Editorial

Niwot recently lost two men who left incredibly large shoes to fill. Both men died unexpectedly in their early 70s, while still very much active in their businesses.

Art Stapp was Stapp Interstate Toyota, once located in south Longmont, and now located east of town off I-25. Bert Steele was The Niwot Market, in Niwot’s Cottonwood Square Shopping Center.

Though their businesses were very different, each, in his own way, left an indelible mark on our community.

There were many similarities, though you might not think so at first glance. Both ran family businesses for many years, employing their children, who have the challenge of carrying on their fathers’ legacies.

Both were incredibly humble men, with stories of their kindness, generosity, compassion, wisdom, and courage in the face of adversity, shared among the large crowds that attended their respective services, with many hearing them for the first time.

And each had an impact on the Left Hand Valley Courier, with actions that may seem insignificant, but which reflect their character.

Art Stapp, and his wife Debbi, have generously supported individuals, schools, sports and activities in Niwot and beyond. Art was one of the individuals behind the construction of a badly needed weight room at Niwot High School, and countless scoreboards in the Niwot-Longmont area were sponsored by Stapp Toyota. There are many more examples of their largely behind-the-scenes generosity. But it wasn’t just limited to sports.

When the Courier began publishing an Arts Student of the Week feature, Art and Debbi Stapp stepped up to sponsor it through the Niwot High Boosters. Without their support, the accomplishments of many NHS student musicians, artists and actors would have gone unnoticed.

Bert Steele made The Niwot Market a true marketplace, finding a way to establish not only his grocery store where several before him had failed, but also hosting a florist, a jeweler, a home decor business, a sushi restaurant, and a deli, just to name a few. His willingness to step up for every pancake breakfast, Easter egg hunt, or other Niwot event was legendary, though he never sought credit or recognition.

When the Courier needed a place to have print editions of the newspaper dropped off in a central location for carriers to pick up, Bert graciously offered the back room of The Niwot Market. No rent, just a small break in his advertising costs.

There are lessons for all of us to learn from their lives, though they ended too soon. Perhaps Tim and Carrie Wise summed it up best with their sign outside of Wise Buys Antiques: Be More Like Bert…and Art.