Stanley A. Clemenz

My Dad, Stan Clemenz, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. He was born in Cincinnati, OH on January 6, 1921, and at an early age his family moved to Lawrenceville, IN. He graduated from Sunman High School and earned a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology, Class of 1942. Dad was a first generation college student and with modest assistance from his family, he paid his way through college by working at a restaurant (where he developed his love for pies).

Dad’s life was largely defined by his career. His first job was with P.R. Mallory in Indianapolis, the company that invented the Duracell Battery, and with the onset of WW II, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy. Dad was stationed with the Bureau of Ships, and worked on the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll among other projects. After his military service, our family relocated to Cape Canaveral, FL when Dad joined the U.S. Space Program, working on unmanned flights and Project Mercury. In the early 1960’s we moved to Houston, TX where Dad worked at the Manned Spacecraft Center on Projects Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. He rarely talked about it, but I was so proud that Dad was part of the team in Mission Control that brought home the troubled Apollo XIII spacecraft (my Hero).

A downturn in the U.S. commitment to space exploration caused Dad to transition to the shipbuilding industry, working primarily for Litton Industries in Pascagoula, MS for the balance of his career. He held an engineering position and worked 40 hours a week until he retired at the age of 80. His passion was Space, and he strongly believed that the U.S. should forget about the Moon and instead commit to sending a manned spacecraft to Mars.

Dad held strong Christian beliefs and he remained a member of Berachah Church in Houston, TX for fifty-plus years until the time of his passing. Among the many loved ones who greeted Dad at heaven’s door were his parents, Albert and Sadie; two daughters, Gloria and Sandra; his beloved companion of many years, Eva; and his grandson, Steven. In addition to me, Dad will be greatly missed by his brother, Leroy; sister-in-law, Peggy; nephews, Gary and Dan; niece, Jill; grandsons, Cameron, Derek, and Kevin; Eva’s daughters, Brenda and Diane; and all of the extended family members of those previously listed. At the time of his death, Dad lived at Azalea Trace Retirement Community in Pensacola, FL. I want to thank the administrators and staff members who made his home of twelve years very joyful, and who provided exceptional care when it was needed. I also want to recognize Dad’s many friends at the Trace, especially Al, Bill, and Sam.

As time passes and life goes on as it always does, I think what I’ll remember most about my Dad was his unwavering zest for life and his desire for continuous learning – very inspiring. As a child he tore things apart, just so he could learn how to put them back together. At the age of 94 he was still interested in the development of robots that would extinguish shipboard fires. He was a big fan of FSU football; he learned to be a big fan of Hokies football. Dad had a great sense of humor and he loved to laugh, share a joke, and just have fun. He traveled extensively to other countries, flew on the Concorde, sailed on the QE2, served the communities he lived in, and he loved his family and they loved him back. “Dad’s was a life well-lived.” His daughter, Candi.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 9:30 am in the Oakbridge Manor Chapel at Azalea Trace, followed by a military/folding of the flag service at 11:00 am at the Barrancas National Cemetery located at Naval Air Station Pensacola. No flowers, please. Dad loved animals and he had several dogs and cats during his lifetime. If you are so inclined, a donation in his memory to your local Humane Society would be very appreciated.