For 87 years, Stanley L. Gubler has been traveling the roads of Southern Utah’s Dixie. His friends, business acquaintances and family members know his familiar routes, daily measured, starting from his home on 600 East, breakfast is served at the Clarion Inn, his hotel, where he has treated himself to cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy for over 16 years; next comes a check in on the family’s handling of Rocky Mountain Bread and Beverage and Rocky Mountain Transportation Services, run from the same location for over 40 years, where he and his former partners of 60 plus years created RMC, Foods. Somewhere in his day, his truck would make its way to Denny’s where the waitresses, cooks, and clean-up crew knew him by name and awaited his daily small talk, of St. George, in true John Wayne style. Shortly, he completes his daily loop, by returning home, in time for dinner.
In his beginning years, Stan’s first travels were by horseback, or in a model A Ford, or on the wagon in the fields in the family farm in Ivins. He was born on February 3, 1925 in Santa Clara. His parents, Harmon Gubler and Myrtle Laub Gubler were pioneer-stock of Santa Clara “Dutchmen” and mighty proud of it! His father, a produce peddler, taught Stan the art of traveling from surrounding town to town, furnishing small grocers with local produce. After Dixie High School days, Stan loaded up his truck and began his life-long employment and eventual future as an owner/partner in RMC, Foods. But Stan did not relish traveling alone, and in 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Grace Aleen Foremaster in the St. George Temple. And what an adventurous road the two of them would travel.
Stan and Grace found that a pick-up truck would not hold the precious cargo they collected along their travels. One by one, their four children filled their cars, their homes and their lives. Maurice (wife, Betty), Judith (husband, Rick), Michael (wife, Yvonne) and LaMond (wife, Terra) were all initiated into the family cars, travels and businesses. The value of work, along with the opportunity to do so under their dad’s scrutiny, was instilled into the very heart and soul of the family.
As Stan traveled in his work truck about the St. George area, he developed a knack for acquiring properties. Soon, this talent became a successful passion and with his love for travel, he began to make plans for venturing outside of his beloved Dixie. The family car enjoyed trips through California, Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. And then Stan discovered that air travel held a whole new means of transportation. When son Maurice completed his mission in Argentina, Stan, Grace Aleen and Judith packed up for a month long excursion to see that part of the world and bring their son home. That was the beginning of the wanderlust Stan enjoyed for the next thirty years of his life. He and Grace have traveled to Europe, (including his Swiss homeland) Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico and extensively throughout the United States. He has traveled with long-time St. George friends, his brothers Roosevelt (wife, Cleo) and Brent (wife, Darlene), each of his children, and many of his grandchildren. To keep their grandpa young, the grandchildren have had him travel by ski boating, four-wheeling, house boating, canoeing, backpacking, cruising, train and helicopter. The happiest moments of his life have been spent with his entire family, especially traveling to the Caribbean to celebrate Stan and Grace’s fiftieth wedding anniversary.
Stan’s local travels have afforded him the opportunity to serve his community while participating in the Rotary Club, Dixie College athletic events, Dixie College Colonel’s Club, LDS church and service activities, Santa Clara Swiss Days and serving as a St. George Temple worker with his faithful wife, Grace. His favorite road trips were made traveling to the various school and church activities of his 15 grandchildren. In later years, he was pleased to visit with family members, in his home, rocking and smiling upon his adoring 24 great-grandchildren.
Upon the passing of the love of his life, Grace Aleen, his travels stopped abruptly; but his truck still continued its St. George route. In 2010, he added new passengers to his travels, marrying Lisa Tillett, at Stan’s home ward building. Lisa and her daughter, Jessie Tillett, became a part of his last sojourn. Together, they have resided at the family home in St. George.
At journey’s end, Stan arrived at his 87th birthday and passed away on February 7. He will be met by those cherished and dear loved ones that have preceded his travels: His parents, Harmon and Myrtle Laub Gubler; his sister, Matha Gubler Chesney; his beloved and eternal companion, Grace Aleen Foremaster Gubler; and numerous pioneer ancestors. Stanley’s travels will be remembered by his loving family, along with his generous spirit, his adventurous ways, his amazing work ethic, and his passion for business. May the road ahead be just as wondrous as those once traveled.
Services will be held Friday, Feb. 17, 11:00 A.M. at the St. George LDS 6th Ward Building, 85 South, 400 East. The viewing will be Thursday, Feb. 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St. and Friday, Feb. 17, from 9:30-10:30 at the St. George LDS 6th Ward Building. Interment will take place in the St. George City Cemetery.
In his beginning years, Stan’s first travels were by horseback, or in a model A Ford, or on the wagon in the fields in the family farm in Ivins. He was born on February 3, 1925 in Santa Clara. His parents, Harmon Gubler and Myrtle Laub Gubler were pioneer-stock of Santa Clara “Dutchmen” and mighty proud of it! His father, a produce peddler, taught Stan the art of traveling from surrounding town to town, furnishing small grocers with local produce. After Dixie High School days, Stan loaded up his truck and began his life-long employment and eventual future as an owner/partner in RMC, Foods. But Stan did not relish traveling alone, and in 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Grace Aleen Foremaster in the St. George Temple. And what an adventurous road the two of them would travel.
Stan and Grace found that a pick-up truck would not hold the precious cargo they collected along their travels. One by one, their four children filled their cars, their homes and their lives. Maurice (wife, Betty), Judith (husband, Rick), Michael (wife, Yvonne) and LaMond (wife, Terra) were all initiated into the family cars, travels and businesses. The value of work, along with the opportunity to do so under their dad’s scrutiny, was instilled into the very heart and soul of the family.
As Stan traveled in his work truck about the St. George area, he developed a knack for acquiring properties. Soon, this talent became a successful passion and with his love for travel, he began to make plans for venturing outside of his beloved Dixie. The family car enjoyed trips through California, Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. And then Stan discovered that air travel held a whole new means of transportation. When son Maurice completed his mission in Argentina, Stan, Grace Aleen and Judith packed up for a month long excursion to see that part of the world and bring their son home. That was the beginning of the wanderlust Stan enjoyed for the next thirty years of his life. He and Grace have traveled to Europe, (including his Swiss homeland) Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico and extensively throughout the United States. He has traveled with long-time St. George friends, his brothers Roosevelt (wife, Cleo) and Brent (wife, Darlene), each of his children, and many of his grandchildren. To keep their grandpa young, the grandchildren have had him travel by ski boating, four-wheeling, house boating, canoeing, backpacking, cruising, train and helicopter. The happiest moments of his life have been spent with his entire family, especially traveling to the Caribbean to celebrate Stan and Grace’s fiftieth wedding anniversary.
Stan’s local travels have afforded him the opportunity to serve his community while participating in the Rotary Club, Dixie College athletic events, Dixie College Colonel’s Club, LDS church and service activities, Santa Clara Swiss Days and serving as a St. George Temple worker with his faithful wife, Grace. His favorite road trips were made traveling to the various school and church activities of his 15 grandchildren. In later years, he was pleased to visit with family members, in his home, rocking and smiling upon his adoring 24 great-grandchildren.
Upon the passing of the love of his life, Grace Aleen, his travels stopped abruptly; but his truck still continued its St. George route. In 2010, he added new passengers to his travels, marrying Lisa Tillett, at Stan’s home ward building. Lisa and her daughter, Jessie Tillett, became a part of his last sojourn. Together, they have resided at the family home in St. George.
At journey’s end, Stan arrived at his 87th birthday and passed away on February 7. He will be met by those cherished and dear loved ones that have preceded his travels: His parents, Harmon and Myrtle Laub Gubler; his sister, Matha Gubler Chesney; his beloved and eternal companion, Grace Aleen Foremaster Gubler; and numerous pioneer ancestors. Stanley’s travels will be remembered by his loving family, along with his generous spirit, his adventurous ways, his amazing work ethic, and his passion for business. May the road ahead be just as wondrous as those once traveled.
Services will be held Friday, Feb. 17, 11:00 A.M. at the St. George LDS 6th Ward Building, 85 South, 400 East. The viewing will be Thursday, Feb. 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St. and Friday, Feb. 17, from 9:30-10:30 at the St. George LDS 6th Ward Building. Interment will take place in the St. George City Cemetery.