Denny Nusbaum, 85, was born to Earl and Norma Nusbaum. He was the oldest of three children and was raised with his middle sister, Beverly, and younger brother, Wally.
He grew up in Bellfountain, Oregon, working in his family’s agriculture business while attending the local school system. During the start of his senior year, his family moved to Philomath where he graduated Philomath High School.
While at PHS, Denny met the love of his life, Joan Carter, who was a cheerleader and a year behind him. His life soon centered around spending time with her and preparing for the next chapter.
After graduation, Denny served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard completing basic training at Fort Ord, California. After basic, he attended and graduated from the Army Culinary School learning how to cook. Later in life he often prepared and made sure to pass down his famous “top secret” Army Sausage Gravy recipe to his grandchildren.
With his military obligation completed, Denny returned to Philomath and on July 23, 1959, he fulfilled his dream of marrying his high school sweetheart, Joan. They built a life and family together lasting 64 years up to his passing.
Soon after marriage, Denny purchased the old Standard Oil Service Garage business located in downtown Philomath and entered the world of gas stations and auto repair. His daily pressed, solid white, Standard Oil uniform never stayed clean very long as he was always conducting truck and auto repairs while waiting on an ever-growing gas customer base. He also started his long career as a Philomath volunteer firefighter.
Denny loved people and as Philomath grew, so did his business. In 1970, he built a new full-service Chevron Station just across the side street from his service garage building for which he is remembered most. His business plan for success was simple and twofold — make every person that visits his business a regular customer and provide jobs to local high school students looking for work. He always seemed to have a dog biscuit at the ready for any pets traveling with his customers.
During the mid-1990s times were changing and area full-service gas stations were being transformed into multi-fueling bays with a Food Mart and an attached McDonald’s restaurant. Denny was ready for the next step and rebuilt his business to fit ever-changing customer needs.
After 46 years of service to the Philomath community, Denny decided it was time to retire and start traveling with his wife, Joan, to all the places they dreamed of someday going. He also wanted to spend more time with grandchildren. He reluctantly sold his business so he could pursue the next chapter of his life with travel and family.
Denny is remembered for his cheerful demeanor, helping people in need, a love of animals (especially his cat) and enjoying the outdoors. Once retired, he loved visiting his prior customers and never seemed to miss an opportunity to do so.
He and Joan spent their retirement years with many activities. In between traveling, Denny and Joan would spend time watching and feeding birds, growing food in their garden that was shared with the Philomath Food Bank and watching great-grandkids splashing in their backyard creek on hot summer days. Both he and Joan loved to spoil grandchildren and great grandkids, taking them on many trips to Newport beaches.
Denny is survived by his brother, Wally Nusbaum; wife, Joan; three children, Chris Nusbaum, Zina Bennet and Kimb Nusbaum; two grandchildren; and three great-grandkids.
Per his specific request, Denny did not want a funeral upon his passing. He wanted his life to be remembered as a beginning and not an end. His wish was for anyone who knew him to please support animal rescue organizations or cancer research institutions.
