RENO, Nev. — Clearstar Financial Credit Union is mourning the loss of longtime board member Stephan Kaylor, who lost his battle with cancer.

First elected to the board of directors in 1979, Kaylor's 28-year service included three terms as chairman. During that time, Clearstar Financial made the transition from an institution with little technology and modest services, to an institution with a wide menu of services and electronic options. Technological advances including real-time computer processing, automated phone banking, Internet banking, ATMs, and the credit union's Web site.

At the 50th anniversary of the credit union in 1999, Kaylor said the most positive change he'd seen in the credit union was “the expansion of services to members and still maintaining personal attention.”

Born in Shelbyville, Indiana, Kaylor moved to Reno in the early 1960s to serve as a survival instructor at the Stead air base. He ultimately earned an education degree from the University of Nevada-Reno and began teaching in the Washoe County Schools. Later, he completed a master's degree and entered administration, serving as principal at Lincoln Park, Mamie Towles, and Hidden Valley elementary schools.