Louise Staver

July 21, 1917 - December 30, 2009

Former Corvallis resident Louise Tinker Staver died of age-related causes at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. She was 92. Louise was born in Walla Walla, Wash., to George Byron Tinker and Clara Copeland Tinker. She was raised at Long Beach in western Washington, and was a graduate of Ilwaco High School and Seattle Business College. She lived in Seattle, Wash., and worked in the purchasing department of the Boeing Company. In 1880, her grandfather, Henry Harrison Tinker, purchased a land claim and platted a town called Tinkerville. In 1922, the town became incorporated as Long Beach, Wash. She was the last living descendent of the Long Beach Tinker family. In 1943, she married Frederick Lee Staver at the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C. After World War II, they briefly lived in Berkeley, Calif., while he earned a doctorate in English. They moved to Corvallis, where Fred taught in the English department at Oregon State University and she worked at the campus bookstore. Together they raised three children. One of her most cherished memories was the five-month sabbatical she and her husband spent in Europe in 1971. Louise was active in her community. She belonged to the Corvallis Women's Club, and was elected president several times. She was a supporter and docent of the Corvallis Arts Center, and a member of the OSU Women's Folk Club. She enjoyed ballet, classical music, fine art, books and white flowers. She was fond of brown eyes. She was preceded in death by her son, George, in 2000, and by her husband in 2002. Survivors include her daughter, Madeleine, of Albany; son Edward of Springfield; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Louise was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her kind, gentle soul will always be in the hearts of those who knew her. A private family service will be held in the spring.