Clement J. Stahl
February 24, 1934 - June 25, 2021

It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to this great man. Clem left us on Friday, June 25th. He was born in Rochester, NY on February 24, 1934, to Clem and Edna Stahl. He was the second of 7 children. His family taught him solid values and demonstrated their great work ethic which he carried throughout his life and contributed to his many successes and accomplishments as will be seen in this tribute to him.

In 1950, just before his 16th birthday, he joined the Marines somehow convincing them he was 18. He reported to Camp Lejuene in 1950 as Light Weapons Infantrymen and was immediately in demand for duty in the Korean War. He was sent to Paris Island for boot camp. For the next 2 years he served with the 2nd Marine Division 8th Marine Regt at Camp Lejuene, NC and overseas. Since his first real work experience was military, he carried this narrative through his military service and then covered his civil career through life many times concurrently.

In 1953 he married Betty Lincoln and subsequently had 5 children. She was a true army wife who followed him wherever he was stationed and raised 5 wonderful children under some less-than-ideal conditions.

After 7 years in the Marine Corps, his brother Don suggested the Army would be a better fit for him. Realizing that for a non-commissioned officer to gain a commission through study that is exactly what he did. He completed the Infantry Officer's basic course, the Infantry Officer's career course, the Industrial College and WAR College. He advanced to 2nd Lt. Infantry to full Colonel Infantry and then transitioned to full Colonel Military Intelligence. He served in a variety of command and staff assignments as Ptl. Leader, Co. Commander, Battalion Commander, Group Commander, Military Intelligence Commander and finished his career as Deputy J2 European command headquarters, Stuttgart Germany. In staff assignment he was Training and Operations Officer of both a battalion and infantry regiment. He later commended a training command which during the Vietnam War trained some 3000 infantry troops in 44 training areas spread out over 34 miles each day.

In addition to his military duties, he spent 30 years at Eastman Kodak Company in various positions ending as Personnel Manager for Research and Engineering, Government Systems Division. After retirement from Kodak, he was hired by Grumman Aerospace on Long Island as Manager in the Space Division. At Grumman Aerospace he was elected President of the Organization of Strategic Defense Initiative Contractors. This is an organization of 47 companies throughout the US working on STAR WARS. He retired from Grumman after 9 years and retired from the ARMY in 1994. He and Gayle were married in 1994. In his retirement he was active in the 391st regiment 98 division and was President of the Reserved Officers Association. He and Gayle spent several years enjoying their home on Keuka Lake and several months a year in Florida with their Florida family. They had many adventures, sailing on Windjammer sailing ships, rafting the Colorado river, horseback riding in the Superstition mountains of Arizona to mention a few. Moving back to Rochester in 2006, he became more active in the 391st regiment 98 division and was President of the Reserve Officers Association. He was also very active in the Naval Reserve Officers Association where he also served as President for several years.

But despite all his career accomplishments, his greatest pride was fathering his 5 great kids. Diane, Ken, Kathy, Dan, and Greg. Through his marriage to Gayle, he added two more sons, Jim, and Scott and 3 granddaughters whom he looked upon as his own.

He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Don, his stepson Jim Larry. He is survived by his wife Gayle, Betty Brady (Jack) the children's mother; his children, Diane (Mike) Stahl, Kathy (Frank) Herman, Gregory (Jodi) Stahl, Kenneth, Sr., Daniel; stepson, Scott Larry; brothers, Murray (Joanne), George (Carol Ann); Sisters, Jane (Nick) Nesci, Ann Badger (Nancy Johnson) and Betty Stahl; sister-in-law Patricia Stahl; 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Special friend Sheila and many nieces and nephews.

Clem was easily loved by all who knew him. His strength, wisdom, intelligence, dry sense of humor, his loyalty, his quiet ability to listen and give advice when asked for it, his fondness of bourbon, his pride at being the Patriarch of this clan are only a few of the reasons why we his family thank God for blessing us with this great and gentle man and why the deep sorrow and loss in our hearts will never go away. Thank you, Clem, Dad, Grandpa, Great-grandpa, Clempa and Uncle Clem. You are and always will be in our hearts.

If anyone wish to contribute to his honor, please do so to Mercy Flight, 2420 Brickyard Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424. A Celebration of Life will be July 11th at the Rochester Yacht Club, 5000 St. Paul Blvd from 2-4. At 3pm there will be a Tribute to Clem by General Norb Rappl.

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