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 Gary Stieger
Age: 71
Cedar Rapids
Sunday, May 2, 2021
GARY LLOYD STIEGER
Cedar Rapids
It is with great sadness that the family of Gary Lloyd Stieger, 71, (Class of 1967, Washington Senior High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) share that Gary passed away suddenly on April 6th, 2021.
The second child of Mary Evelyn (Robbins) and Bernhard Frederick Stieger of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gary leaves behind Doris, his wife of 42 years of San Francisco, California, his brother Steven Stieger of New York City, New York, his sister Kathy Ann Collins (Doug) of Scottsdale, Arizona, his sister Lana Joy Stieger of Chandler, Arizona, his nephew Christopher Ryan Collins (Kimberly and beloved children Ryan Christopher and Kate Elizabeth) of Winnetka, Illinois, his niece Kelly Ann Collins Romanczuk (Paul Douglas and beloved children Cooper Douglas, Collin Wendell and Riley June) of West Chester, Philadelphia, his sister-in-law Lena Ruth Gilbert of Springville, Iowa and his brother-in-law Jack Henry Gilbert also of Springville, Iowa and many kind and wonderful cousins and friends.
Gary's journey early on included being recognized as the honorary "White Buffalo" of the week at Camp Wapsie in Coggon, Iowa. And being cast as "The Admiral" - which featured a solo! - in "HMS Pinafore" at Polk Elementary School where he also went on to be elected the student body President - as a 5th grader!
Gary then went on to make basketball his passion and played every day snow, rain or shine and would eventually become a point guard for the Washington Senior High School Men's Varsity Basketball team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during a time when there was a student body population of over 2,500. Go Warriors!
A basketball scholarship to William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa became the next step in Gary's path. Go Statesmen!
Gary then received his B.A. from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida in Business Administration. Next came pre-graduate studies in Urban Planning and Econometrics at the University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California - where he designed the first open space plan for Isla Vista, California that is still in existence today - which was followed by the completion of his M.A. in Urban Planning from San Jose State University in San Jose, California - where he also taught Econometrics to his fellow graduate students.
Gary then began his professional career as an Urban Planner for the City of Mountain View, California and moved on to become a Social Scientist and Policy Analyst at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in Menlo Park, California for 8 years where upon he assumed the role of Director of Research at Research and Decisions, Inc. in San Francisco, California which soon after became The PBN Company where Gary became involved with supporting the democratization of the former Soviet Union after the coup of 1989, through a partnership with USAID that The PBN Company accepted at the request of President Mikhail Gorbachev (from 1985 to 1991).
What followed found Gary in the former Soviet Union, going from Moscow to Chisinev and beyond gathering transitional information from politicians to private citizens completing the first public opinion survey in the history of Russia to be conducted without censure.
Gary went on to create GLS Research, Inc. Market Research and Analysis in San Francisco, California where he brought his talents to many private and public arenas including the gaming and tourism industry of Nevada and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority as well as to premiere advertising and marketing firms such as R & R Partners as well as to Native American nations alike - all of which continued to take him around the world to fulfill his duties.
Throughout these times some of Gary's nonprofit achievements included the development of ground breaking HIV/AIDS research for the Shanti Project and critical homelessness information for The San Francisco Union Square Business District.
Gary's joy being a San Francisco Giants baseball season ticket holder was made even more special whenever Gary was able to share his seats with family as well as with lifelong friends Gary made along the way. Go Giants!
Gary also avidly followed Northwestern University's Men's Basketball where his adored nephew Chris - with the support of his loving wife and wonderful son and daughter - has been coaching for the last 8 years. Go Cats!
Dearly treasured by Gary also is his niece Kelly who Gary forever marveled at as she - along with her husband - masterfully is raising two very, very active sons and one equally busy daughter. Go EA!
Gary was unapologetically kind, caring, patient, funny, supportive, optimistic, the ultimate knower of all things sports and the best husband Doris could ever wish for.
A private burial ceremony was held on April 14th, 2021 at Cypress Lawn in Colma, California where Gary was laid to rest amidst the Pacific Ocean breeze and verdant coastal rolling hills he loved so much.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To request more information, please kindly send inquiries through the Contact Us page at www.glsresearch.com
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Thomas McGowan (McGowan)
This is sad news after such an amazing life.
Rest in peace our friend.
Terry Lee
Gary was in my class at Polk School from as early as I can remember. He was a natural athlete in any sport he participated in, a great student and a good friend. I remember the performance of the H.M.S. Pinafore our 5th (I believe it was 5th) grade music class performed. Mrs. Debban was our music teacher and Gary had the lead part. Yes he also had a very good singing voice. I think 5th grade was the first year I can remember that we had intramural sports with other elementary schools in flag football, softball and track and field. Gary was a star athlete in all of those endeavors. Those were great times, old Polk School was a great place for our first school and I remember some friends I made there that 60 plus years later I still have wonderful memories of. Of all those great memories my recollections of times spent with Gary at Polk School are some the best. It sounds like Gary's later life was full of remarkable achievements. I'm glad he had such a full and memorable life. He is missed....Julianne "Juli" Eichhorn (Smith)
What an interesting life! I wish I had known him better. His family has my deep sympathy.
Clayton Fulkerson
I am deeply saddened by the news of Gary's death. I had a wonderful conversation with him and Doris at the last reunion and was looking forward to seeing them at the next. It's strange, but recently, as I was going through my (too) large collection of memorabilia, I came across the admiral's hat I made for him for Mrs. Debban's production of "H.M.S. Pinafore". I wish I had sent it to him.
Gary was not only a gifted athlete, but he also had a great appreciation for other qualities that make for a rich life. He indeed lived one.
I send my heartfelt condolences to Doris and all his family.
Gary Keoppel
Thoughts and prayers to Doris and Gary's family. I got to know Gary at Wash and enjoyed spending time talking to Doris and him at the 50th reunion. He was the same great guy I remembered from high school - quiet, humble and sincere. RIP Warrior!
Curtis Annett (Annett)
Thoughts and Prayers go out to Gary's Family and Friends. May his Memory be Eternal.
Dan Hampton
I was very sad to her of Gary's passing. He was a member of our august 8th grade baseball team at Franklin where he played third base. I do remember that his father was a salesman at Killian's in the men's clothing department. I had a wonderful time interacting with both he and his wife at our 50th reunion and was looking forward to seeing them both at our 55th.Gary spoke to me about his work in the area of social research and referenced many of the projects that were detailed in his obituary. He accomplished a great deal in his life. My sincere condolences to his family.
Patricia "Patty" Smith (Baer)
I too am so deeply saddened to hear of Gary's death. He was a remarkable person and so kind and fun. It is so sad to hear of his untimely passing. My deepest sympathy to his family.