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<p><em>Jeffrey Bruce “Jeff” Staser</em> was born in Munich, Germany on September 20, 1949 to Betty Jo (Thies) and Bruce Staser (USMA Class of 1944). Growing up in a military family, Jeff lived and traveled extensively in Europe. These experiences inspired his lifelong spirit of adventure, leading to his decision to enter West Point in 1968.</p>
<p>Jeff developed deep friendships at the Academy and excelled athletically, breaking the USMA butterfly record in swimming. Boxing his firstie year, he was undefeated, leading his company to win both the Regimental and Brigade Championships. His classmates describe him as “among the very best of our class—as cadet, gentleman and future Army officer. He was bright, athletic, and competitive, yet inspired inclusion and good camaraderie. He seamlessly performed and shined. He thus deservedly rose from amongst his I-1 classmates to the most senior regimental staff position in our firstie (1971-72) year…we were all profoundly proud of him.”</p>
<p>Jeff completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. His first assignment was the Berlin Brigade, serving with the 3-16th Infantry Battalion and 40th Armor. He also met his wife-to-be, Karen Tarpley, there. She was on hiatus from college, visiting her family stationed there. Jeff was assisted in his “conquest” by classmate PJ Sinnott and his future wife, Cathy, who advised Jeff, “You’re going to have to up your game to catch the ‘Belle of Berlin.’” Cathy planned their first date. She and PJ joined them for the Nutcracker Ballet in East Berlin followed by a five-star dinner in formal attire. The plan was a success!</p>
<p>On December 11, 1976, Jeff and Karen wed at Fort Benning, where Jeff completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course. Afterwards, they moved to Fort Bragg, NC. Jeff was company commander of the 1-504th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, 1977-79. He was next selected aide de camp to the deputy commanding general, 6th Army, Presidio of San Francisco. Following, Jeff earned a Master of Science degree in Construction Engineering at Stanford University, qualifying him as dual-branched with the Corps of Engineers. He also completed an MBA at San Francisco State University and a master’s in management from Webster College. Moreover, Jeff took part in one of his finest achievements, the birth of his and Karen’s first child, Sara Kathleen.</p>
<p>In 1983, Jeff was assigned Alaska deputy district engineer. He was proud to return home. His grandfather, a gold miner, was elected 1st U.S. Marshal of Anchorage, Territory of Alaska in 1919. His father was adjutant general for the state of Alaska from 1973 to 1975. Jeff next served as executive officer of the 1-17th Infantry Battalion, Alaska, from 1985 to 1987. Most importantly, Karen and Jeff welcomed their beloved daughter Anna-Katherine Staser (Kate) to the family in 1986.</p>
<p>After Jeff completed the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA in 1988, the family headed to the European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, where Jeff was J-3. They immensely enjoyed adding new adventures to cherished memories of Berlin. In 1990, Jeff took command of the 1-28th Infantry Battalion at Fort Jackson, SC. Additionally, he and Karen co-authored a professional development paper for a Department of the Army national competition. Karen added her expertise as an organizational psychologist. Together they won the Nick Hoge Award. Presenting their paper in Washington, DC led to Jeff’s appointment as Vice President, Office of Director of Civil Works, Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC in 1992.</p>
<p>Lieutenant Colonel Staser retired from the Army in 1994 and became legislative liaison for Senator Ted Stevens. While on Capitol Hill, Jeff whole-heartedly assisted Karen in founding the National Women’s History Museum. In 1999, Jeff was appointed by the president of the Senate and by the Speaker of the House as the 1st chairman of the Denali Commission (1999-2005), a federal agency charged with building infrastructure for Alaska.</p>
<p>Returning home to Alaska, true to Jeff’s tough adventurous spirit, he snowmobiled the full 1,500-mile Iron Dog trail in the dead of Arctic winter, even though one third into the expedition he broke two ribs in an accident on frozen tundra. He also took his family on a two-week rafting trip above the Arctic Circle, where all concept of time is lost as the sun never sets. He embarked on scuba diving excursions and even a sailing trip that ended abruptly when he and his compatriots shipwrecked in Cuba. They managed to escape with the help of Jeff’s Spanish skills, acquired at West Point!</p>
<p>Jeff lived a life of legend. He walked this earth with strength, nobility, and love. A true Renaissance man, he was inspired by beauty and motivated by truth. Revealing the innocence that comes with moral fiber and character, Jeff loved the legend of King Arthur and Camelot. He once noted that he prayed throughout his youth to become strong, wise, and good. And he was. Adoring husband, compassionate father, engaged grandfather of Sage, Ayla, Barrett and Emory, and loving brother to Merry and John (USMA Class of 1979), he inspired others towards the higher path, often leading the way.</p>
<p>Jeff’s loved ones poured their hearts into a memorial worthy of their beloved at the family farm in Georgia. The ceremony included planting a scarlet maple tree and Jeff’s eldest grandson, Sage, casting a sword into stone, engraved with a poem Jeff recited to Karen hundreds of times throughout their life together, “How Do I Love Thee?” The memorial concluded with the firing of three volleys and the release of over a dozen bobwhite quail into the wild.</p>
<p>Jeff is deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him.</p>
<p><em>— Karen, Sara and Kate</em></p>
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