Guenter Adam Stork

Guenter was born on January 31, 1936 in Frankfurt, Germany to Willy and Ava Stork. He grew up in and around Frankfurt. He told harrowing stories of living in Frankfurt during a time of war when the city was frequently bombed, sending the family into the bomb shelters at night, but he also told heartwarming stories of growing up and exploring the country that he loved. Guenter studied and apprenticed in Germany as a Draftsman/Engineer and worked there for a time at an engineering firm. In 1962, he came to East Lansing to work temporarily for the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. That move became permanent when he met and married Margo Wells on May 11, 1968. Together they raised two daughters, Erika Stork and Karin Stork Nelson, and enjoyed over 50 years of marriage. Margo passed away on September 9, 2020.

Guenter spent the remainder of his career at the MSU Cyclotron, where he was a valuable member of the team that designed and built several superconducting cyclotrons to investigate the properties of rare isotopes. He loved his job, but also enjoyed just hanging around with the people he worked with. Even after his retirement, he often returned to the Cyclotron at lunchtime to eat and talk with his colleagues or went to “Nuclear Beer” happy hours to stay connected. Of course when he went to lunch, he rode his bike there, as he rode his bike to work every single day of his career–rain or shine.

Guenter loved to build things. He was a lifelong woodworker and model train builder. He also loved to garden, hike, cross country ski, ride his bike, and sail his Sunfish. He loved to spend time with his three grandchildren, who will always cherish the time they spent with Opa. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church and was strong in his Catholic faith. Guenter was proud of his German heritage, remaining a German citizen for his entire life. In the United States, he often socialized with other German friends, celebrating their traditions together, and was an active member of the Liederkranz Club of Lansing, where he and Margo regularly attended dinner dances and socialized.

Guenter was preceded in death by his wife, Margo (Wells) Stork. He is survived by his two daughters: Erika Stork and Karin Stork Nelson (Eric); grandchildren Bridget, Luke, and Jack Nelson; sister Waltraud Fink of Markobel, Germany.

A memorial service for Guenter will be held on January 20, 2024 at 1pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home East Lansing Chapel. Visitation will take place from 11am until the time of service.

Some of Guenter’s best memories were made while vacationing with family at Glen Lake and exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. https://friendsofsleepingbear.org/donate-now/

Livestream viewing: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/96998