Posted on: Saturday, December 7, 2002

Stewart McCombs, 72, ex-advertising executive

Associated Press

Longtime Honolulu advertising executive Stewart McCombs died Nov. 24 at his home in Washington state. He was 72.

McCombs, a Minneapolis native, moved to Hawai'i after serving as an Air Force pilot during the Korean War. He spent 38 years with Starr Seigle McCombs Advertising.

The Hawai'i Advertising Federation named him Ad Man of the Year in 1982. He also served as president of the Advertising Agency Association of America.

"No man has ever balanced work and family like Stu McCombs," former colleague David Koch said. "Once the nose of his car reached the Pali tunnel at the end of the day, work turned off."

McCombs also served on the board of the Pacific Foundation for Cancer Research, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii and Easter Seals Hawaii, and was president of the Economic Development Corporation of Hawai'i.

He was an avid golfer and was two-time USGA senior champion of Hawai'i.

He retired in 1994 and moved to Washington.

McCombs is survived by his wife, Keiki; son, Douglas; daughter, Sally McCombs Wilburn; sister, Joanne Hayward; and four grandchildren.