Advertising Professional of the Year in 1991, Silver Medal Award from American Advertising Federetion in 1995 and Lifetime Achievement Award from Advertising Federation - Alaska in 2000.

Among their activities, Stu and his wife Jan enjoyed foreign travel and motorcycle touring. Through their 23 years together, they traveled in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the United States. The highlight of their travels, however, was the year-long “Odyssey” when they left Alaska and traveled to 40 states and five Canadian provinces, visiting long-time friends -- and making new ones -- along the way.

Upon learning of his disease, Stu immediately displayed an inner resolve and strength to “keep on keepin’ on,” even when it became apparent that the cancer was terminal. He never asked, “Why me?” He felt strongly that he had lived a good and full life and, even facing his own untimely death, regretted the loss of many young lives in Iraq. Many long-time friends and new ones visited Stu during his illness and “loved him to death.”

”All of us will miss his immense wit, self-deprecating humor, love of words, and loyal friendship,” said many of Stu’s friends.

Survivors include his sweetheart of 23 years and wife, Jan Sands; sister, Susan Sacaloff of Anchorage; nephew, Nicco Holt and family of Grants Pass; niece, Gretchen Holt of Eugene; and aunt, Grace Kingsley Williams of Canyon City, OR.

Private remembrances of Stu are being planned by groups of friends throughout the Northwest.

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