Standish grew up with merchandising in his blood. He served as an executive with the H.C. Capwell Company and with Sears Roebuck. His last position was that of Pacific Coast Manager for Butler Bros. in San Francisco.

Standish was a pilot, and while returning home from a business trip to Los Angeles, the plane that he was flying crashed into the ocean and he was killed, at the age of 50.

He was married to Melba Mae McMeen, and they had no children. According to Ruth, who is married to Standish's nephew Stanly Jr., Standish was a wonderful, very caring man with a delightful sense of humor.