Stanley Fishbader
Stanley Fishfader, who grew a small Compton junk yard, Cooperative Pipe and Steel, that his father Abe Fishfader purchased in 1938, into Wilmington’s Coordinated Equipment Company, died peacefully at home at the age of 96.
A native Californian, Stan spent his childhood in Taft and Long Beach, working in the oil fields, tinkering with radios, and playing football at Taft and Wilson High Schools.
World War II saw Stan flying combat missions as an Army Air Force Radio Operator on a B-17 for the 490th Bomber Group. They flew 21 missions, their survival defied the odds. This left an indelible image. He continued to meet throughout the years with his crew, outliving everyone.
After the war Stan attended U.S.C., also playing football. When Stan stopped by a party at his family home, “The Castle,” in the Hollywood Hills, he met Gloria Minick Keller, who would become his wife and the love of his life for the next 74 years.
At the age of 22, upon the death of his father, Stan became the patriarch of what would become a large extended family.
As the leader of Coordinated Equipment Company, Stan’s word was all that was needed to solidify a business agreement. Stan learned the practical applications of metallurgy, hydraulics, mechanics and other engineering disciplines because he was curious and truly enjoyed them. He was always trying to figure out how to improve things. His natural curiosity led to his commercial success while his company participated in the national movement to improve worker and production safety in America during the 60’s and 70’s. He accomplished this by hiring a talented group of professionals and developing mechanical testing facilities whose physical capabilities are still unmatched in the world some sixty years later. Aerospace, construction, stevedoring, energy, manufacturing, and marine customers found they could rely on Stan’s engineers and technicians to design and perform tests that provided them valuable results. Stan and his son Scott, and their wonderful family of partners and employees built the wire rope business that still serves as the largest wire rope supplier for the busiest ports in the country.
Stan had a wide range of interests and collections and belonged to the Masons. A generous philanthropist to multiple organizations, he also donated some of his collections (antique cameras) to the Getty Museum and Peterson Automotive Museum (antique sports cars). He also extensively traveled the world, making long term friendships abroad.
Stan had a rare lifelong love affair with his wife, Gloria, who survives him. Stan was devoted to his family and leaves his sisters, Evelyn Soucek and Judy Edelson; brother William Fishfader and his wife Sheila; as well as his own children, Andrea Bell, Randy and Scott Fishfader and cherished daughter-in-law Patty Fishfader, M.D. Michael Bell, his grandson, was the light of his life. Sarah Cawley became a beloved part of the family. His sisters, Jackie and Nikki, pre-deceased him, as well as his brothers-in-law, Brigadier Gen. Leo Soucek and Jack Lion. He was a caring uncle to 15 nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved and maintained an abiding involvement in their lives.
Stan loved laughing, joking and having fun with his many dear relatives from Gloria’s family.
Stan was blessed with a man of enormous compassion, Gilroy Chavez, who cared for him at the end of his life. Unique to Stan, were his decadeslong friendships, and business relationships, both here and abroad.
Services will be private and will be conducted by Rabbi Stan Levy at Hillside Memorial Cemetery on Thursday, March 4.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Stan’s memory to the National Jewish Federation, World War Two Museum, Doctors Without Borders or U.S. Holocaust Museum.