Ferdinand "Terry" Stent

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Ferdinand Thieriot Stent, known to all who loved and admired him as "Terry." A man of immense talents, intellect, and profound kindness, Terry lived a full and extraordinary life marked by service to his country, distinction in aviation and business, leadership in the arts, and an enduring devotion to his family.

Born into a family rooted in San Francisco, Terry discovered his passion for aviation early in life when he accompanied Frank Fuller who landed his Grumman Mallard seaplane at Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe. A natural leader and scholar, Terry served as student-body president and valedictorian at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose before heading east to Yale University, where he competed as an All-American swimmer and graduated in 1961. Following college, he pursued his love of flying by joining the United States Navy, completing flight training in Pensacola, Florida to earn his wings. He served with distinction on the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier as a decorated F-8 Crusader pilot during the Vietnam War, flying 119 missions with extraordinary skill and bravery. His time in the military forged a lifelong reverence for service to his country, discipline, and the camaraderie of the skies.

Following his military service, Terry continued his academic pursuits, graduating with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968. Throughout his life, he uniquely balanced a sharp business acumen with an enduring love for flying and aviation. That passion for the skies translated into a distinguished, decades-long career as a pilot with Delta Air Lines. Respected by his colleagues for his meticulous professionalism and calm demeanor in the cockpit, Terry represented the very finest traditions of commercial aviation while skillfully applying his keen business intellect across many endeavors. His devotion to the cockpit was personal as well as professional; driven by a pure joy of flight, Terry continued to fly his own plane for nearly forty years. His deep compassion for others was especially evident from the pilot’s seat, where he volunteered his time and aircraft for countless "Angel Flights" and Special Olympics airlifts to support families and athletes in need. A particularly memorable Angel Flight occurred shortly after the September 11 attacks when Terry and his long-time co-pilot and fellow Navy veteran, Jack Dempsey, answered the call to fly critical medical supplies into New York when civilian airspace was largely closed.

After retiring from Delta, Terry directed his vision, leadership, and generosity toward championing the arts. A passionate collector and visionary patron of American art, he served as Chairman of the Board of both the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. His stewardship left an indelible mark on both institutions, helping to expand collections, broaden public access, and support future generations of scholars and curators through enduring endowments that bear his and his wife’s name.

Yet above all of his accomplishments, Terry was defined by his decency and warmth. Described by his brother Peter as a “perfect 10+” role model, he was a man who was genuinely kind to all, treating everyone he encountered with grace, humility, and respect. Central to his life was his wife, Margaret, who was the love of his life for 63 years. They loved each other deeply, sharing an adventurous spirit and a wonderful life together. Alongside close friends and family, Terry and Margaret loved to travel the world, hit the slopes on ski trips, ride horses at his brother Peter’s ranch, play golf, and scuba dive in destinations across the globe. Their remarkable partnership was a testament to enduring love, mutual respect, and shared purpose—the cornerstone around which their family grew and flourished.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents Yvonne and Ferdie Stent. He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret; his children: Suzanne Hartigan (Tim) and Christopher Stent (Jackie); his grandchildren: Kelly Hartigan, Casey Hartigan James (Fletcher), Dillon Hartigan, Emily Stent Moore (Greg), Jessica Stent McGovern (Michael), and Daniel Stent (Alli); his cherished great-grandchildren: Jackson, Julie, Caroline, Grace, Jack, and Hart; his brother Peter Stent (Nora); and his cousins who became brothers: Peter Thieriot (Marian), the late Robin Thieriot, Dade Thieriot, and Cameron Thieriot (Tammy).

Terry leaves behind a legacy of integrity, generosity, and quiet excellence that will continue to guide and inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 11:00 am at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mt. Vernon Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30338.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas or the charity of your choice.