07/01/2026
The end has finally come, and the words aren't easy to find. How do you wrap up a lifetime of family history in one post?
This has truly been the definition of a family business.
It began in 1958, when the Startare family founded City Ambulance. After Mr. Startare's passing in 1979, his wife, Mrs. Startare, continued operating the business with the support of her son, Fred Sundquist, who eventually took over the company. His wife, Linda, even earned her EMT certification so they could work side by side in the early years. In 2001, the family purchased Yellow Cab and proudly renamed it City Cab.
Their children quite literally grew up in the office. Their son, Andy, kept the paramedics on their toes (and probably drove them a little crazy), and in his early twenties, he and his friends may have made just a few too many late-night trips in the City Cab taxis.
Fred and Linda's daughter, Renee, began working alongside her parents, grandmother, and aunt when she was just 15 years old. For the past 20 years, she has proudly served as the company's Chief Financial Officer. I married Andy in 2009, and about ten years ago, I officially became part of the family business. What began with helping in the office with billing and clerical work eventually led to the privilege of serving as Chief Operating Officer for the past seven years. It has been a role—and an experience—that I will always cherish.
I've watched my nephew spend summers detailing cars, mowing the grass, and helping in the shop. My own daughters have grown up here too—playing "paramedic," pretending to dispatch taxis, and looking forward to our Friday donut tradition. This place has been so much more than a business. It has been a second home.
Over the years, so much has changed. In 2019, our family made the difficult decision to sell the ambulance division, while continuing to operate our taxi and transportation services. Since then, Renee and I have stood side by side through every challenge and every success. It has been quite an adventure.
We've also been blessed with some of the most incredible employees. Many became family, and some dedicated more years to this company than either Renee or I have. Their loyalty, hard work, and friendship are gifts we will never forget.
Unfortunately, rising costs in fuel, insurance, and wages have made it impossible to continue operating sustainably. We explored every possible option before making this decision, and while it has been incredibly painful, we know it is the right one.
I don't know exactly what the future holds for our family, but I do know this: we will miss this place more than words can express. We'll cherish the memories, the friendships, the laughter, the difficult days that made us stronger, and, most importantly, the privilege of serving this community for so many years.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you to every employee who became family.
Thank you to every customer who trusted us.
Thank you to every community partner who stood beside us.
Thank you to this incredible community for allowing us to be part of your lives.
For nearly seven decades, this business wasn't just where our family worked—it was where we grew up. It was where lifelong friendships were formed, where countless memories were made, and where we had the privilege of serving generations of families throughout Humboldt County.
As we lock these doors for the final time, we aren't just saying goodbye to a business. We're saying goodbye to a chapter of our family's life that began nearly 70 years ago.
That chapter may be ending, but the memories, the friendships, and the gratitude we carry with us never will.
Thank you for letting us be part of your story. It has been the privilege of a lifetime.
❤️ Catherine
