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STANFORD PHELPS Obituary

PHELPS--Stanford. Stanford Newton Phelps, died peacefully at home in Greenwich, CT on June 6, 2019 at age 84. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Richmond Phelps; his son, George; his daughter, Catherine, and son-in-law, Daniel McNamara; his grandchildren, Maxwell, Garrett and Ford; his brother, Barry Phelps; his sister Jeanette, and brother-in-law, Whitney Evans. Mr. Phelps was chairman of the board of S.N. Phelps & Co., Commonwealth Oil Refining Company (CORCO) and Clear Springs Land Company, home of Clear Springs blueberries. His earlier career in the bond business included stints with Citibank, F.S. Smithers and Drexel Burnham Lambert where he started their high-yield bond department. He served as second lieutenant in the United States Army from October 1956 to April 1957. Mr. Phelps was born in Rochester, New York, the son of Jeanette Coon and Stanford Newton Phelps. The family moved to Detroit and later back to Rochester when Mr. Phelps left to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in 1948. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1952, and subsequently from Yale University in 1956 and Harvard Business School in 1960. Mr. Phelps was devoted to his church, First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich in Greenwich, CT. Mr. Phelps was a generous supporter of his church and many educational and Christian organizations, including Hartwick College from which he received an honorary Doctor of Laws, Harvard Business School, Keck Graduate Institute where he was on the Board and received a Doctorate of Applied Life Sciences, honoris causa, The Madeira School, Navy Seal Foundation, Polk State College, and Yale Peabody Museum where he served on the Peabody Leadership Council. Throughout his life, however, his highest charitable priority remained his high school alma mater, Exeter. In Mr. Phelps, Exeter lost one of its most loyal and enthusiastic supporters. The breadth of his commitments grew from a heart-felt devotion to education, his desire to improve opportunities for Exeter students and his deep respect for Exeter's faculty. He was most proud of his Phelps Scholar-Athlete program through which he provided one hundred seven students with scholarships to attend Exeter. Through his philanthropy, Mr. Phelps sought to inspire others to support the school he loved. In an address to the student body in 2001, he put it this way, "You will be remembered for what you give - not for what you get". In all aspects of his life, Mr. Phelps was guided by two principles he learned while a student of Greek and Latin at Exeter: Athanatos esti psyche, "The soul is immortal," and Nil sine Deo, "Nothing without God." All those who knew Mr. Phelps will remember him and take comfort in these two phrases. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends and by the school he loved. A service in celebration of the life of Stanford Newton Phelps will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, One West Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 www.fpcg.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Jun. 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for STANFORD PHELPS

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Frank Gennaro

June 30, 2023

I am saddened to find out Stan has passed. I worked with Stan at Drexel for a short while and we spoke for several years after. I have thought of him often over the years and appreciate the positive influence he had in my life. Stan was a good and honorable man. The world was a better place with him in it.

October 1, 2019

Stan called me, "Whippersnaps" and often reminded me that he was as flexible as a steel post. For his birthday one year, I got him a steel post. So many wonderful and learned memories with Stan. He was so important to my life and I will never forget him. On the wings of angels Stan.

Lisa

Mattias Wesmtan

June 21, 2019

As i heard the sad news of Stan passing my first thoughts were that we have lost s great man but at least i had the opportunity to introduce my young son to him some time ago. I think it speaks to the quality of Stan that people feel that you become better persons just by knowing him. Stan new to tell the difference between right and wrong and he never backed down. He was an example to all of us and we have all learnt from him. Stan will be missed but he left the world a better place than he found it.

C H

June 20, 2019

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who have past on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. ( Psalm 116:15)

Carole McKenzie

June 19, 2019

Stan was the definition of a visionary. One of those people who influenced so many lives, and could make you think that anything was possible. Im proud of Stans generosity and the great things that Stan did for Bartow and Polk County, Florida. We are better off for that day he discovered his latest entrepreneurial vision and adventure in Bartow. I was fortunate in many ways to know him. He taught me lessons that I will never forget, and brought professional growth opportunities to me that would not have been possible without him. My sincere condolences to his family.

June 18, 2019

Betsy (and family) - it was always so wonderful to see you and Stan on campus at Exeter - you were a good team, and his irreverent good humor about your relationship, along with his genuine respect and love for you was great fun to hear and see. Stan was an amazing man and will be missed by many whose lives he touched.
Melissa Orlov, former Trustee PEA

Lynn Baldwin

June 18, 2019

Mrs Phelps, Cate, George, my staff and I am send our most sincere condolences for the loss of your husband and father. We all fondly remember many happy times at the lake house. Mr Phelps was the most gracious of hosts and we were honored to be part of the many celebrations your family hosted. We remember him fondly and sends thoughts and prayers. Lynn Baldwin

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Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich

One West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT

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