Stan, a well-known glider pilot, died at age 60 October 27, 1986, at the Easton, Washington Airport of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was born May 24, 1926, in Spokane, Washington. Stan was living in Kittitas, Washington, at the time of his death. Stan graduated from Hill Military academy in 1944, a private college prep school in Portland, Oregon.

Stan enlisted in the Army in July 1944, served in the 82nd Airborne during WWII. Following the war, he attended Washington State College, Whitman College, and Montana State University. Stan jumped at Missoula 1951-55 while living in Seattle. He then worked for Boeing Co. as a design illustrator until 1969.

His interest in gliding began when he joined the Boeing employee’s soaring club inn 1956. Stan obtained his glider instructor’s rating, and for 20 years was a self-employed glider instructor working with thousands of people using the Issaquah, Washington Skyport.