Stewart "Stu" Williams McCombs Jr., 72, longtime Honolulu ad executive, died Nov. 24 at his home in Washington state. STEWART WILLIAMS MCCOMBS JR. / 1930-2002
Starr Seigle McCombs
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advertising executive
won national recognitionBy Erika Engle
eengle@starbulletin.comHe was born Oct. 3, 1930, in Minneapolis but grew up in Phoenix, where he also attended college. McCombs served as an Air Force pilot during the Korean War and later settled in Honolulu, where he spent 38 years at Starr Seigle McCombs Advertising.
McCombs' local community activities included service on the boards of the Pacific Foundation for Cancer Research, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Children's Advocacy of Honolulu, Easter Seals Hawaii and as president of the Economic Development Corp. of Hawaii.
David Koch, a former colleague at the agency, remembered McCombs to staff members who never knew him.
"He was 5 foot 10 inches, about, lean with steely blue eyes. He looked exactly like the Marlboro Man with a Stetson hat on. Without the hat he was bald and the first to joke about it."
Koch described McCombs as balanced.
"No man has ever balanced work and family like Stu McCombs. Once the nose of his car reached the Pali tunnel at the end of the day, work turned off.
"Home was all about his bride, Keiki, a wartime pen pal from Virginia."
The Hawaii Advertising Federation named him Ad Man of the Year in 1982. The Advertising Agency Association of America presented him with a silver medal in 1984; he had also served as the organization's president.
McCombs retired from the agency in 1994 at age 65 and planned to move to Washington, Koch said.
"Days before departure he took one of his unorthodox golf swings and broke his neck, literally broke his neck. Turned out there was a tumor wrapped in, out and around his spinal column."
Eight years ago, doctors in Seattle gave him five months to live.
An avid golfer and two-time USGA Senior Champion of Hawaii, McCombs also served as first tee announcer for the Ladies' Hawaiian Open. After moving to Bainbridge Island, Wash., he remained active in golf, playing at Wing Point Golf and Country Club.
McCombs is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Keiki; son Douglas of Bainbridge Island; daughter Sally McCombs Wilburn of Volcano on the Big Island; sister Joanne Hayward of Phoenix; and four grandchildren.
Arrangements are pending with Kass Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island. The family is planning a private celebration of McCombs' life. Contributions in his name may be made to the Children's Justice Center of Hawaii, 3019 Pali Hwy., Honolulu 96817.