Stambaugh, Marvin L.

Marvin L. Stambaugh, 77, of Cedar Rapids, died early on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in his son's Lisbon home following an illness. In accordance with Marvin's wishes, he will be buried at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Marvin Lavern Stambaugh was born to parents Charles and Helen Stambaugh on Nov. 21, 1933, in Marion, Iowa. There are few words available to describe Marvin. He played many roles as the husband, the father, the grandfather, the great-grandfather, the friend, the man; honest, sincere, genuine and a truly beautiful human being. He was magical, strong, steady, and proud.

As a husband, Marvin married Margarette “Maggie” Rupp on Jan. 6, 1952. During their 51 years of marriage, they were blessed with five boys: Russell, Ronald, Ralph, Rodger and Richard. Marvin and Maggie were hilarious at times and “Hell on Wheels” at others. It was their “true-blue,” “tried and true” natures that are a part of so many fond memories for those who were lucky to have known them; today and forever.

As a father, Marvin was tough but fair. Funny and forgiving. A protective provider and pragmatic dad. While working many years for Wilson's Packinghouse, Marvin and Maggie managed to raise five boys with most of their sanity in tact. Marvin also worked for Fifth Avenue Pharmacy before retiring.

As a grandfather and great-grandfather, Marvin was blessed with grandchildren from son Russell - Lori and Todd Stambaugh; son Ronald and Jeanynne - Cassandra, Marshall, Samuil and Jayden Stambaugh; and son Ralph - Rachel and Denny Stambaugh. Great-grandchildren include Ben and Madison from Rachel, Kylee and Brenden from Denny and Mackenzlee from Lori.

Grandpa Marvin was many things to the grandbabies he loved to spoil. Marvin had plenty of “non-blood” grandchildren as well. He was the only Grampa some ever knew. He was wise, “knew everything about everything,” and certainly enjoyed teaching so many so much. Grampa never let a weekend pass by without cooking dinner for the family. His chili and sweet breads were famously feasted upon. Grampa never forgot a birthday and he could make any day seem like Christmas. He's remembered for the great stories he told - not just the “fish-tales” - that he told over and over. Those stories and memories will be giggled about in years ahead.

Marvin Stambaugh, the man, the friend, was a person with whom you always knew where you stood. He was truthful and spoke his mind, treating others with dignity and respect. Even in his final hours, Marvin fussed about the “little things,” such as a dog's newborn pups, a granddaughter's broken wrist and the pink cast she will be sporting, a son's strength and a daughter-in-law's loving care of him being so tender. Marvin was and is literally the glue that holds this enormous family together so much, so often, so stubbornly, so strongly.

Marvin's heart and soul also had a playful, optimistic aura that so many others were privileged to have been a part of. Slot machines at Tama were music to his ears. Euchre, pepper, and pinochle cards were never out of his arm's reach. Yatzee, Dots, and a fierce game of Go Fish were a regular occurrence anytime needed. NASA could have set their clocks by Marvin's bi-weekly 9:59 p.m. ritual to scribble down those Iowa Lotto numbers. He never gave up but always quietly cursed that little red Powerball. Wheel of Fortune was a daily “have to” - and we all knew not to interrupt Pat or Vanna. Iowa Hawkeye ballgames filled many chilly weekends on TV. Marvin had no trouble slipping into that armchair quarterback position. He also made no mind when he'd flip between John Wayne and SpongeBob SquarePants when the little ones batted their little eyes at him saying, “Come on Grampa, Please!”

NASA would likely not have consumed the amount of coffee that this man did from sun up to moon set, coffee, coffee, coffee. We're sure that may have had something to do with the never ending flow of friends and family surrounding him daily. Marvin was magnetic with his kindhearted, hardworking attitude. He never failed to fill up that extra coffee mug he'd set out, waiting for the next visitor. We bet none of us can count the number of times we've “headed over to Marv's.”

Marvin was a man of routine as well; a particular man that paid great attention to detail. He always had some unscratched Lotto tickets around to heed off boredom, that crossword and his thorough thumbing through the newspaper. Marvin “won big” more than the rest of us usually did. He cared for more strays than any shelter around these parts. Marvin fed the birds, cussed at those squirrels and watched baby deer clean up after them. No one knows how many cats this man fed and secretly loved. He raised more than his share of “man's best friend” over the years as well. So many of them, so many of us were loved by a man that was, in turn, so very easy to love. If not for his beautiful spirit and kind soul, we'd have missed the experience of beauty and freedom that he gave us unconditionally. He modeled loyalty and devotion to all he loved, and giving so much more that is now indescribable.

We can be certain of one thing: Marvin would want us all to live as he lived - to “see the good in everyone, especially when it seems hardest. Life's too short for anything less.” Thank God you saw that in us Marv, thank you. We love you Marv and we know that, as always, you will be there every time we need you. Love, The Stambaughs.

In lieu of flowers, the family is setting up a memorial fund.

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Published in The Gazette on Sept. 18, 2011