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Feb. 20, 1930 - Aug. 22, 2026
FAIRMONT -- Herbert Arthur Stade was born on Feb. 20, 1930, to Agnes and Arthur Stade at their family farm in Fairmont, Minn. Herb, along with his two younger sisters, Geri and Sylvia, grew up on the farm doing chores and learning simple, Midwest heartland values from their parents.
Herb attended Central Elementary School and Fairmont High School, and during middle school, he discovered his passion for flying. In the early 1940s, Fairmont did not have an airport, so Herb's father made a landing strip in an alfalfa field, hired a flight instructor, and bought a small plane. It was a Curtiss Robin. Herb's first flight was at the age of 11.
Herb was an active Cub Scout and Boy Scout. As a Scout, he attended several World Jamborees. In 1947, he traveled to France in an Army Troop Ship with approximately 1000 Boy Scouts from all over the country. At 15, he became an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. While at Fairmont High School, he played basketball and tennis, sang in the chorus and was a member of the high school jazz band. He loved playing piano and the accordion.
Herb attended the University of Minnesota, where he graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in Business. He served on the University of Minnesota Board of Governors there, eventually becoming President. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, and one year he went through Sorority Rush disguised as a girl! Before graduating, Herb was elected to the University's prestigious "Iron Wedge Society" for his academic accomplishments and service to the University. Later in 1953, Herb was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent two years at the AMPO Army Finance office at Fort Riley, Kansas.
From 1955 to 1957, Herb worked in Fairmont with his dad in the road construction business, learning the values of hard work and ambition.
In 1957, Herb came to Chicago to accept a job as a pilot with United Airlines. He would fly for United for 33 years. He flew both Governor Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush during their campaigns for the President of the United States.
Both during and after his employment with United, he built single-family homes, apartment buildings and small shopping centers and hotels. Herb became active in Illinois politics and served on the Board of Directors of McCormick Place in downtown Chicago during its construction years. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Flagg Creek Reclamation District, and was President for many years before his retirement at the end of 2024.
Early in his United career while flying a United DC-6 out of Midway in Chicago to Denver, he met Joan Bulkeley, whom he called "the girl of his dreams." She was en route to the United Stewardess Training Center in Cheyenne, Wyo. It was love at first sight, and they were married on Dec. 21, 1962. They raised two daughters, Karen and Shari, and they lived in Oak Brook, Ill., for more than 60 years.
Herb and Joan enjoyed traveling the world together and being members at Christ Church of Oak Brook (from its beginning in the Butler School Gym) and at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook. Herb supported the USO of Illinois, The Salvation Army and many other service and charitable organizations. Herb really loved tennis, which he played until nearly age 90, even bringing home a few men's doubles club championship trophies. He also loved flying his Piper Cub (Model J-3) with his family.
Herb leaves behind his cherished and beautiful wife Joan, daughters Karen and Shari, sons-in-law Scott Krill and Thomas Hense, five beloved grandchildren (Samantha and Tyler Krill, and Tommy, Eric and Emilia Hense), many nieces, nephews, extended family members and many wonderful friends.
Herb said, upon receiving a Distinguished Boy Scout Award in 2006, that "Scouting taught me to try to do what is right every day." A family-favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3: 23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. (with Family words at 11:30 a.m.) at Sullivan Funeral Home, 60 South Grant Street, Hinsdale, Ill. Private Family Interment at Bronswood Cemetery, Oak Brook, Ill., immediately following.
The family requests any memorial gifts be made to Anchor Scholarship Foundation (for the USS Bulkeley, Attn: Joy Eyrolles, 5520 Greenwich Road, St. 204A, Virginia Beach, VA, 23463.
Scouting America-Twin Valley District, C/O Northern Star Scouting, 810 Madison Ave.,
Mankato, MN 56001.
https://donations.scouting.org/council/283/appeal/8020
Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
https://my.christchurch.us/Give/memorial-gifts
Salvation Army, Oakbrook Terrace Corps Community Center
1 S. 415 Summit Avenue, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/il/villa-park/s-415-summit-avenue-corps/
United Service Organizations "USO"
C/O Christine Murphy, Attn: MGPG Department
2111 Wilson Boulevard, VA, 22201-3052
https://uso.org
Arrangements by Sullivan Funeral Home, Hinsdale. 630-323-0275 or www.sullivanfuneralhomehinsdale.com