Lasting Memories

Stanley Klescewski
March 18, 1930-Jan. 17, 2024
San Ramon, California

Stanley ("Stan the Man") Klescewski, age 93, of San Ramon, California, died peacefully at home of old age on January, 17, 2024.

Stan was born in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 18, 1930 to Stan and Helen Klescewski, both of whose families immigrated from Poland. Stan grew up in Minnesota and Wisconsin during the Great Depression with seven other siblings. Before finishing high school, he ran away from home at the age of 16 and joined the Air Force in 1949. He served for 3-1/2 years receiving jet engine mechanic training in Indiana and serving in the Korean War (Skull Airbase in England). He received his GED after leaving the Air Force and married his loving wife, Joyce Furst Klescewski in 1953. They were married until her death in April, 2019.

Stan's military training opened up an opportunity to work for Boeing Airlines where he received additional airplane mechanical training which launched his flight engineer career. Stan initially flew commercial airline routes, but the majority of his career was with cargo and charter carrying airlines (such as Zantop, TIA/Transamerica, World, etc.) that took him all over the world. He had many interesting stories about foreign countries, charter groups and some unusual cargo. He finished his career flying for UPS.

After living in six different states after the births of his two sons, Mark (Joell) and James (Kim), the family moved to Dublin, California in 1969 and have been in Northern California ever since. Stan's five grandchildren (Tara Hazegh, Erica Packman, Derek Klescewski, Brooke Kaczmarek and Eve Cunningham) brought him ten great grandchildren (Asher, Rowan, Parker, Zoe, Finn, Cody, Graham, Henry, Valerie and Violet) in which he found great joy.

Stan was known for his great sense of humor. We'll always remember him saying at the end of every family get together, "Well, like the sheepherder said, let's get the flock out of here". We will miss him every day and his memory will live on in our hearts. A memorial will be held on February 17th at 10 a.m. at Graham-Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton at 4167 First Street. Donations to Wounded Warriors Project charity would be appreciated.