Herman "Skip" Staffel

SKIP STAFFEL 1947 - 2006 IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Skip lived everyday, every moment with a kindness and sincerity seldom found in human beings. In his world, there were no pretensions. He was simply, a man of his word and a man who loved his family, knowledge, peace and freedom to experience the divine in our natural world. In this man there lived a true love for wild places and a true desire to conserve and protect them. He was dedicated, devoted servant and defender of the public lands, wanting to preserve their beauty for those he loved and for all people. Skip was a surveyor for The U. S. Forest Service in Clearwater National Forest. He worked to complete a survey of the Appalachian Trail with the National Park Service and his career has ended with his work in the Idaho Falls area with the Bureau of Land Management. It was his joy to share the beauty he experienced in life with those around him. How many of you were handed his binoculars so that you could see a bird? How many walked up a mountain with him and watched his slow, steady gait from behind? Did you see a waterfall with him or a pictograph on a rock face? Did you flick your fly line in the water with him? Did you catch your first trout with him? Did you find the hiding place of Crazy Horse and his people with him? Did you go to a Dylan Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, or a Bluegrass concert with him? Did you just sit and chat about music, art, literature, or public policy on the back patio or in his cubicle with him? Did you hear his gentle voice as he read to you? These were the true loves of his life: friends, family, knowledge, wild places, books, music, history and peace. You are privileged if you were there with him, if you had even a few moments in his presence. Don’t we wish now that we could have gazed more closely into his eyes or heard once more his beautiful voice, that we could have had one more dance or one more kiss, one more hug, one more moment to walk or talk with him? It was the beauty of the divine, the essence of goodness that is his legacy. Skip was born in 1947 in Washington D.C. After graduation from Fairfax High School, he served in Vietnam and returned to pursue his education at the University of Idaho. He married Connie Samar in 1981. He is survived by his wife, Connie; his sons, Franz and Michael; his daughter, Jennifer; his brother, Peter; his grandchildren, Mattius, Dominic, Maya; and numerous friends who called him brother. He had a heart of gold. And he lives forever in our hearts. Please make a donation to any of the following organizations in Skip’s memory rather than sending flowers: The Nature Conservancy, 151 N. Ridge, Idaho Falls, ID 83404; Teton Regional Land Trust, P.O. Box 247, Driggs, Idaho 83422; or The Center for New Directions, EITC, 16 S. 2500 E., Idaho Falls, ID 83404. __________________________________ Condolences sent: I did not know Skip, but after reading the beautiful tribute to his life that appeared in the paper, I wish I had. My prayers and condolences are extended to his family. G Hahn