Stanley Walter Tauscher passed away peacefully at his home in Clinton on April 27, 2009, with his wife Mary and sister-in-law Katherine by his side.

Stanley was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Centralia to Kathryn and Walter Tauscher.

Stanley was raised in the Highline area of Seattle and graduated from Highline High School in 1952. He attended the University of Washington and graduated from Oregon State University in 1957. Stanley began his 25-year career with the National Park Service in 1957 as a landscape architect.

After retiring in 1985, Stanley returned to Whidbey Island where he enjoyed his large garden and many fruit trees. He played piano, mandolin and ukulele, but was best known for his accordion playing. He played for many years in the Sno-King Folk Dance Band in Lynnwood and the Senior Fun Band, and played at many local events here on Whidbey Island.

His family includes his wife Mary V. Tauscher of Clinton; his son Edward and life partner Peter Galli of San Francisco, Calif.; his son Lewis Fritz and his wife Anna, and Stan’s granddaughters Theresa and Katy of Auburn; his daughter Sheryl Pot and family of Federal Way; stepson Robert E. DeSchuiteneer Jr., and wife Elaine, and stepdaughter Julie McKibben, all of New Hampshire; and his sister-in-law Katherine Ng who loved and helped care for him in his last months.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Kathryn (Maki) Tauscher of Seattle and his brother Kenneth Tauscher of Clinton.

A memorial celebration of Stanley’s life will be held at a later date.