Leaving a Legacy: Remembering Stan Grad

August 5, 1944 — July 29, 2023

It was a cool morning in Feb. 1990 when Stan Grad’s youngest daughter, Kristine, was driving to school near their rural home and collided with a fertilizer truck.

STARS transported Kristine to the closest trauma centre. While both the air medical crew and the hospital staff worked diligently to help her, Kristine sadly succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.

In the wake of immense tragedy, Stan recognized the importance of services like STARS and made the decision to dedicate life to ensuring every person in Alberta — no matter where they live, work, or play — has access to critical care and the best chance of survival in the event of an emergency.

Stan’s commitment really kicked off when he donated a fully restored vintage 1929 Ford Model A roadster to raffle off for STARS. Rallying a team of volunteers, he sold tickets and raised awareness of STARS in more than 50 rural communities, raising more than $120,000.

“STARS is such a crucial link in medical emergencies across Western Canada. That’s why I began early on to support it financially and would one day decide to make a major contribution to its wonderfully worthy cause. Sometimes when I hear the thrum of its helicopters flying over our ranch en route to Calgary, I feel a quiet joy about being allowed to play a small part in the success of STARS.”
– Stan Grad

“Stan was an undeniable force,” said Dr. Greg Powell, STARS founder and ongoing ambassador. “From the outset of his involvement with STARS, after the tragic loss of his daughter, he dedicated his heart and soul into building and solidifying the STARS organization to ensure we could continue helping people well into the future. He quickly became a quiet champion and leader, mentor, partner, and community collaborator, and his friendship was so valued.”

For more than 30 years, the oilman and rancher would go on to commit time, energy, and resources to growing STARS into the organization people know it as today.

Stan and his wife Jane believed deeply in the power of community. His involvement with STARS was always led with purpose and passion to help STARS gain financial stability.

In 1997, he co-chaired Seconds Count, a first-of-its-kind capital campaign that had a goal of raising $7.5 million to allow STARS to purchase its own helicopters for the first time and to implement a research and education arm for the organization. He was fundamental in building awareness about the importance of STARS with the Alberta government. In the end, the campaign raised more than $8.1 million.

Through the years, Stan engrained himself in the fabric of the organization, playing a key role in the development of the STARS Foundation, launching fundraising programs still used to this day, and sitting on the board of directors for more than two decades.

Though he passed away in July 2023, the ripple effect of Stan’s impact continues to live on in every STARS mission.

To recognize and commemorate his immense legacy, the STARS team was proud to nominate him for the Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy award through the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Calgary & Area.

Katherine Emberly, STARS president and CEO, and Stan’s family were in attendance to honour his legacy at the National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon in Calgary this past November.

“Stan truly brought people from all walks of life together,” Emberly said. “From the corporate world to the rural community, he rallied support for STARS with everyone he met. His profound impact will continue to be felt for decades to come.”