It is with a very heavy heart that I comment on the gem of a guy than Stan was. Few in the game had a deeper devotion to their craft and sharing it with others. He could break down the most technical agronomy into very simple terms that anyone could understand. Though he was an ardent supporter of all that the USGA did, he wasn't afraid to point out when things needed improvement within the organization.
My first interaction with Stan had a rugged start. I reached out to him in late July, 2008, to try an get more discussion going between the turf gang and the arborist side of maintaining golf properties. He had been out helping the Philly superintendents sustain their grass that awful Summer for 21 straight days. He was tired and a bit gruff with me saying, "Kris I don't have time for idle chit-chat." I said that I'd get back with him later that year when things slowed down.
That Winter, at a PSU sponsored turf function, he came over to me and apologized for being short with me during that prior phone conversation, saying he had been worn down. We then talked about the need for the arborist and turf folks to interact more and share what we were seeing and experiencing in the field. Over the last several years, our relationship had gotten closer, and he revealed more and more of his affable, generous nature, always willing to help a situation if he could. As Joe Bausch mentioned, he was gracious enough to speak about the 2010 Pebble Beach Open set-up to our lunch group, that Summer of the At&T National, at our Aronimink event.
He will be sorely missed. I'm still numb at the thought that he won't be ambling along the fairways at Merion in 2013. It is my intent to set up a J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship in his memory. Our planned, week-long, 2013 U. S. Open shindig will have the donation funds from that event dedicated to that endeavor. Stan will most certainly be with us in spirit that week.
All who knew Stan experienced a man of rare quality and dedication. We'll miss him, but let us try and give to the game... and others... a bit more when possible. In that manner we will surely honor his memory in a fitting way. RIP Stan.
Respectfully,
Kris