Obituary of Donald L. Stallman

LATHAM- Donald L. Stallman passed away peacefully on Friday August 27, 2010, with his loving family at his side in the comfort of his home. A few days before his death, he dictated the following: I am brazen enough to write my own obituary. I was born in Rochester, New York, on February 23, 1930, to William and Clara Stallman. My father died in 1939, my mother in 1949. After graduating from high school, I enrolled at Hobart College in Geneva, New York. I dropped out of college to earn money, when all of a sudden I got an offer I simply couldn't refuse: a two-year, free, all-inclusive vacation in South Korea! Upon arrival, I was fortunate enough to join the Seventh Cavalry Regiment, an outfit that rose from the ashes of Little Big Horn and turned from horse soldiers to infantry. It distinguished itself in World War II in the Pacific Theater, being the first in Manila, the first in Tokyo and later, in the Korean War, the first in Phong Yan. I was extremely proud to be lucky enough to become a soldier of the Seventh Cavalier, known as the Garry Owen Regiment. During the Korean conflict, it earned a commendation for defending the largest regiment front in the history of the U.S. Army. This one-and-only regiment encircled three divisions of Chinese soldiers and held them for 45 days. During my tour of duty with Garry Owen, I received a Silver Star for gallantry, the Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts. When my vacation was over, I returned to work and at night attended University School of the University of Rochester. My older brother, Bud, invited me to become a manufacturer's agent with partners Bud Stallman and Ed Kolstad and moved to Albany to run the company's office there. I met and married the most wonderful woman in the world, Dolores Magoun. She brought with her not only grace, charity and poise but three wonderful children: Nancy, Terri and Jeff, and ultimately eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom seem to be successful and are very bright and promising. God bless Dolores for that! I have been semiretired and operating my own agency since leaving the Kolstad organization. This has enabled me to do business all over the world and to travel with my fabulous wife. My old friend Joe Volke always said, "Don Stallman, you've been everywhere!" So, Joe, don't cry for me, don't feel sad . . . because just think: Dolores has taken my hand and brought me to an everywhere I've never seen. Right this second, Dolores is leading me in continuing our journey to eternity. You can bet she did it for ten cents off! Affiliations: University Club of Albany, Van Schaick Island Country Club, Albany Institute of History and Art, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Society of Plumbers and Engineers A memorial gathering will take place on Tuesday September 21 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. A celebration of Don's life will take place at 6:30 immediately following the visitation. Rev. Nick Tebordo will officiate. Inurnment with military honors will take place on Wednesday at 1:00 pm at Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com