Stanley Birkbeck

Stanley Albert Birkbeck, 73, of Alta Vista, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home, with  family by his side, on December 21, 2024. He was born January 19, 1951 to Maxine (Newkirk) and Albert Birkbeck. He was often on a horse before he could walk and had his first horse by the age of three.

He went to Burlington High School and graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in Psychology. He spent his early years teaching Special Education as well as helping on the family ranch and starting his own cow – calf herd.

He was a man of faith and family. He was a steward of the land and believed we were on this earth to make it better before we leave. Stan’s passion was in agriculture and ranching. He loved the cowboy way of life and doing his ranching horseback. 

Stan’s wife, Debbie (Roeder), was a classmate at Burlington and as well as a fellow student at Emporia State where they became lifelong friends. They married on August 24, 1971. 

On their 51st anniversary in 2022 while moving cows off drought-stricken Flint Hills grass on that hot August morning, when wished Happy Anniversary, his reply was my only regret is I didn’t marry her sooner. 

In 2015, Stan & Debbie relocated their ranching and farming to Alta Vista, to be closer to family and run cattle in the Flint Hills. Stan quickly became occupied. He spent his early retirement years frequently working horse back to doctor and check grass cattle as well as gather and ship yearlings. Stan was quickly welcomed in the Alta Vista community and their local church. His humor, positive attitude and work ethic gained him many new friends and he truly was at home In Alta Vista. 

He was preceded in death by his parents. Stan is survived by his wife Debbie, of the home; son Jered Birkbeck and wife Oleta, of Little Cedar, IA; daughter Tammy Roddy and husband Dennis, of Alta Vista; sister Louise Link, of Berthoud, CO; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, December 26th, from 5 to 6:30 at Sawyer Funeral Home in Council Grove. Funeral services will be at 2:30, at Dwight Community Church on Friday, December 27th, with burial following at Alta Vista Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Dwight Community Church and sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.