Every once in a while Princeton loses someone who causes the community to stand still for a little while. Their presence really mattered and the world is not a better place without them, but rather needs more of them. Stan Thompson was one such man. He was tenacious, caring and loved to laugh. Anyone who met him would say that, even near the end of his life on this planet.
Stan never quit laughing and making people laugh. He never quit fighting either. His spirit kept him going even when his body was failing. Stan will be missed because of all that and much much more.
It would be nice in some ways to be able to clone the good ones, but I’m sure something would be missing even if you did. After meeting Stan for just a few minutes, one knew they had met someone who was unclonable, someone who was definitely one-of-a-kind, someone whose zest for life and Earth was bigger than that of most.
When Stan put his mind to something, it usually got done. He was like a bulldog with the last bone zooming in on a project like someone with a large telescope. Stan had an ability to take an idea and focus his dials on it until he could see ahead off in the distance the truth of it magnified larger than life. His aim was good and so was his vision.
Stan didn’t take no for an answer. If he was told something couldn’t be done, he cleared a path to make it doable. If he was told that an idea was too impossible, he made it possible.
The impact of Stan is everywhere in Princeton. The caboose beside Princeton’s Weyerhaeuser Roundhouse was one of Stan’s pet projects. He brought it to town and hauled it to many different locations trying to both preserve it and use it to promote Princeton. It was the Visitor Information Centre for years. It is in the process of being resurrected. I think Stan would be happy to know that.
Stan was a long time member of the Princeton Rodeo Association. Like a steer wrestler, he took the association by the horns and dug in his heels until he flipped it over onto its side and then let it go to stand upright with new enthusiasm. He was respected. If members needed to discuss things, they talked to Stan. Stan had an ability to find a way through even the rockiest steepest of trails.
It was Stan who wanted to preserve the historic Dewdney Trail. It was he who scrounged up grant money to take it back from the mountain. Stan knew history was important. He also knew relationships were important. If you needed help Stan held out his hand, if you needed advice, Stan gave it without judgement and if you needed a friend he made you love him. He will be missed. Princeton has lost a good man. Stan made Princeton a better place.