Richard Staab

Staab, Richard “Rick”, 72 of Chandler, AZ was called home August 9, 2025. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Rick was 1 of 7 children of Morton Louis and Francis Marie Staab. Rick attended Bourgade High School active in track, baseball and football. Some would suggest he occasionally tested the nuns’ faith with his antics.

Rick went on to follow in his mother’s footsteps in healthcare, although not in nursing. Rick first became an EMT working with Aid Ambulance and shortly after was accepted in the Tri-City Paramedic program (first of its kind, East Valley multiple agency program). Throughout his Paramedic career, Rick made a difference in thousands of people directly and indirectly showed by multiple letters of appreciation. Aid Ambulance became Arizona Ambulance and Rescue (AA&R), under the direction of Dr. Richard Melde and Dr. Gerry Hooper. While working at AA&R in East Mesa, he met the love of his life, his future wife, Charlann. When she accepted a position at Page Hospital, Rick followed as the Paramedic Preceptor for the National Park Service hosted through Samaritan Health Services, supporting education for Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon EMTs/Paramedics. Rick and Charlann transferred back to Mesa just prior to the arrival of their first child where Rick developed skills as a Firefighter/Paramedic with Rural Metro Sun City West followed by Samaritan Air Evac as a Flight Paramedic and ultimately, Flight Paramedic Supervisor. Rick returned to the fire service with Scottsdale Rural Metro while occasionally teaching for Central Arizona College Pre-hospital program. Rick influenced a new generation of EMTs/IEMT and Paramedics in rural Casa Grande, Eloy, Kearney, Gila River and Ak Chin communities. Due to a work related back injury, Rick retired from the fire department and finished out his career as an Emergency Department Tech at Honor Health Scottsdale before health issues made it difficult to practice his trade.

One could say Rick had a passion for fishing, in fact most family vacations were typically planned around water and where he could drop a hook and line. When he was not fishing, he was always willing to lend a hand to friends or neighbors and in his early Paramedic career volunteered with the MCSO Sherriff’s Lake patrol.

After retirement, he was content with “hanging with the pups”, always trimming something in the yard, wood working and playing guitar, punctuated with more urban lake and occasionally ocean fishing.

Rick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlann and children; Hope (Brian), Christopher (Brooke), Nathan (Jacqueline) and Amber; four grandchildren (Kalen, Brian Jr., Alex and Noah), two brothers (Doug [Judy] and Timothy [Annette]), two sisters (Sharon, Mary Claire [Dennis]) and many talented nieces and nephews. Rick was preceded in death by his sister Christine, brother Roger and parents.

Rick’s fast smile, charming demeanor and occasional hijinks are and will be greatly missed. He is remembered for his big heart, giving nature and difficulty sitting still.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, November 15th. More details will be provided later.

Those wishing to honor his memory are invited to support Habitat for Humanity (Arizona) or Friends for Life in lieu of flowers.

Habitat for Humanity: Https://habitatcaz.org/support/tribute-gifts/          

Friends for Life: Https://azfriends.org/support/donate/