James Edgar Stageberg

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Stageberg, James Edgar 85, of complications from Parkinson's disease, died peacefully at home in Minneapolis early Wednesday. Architect, professor, beloved husband and father, James was born in Dawson, MN, a small town he loved, and he always kept in touch with its Class of '43. After serving in World War II at 19 as captain of a tugboat based in Antwerp, Belgium, he returned to the University of Minnesota, where he discovered in architecture not only a profession but also a lifelong passion. Following graduation from Harvard's Graduate School of Design, he returned to Minnesota and eventually formed an architectural partnership with Thomas Hodne ("The Hodne- Stageberg Partners"), followed by "The Stageberg Partners" and then "Stageberg Beyer Sachs." His designer's hand can be seen locally (among many other structures) in the remodeled Walter Library, Elmer L. Andersen Library, and Aquatic Center, all at the U of M; the Southdale Library; Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville; three ornamented parking structures spanning I-394 in downtown Minneapolis; and a wide variety of houses. He won many local and national design awards from the American Institute of Architects, as well as the highest honor of the Minnesota chapter, its Gold Medal. In 1996, he was one of five architects then living selected by members of AIA Minnesota as among Minnesota's twelve all-time best architects. Much as James loved designing architecture, he was equally dedicated to teaching it. His "Grade Two Design" at the U of M was known for its rigor. In 1991 he was awarded the University's Ralph Rapson Award for Distinguished Teaching. Also in 1991, James and his wife, writer Susan Allen Toth, co-wrote "A House of One's Own: An Architect's Guide To Designing the House of Your Dreams," published by Clarkson Potter. Architecture, however, was not James's whole life. He relished all kinds of cultural and physical adventures, and if anyone ever suggested trying something new, James would quickly interrupt: "Let's do it!" He will be missed beyond imagining by his survivors: his wife; from a previous marriage to Helen Michael, his children Beth Forbord, Frank Stageberg, Lucy Stageberg (Gherity), Jane Stageberg (Bade), Sally Adams, and Anne O'Keefe; his stepdaughter, Jennifer Toth; twelve grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. A funeral service will be held at St. Stephen's Church, 2211 Clinton Avenue South, Mpls., Monday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m. Memorials to St. Stephen's Shelter, 2211 Clinton Avenue South, Mpls. 55404, are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Published on July 8, 2010