Roll Call Tribute

John C. "Jack" Stoob, Col. USAF (Ret) 

1934 - July 2024 

Jack died at home at age 90 of an accumulation of old age maladies in Arcata, California in July, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Clara Stoob and his beloved wife and high school sweetheart Idella (aka Rusty). He was born in 1934 and raised in San Francisco, California.

He lived an amazing and long life all over the world as a Sea Scout, clarinet player, UC Berkeley graduate, Texas A & M graduate, US Air Force navigator & officer (25 years) and a college professor at California State University, Humboldt (25 years). His Air Force travels took him to US Air Force bases around the world including Kelly Field, Texas; Johnson, Japan; Mather, California; Wurtsmith, Michigan; Tahkli, Thailand; Bolling, Washington D.C.; Wright Patterson, Ohio; Ramstein, Germany. He was quite shocked when moving from San Francisco to Texas in the 1950s for Air Force training that the Texas weather was not at all like San Francisco weather.

Idella left him a package to open upon her death with the exhortation to “Accept all invitations.” He surprised his children by doing just that, socializing with neighbors and colleagues, joining the Ramblers walking group, participating in an investment group, volksmarching with the IVV in Europe and walking the American Volksport Association in the US, joining the North Coast Aviation Society, joining a book group, playing bridge, participating in the Humboldt State retired faculty club, and acquiring girlfriend Leslie McCarthy, with whom he traveled to Europe twice while in his 80s. He donated money and goods to many causes, especially Hospice of Humboldt. He explored jazz clubs in Tokyo in the late 1950s, developing a life long love of jazz. He loved family, friends, wine, ice cream and walking. He assisted Leslie with her flea market sales and patiently stopped for flea market sales around California. The Air Force sent him to Texas A & M University for his masters’ and PhD degrees and he said being a student during those years were his favorite. Idella, a retired teacher, also left him a report card awarding him a grade of A+ as a husband. He was a quiet, gentle man with a subtle sense of humor. He declared a “successful shopping trip” to be one where nothing was purchased. To this day, family members joke about an “unsuccessful shopping trip” when coming home laden with packages.

He is survived by children Sandy (Jerry Goldsmith), Susan Lovato (Mike) and Mike (Birgit Arnold). He is survived by grandchildren Melissa Cabusas (Brandon), Melody Rice (Rogen), Jesana Goldsmith (Tania Lopez), Alex & Johanna. He is survived by great grandson Vincent Lovato.

We are extremely grateful to Hospice of Humboldt for taking care of him in his last days. He was our rock. We love you Dad, Papa Jack! He requested no services. Please consider a donation to Hospice of Humboldt in his name.