Former American professional basketball player, Stan and his wife, Karen, were together for more than four decades. She likely played a supportive role in his life and career.
Stan Love had a notable basketball career, playing as a power forward in both the NBA and ABA.
He was drafted ninth overall in the 1971 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets.
Over his four-year professional career, he played for the Bullets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs.
Tragically, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, Kevin shared the news of his father’s passing at the age of 76 on Instagram in a heartfelt post.
He reflected on their bond, his father’s strength, and the valuable lessons he had learned from him.
Stan Love had been battling an undisclosed illness for months, with the final weeks being harrowing to witness.
Stan Is Survived By His Wife, Karen And Their Three Children!
Stan Love was married to Karen Love and their partnership spanned decades.
She has largely maintained a private life but is known to have been a neonatal intensive care nurse.
Karen and Stan Love had three children: Kevin, Collin, and Emily Love. She has been a strong supporter of Kevin throughout his basketball career.
While the details about Karen are under wraps, it is known that she is mourning the loss of her beloved husband.
Karen and Stan Love were together for several decades, but the exact number of years they were married isn’t widely documented.
Given that their middle son, Kevin Love, was born in 1988, it’s likely they had been together for at least 40 years before Stan’s passing in 2025.
Now, regarding the other two children, they have pursued their careers in sports.
Collin Love, the eldest, played basketball professionally in Europe before transitioning to different interests.
Similarly, the youngest sibling, Emily, pursued equestrian sports. She was passionate about horseback riding and competed in various events, though she didn’t follow a professional path in basketball like her brothers.
Kevin, the most well-known of the three, is a professional basketball player. Kevin Love is known for his rebounding skills and three-point shooting.
He has played for teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat.
Kevin Love Publicly Shared The News Of His Father, Stan Love’s Passing Via Instagram!
After tragic demise of his father, Stan, Kevin shared a heartfelt tribute expressing his deep gratitude, saying:
Dad, you fought for a long time. The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate – I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero…
On the top of that, on January 13, Kevin honored his Dad Stan by wearing his 1968-1969 University of Oregon varsity jacket in his hometown of Portland.
Many former teammates, NBA players, and fans expressed their condolences.
The Miami Heat acknowledged Kevin’s absence from the team, as he had been away for weeks to be with his father.
When asked about Kevin Love, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said:
We feel for him and what he’s going through right now, So the thoughts are more about that, being there for him. We all know how much he means to us in our locker room, but this transcends that.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Stan Love’s family, friends, and admirers.
Rest In Peace, Legendary One!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kevin is a five-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.
- Stan Love was the younger brother of Mike Love, the lead singer of The Beach Boys.
- He played for the Oregon Ducks from 1968 to 1971 and won First-team All-Pac-8 twice.
