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Stanley Ivan Dodson

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University of Washington University of Wisconsin Yale University

Stanley Dodson Obituary

Stanley Ivan Dodson July 26, 1944 - August 23, 2009 Stanley Ivan Dodson was born in Lincoln, IL on July 26, 1944 to Ivan Frank Dodson and Dorothy Wanda Dodson. He spent his early childhood in Southern Illinois living in Mt. Pulaski, Anna, and Albion. When Stanley was ten, his father moved the family to western Colorado to prospect for uranium. The family loved the area so much that they stayed in Grand Junction. Stanley graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1962. He attended Yale University and graduated with B.A. in Science in 1966. While at Yale University, Stanley met the love of his life, Virginia Elizabeth Joseph, who became his wife on January 16, 1967. Following the wedding, Stanley and Virginia moved to Washington State and enrolled in a doctorate program at the University of Washington. Stanley received his Doctorate in Zoology in 1970 from the University of Washington. After graduation, Stanley and his family moved to Wisconsin and Stanley became an Assistant Professor of Zoology. Stanley was a Professor of Zoology at the University of Wisconsin from 1970 until his retirement in 2008. Stanley was a true naturalist, and loved to share his enthusiasm and knowledge with others. Stanley had many passions in life including bicycling, tai chi and sensing hands, running, gardening, bird watching, and music. He was a wonderful father, friend, teacher, and mentor. He will be deeply missed by many. Stanley is survived by his wife, Virginia Elizabeth Dodson; his daughter, Sarah Emily Dodson Wilson; his son-in-law, Ian David Sobaczewski Wilson; his grandchildren, Kate Lorraine Wilson and Henry August Wilson; his mother, Dorothy Wanda Dodson, and sisters, Dian April Dunn (Frank) and Sarah Annette Martin. He was preceded in death by his father, Ivan Frank Dodson. There will be a memorial service for Stanley at the Colorado National Monument, Fruita entrance to the Bookcliff Overlook at 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 28, 2009. A memorial service is planned for Labor Day weekend in McFarland, Wisconsin. Funeral arrangements by Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction, CO. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Rocky Mt. Biological Laboratory, in memory of Stanley Dodson, to RMBL, PO Box 519, Crested Butte, CO 81224.

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Published by The Daily Sentinel on Aug. 26, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Stanley Dodson

15 Entries

Chris Tracy

September 12, 2009

Stanley and I arrived in Madison within a few months of each other in 1970, only in my case it was in the maternity ward at UW hospital - my Dad (Dick Tracy) was studying for his PhD at the time and I was the newborn. Later, I did my own PhD in the department and spent many hours and semesters in classes with Stanley, both as a student and as his TA. He always greeted me with a smile and was genuinely interested in how we students were doing, both professionally and personally. His gentle demeanor and love for nature were infectious. I have taken a small piece of that with me. My heartfelt condolences and best wishes go to the whole family.

archnprabu

September 4, 2009

Dear Ginny,

What meaning Stan added to our life.. his tender push - soft as a petal, brimming with smiles, joyful and lively chats,... He was always out there, warm and affectionate. Don't really know which is more - how he loved or how he is loved - these two questions will remain ever swirling in their own yin-n-yang tangle.

Our prayers are with you & your family during these trying times.

Melissa Ponik

September 3, 2009

Dear Dodson family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I am a UW student who has had the priviledge of taking a few of Professor Dodson's classes. I had also met with him this summer, as he was to oversee my independant study this fall. I am greatly saddend to learn of his passing, as his joy for life and nature was very contagious. His warm and welcoming smile was a comfort to all of his students. My sincere condolences to your family.

Connie Miller-Jones

September 1, 2009

Ginny,
I was a classmate of Stanley's at GJHS and have wonderful memories of him. He was person of great quality and it is a blessing to have known him. I am so glad to have met you at the class reunion in 2002 and to have had the chance to see Stan again after 40 years. May you and your family find comfort and consolation. God bless.

Khiang Seow

September 1, 2009

Dear Ginny,

It is still a shock to me that Stanley has taken leave of this physical world. It feels like it was only yesterday that he introduced himself as I stepped into the Tai Chi Center for sensing hands class - his welcoming smile, his friendliness, his willingness to share knowledge will remain forever in my mind for that's the Stanley I know. I will see you in Madison / McFarland. Take care.

Claire Walchl

September 1, 2009

Dear Virginia and family, the news of Stanley's passing came as such a shock to all of us. I met Stanley in Madison at the TaiChi Center. I am a certified Fundamentals Instuctor and teach with Pat Culotti once a week and have many classes in the Milwaukee area. Stanley helped me in my first explorations with "Push Hands" at Good Harvest in Pewaukee and I am so grateful. I went to Grand Master Chen and Master Ben Lo trainings and often visited with him. What an incredibly nice person for this world to now miss. What a gap we will have. I am sorry for your family'
s loss and wish you many fond memories of a awesome miracle given us here.
Blessings, Claire Walchli

Karen Brookhyser

August 31, 2009

I hope that you will find memories that bring you some solace at this time of losing a loved man. He was well-respected and loved at UW Madison, and his zest for life was contagious!
UW Madison zoology student 1972-74

Sandy Erwin

August 27, 2009

I have such good memories of attending school with Stanley at GJHS. Please know my thoughts & prayers are with all the family at this time of sorrow.

August 27, 2009

I was a class mate of Stanley's in the class of '62 at GJHS. Condolences to the family.
Jeff Brock
Georgetown Lake, Montana

Patricia Culotti

August 27, 2009

Dearest Ginny and Family,
As a member of the tai chi community Stanley supported, I realize I feel his presence every time I practice and think about Tui Shou. He was our faithful follower here and the last we practiced together he mentioned he was very interested in our retreat in October in northern Wisconsin. I would like to dedicate our next 2nd Friday practice in September in his memory and would be honored if you would join us for that and our retreat which will also be honoring him. Many blessings of support and love go to you and yours during this transitional time.
All Love, Pat

Mike Mathias

August 27, 2009

Stanley always had such a positive demeanor. Can't recall him ever saying an unpleasant word about anybody. And smart too! Smart as a tack. Regret he missed many of our reunions as would have been a good opportunity to see how his life had been...face-to-face...over the decades. Like to think it had been good; that he had been happy and prosperous.

Mike Mathias/Vail/

Linda Witt

August 26, 2009

Ginny, I'm so grateful than you and Stan came to our 40th high school reunion in 2002. Many of us had not seen him for years, and, though brief, it was wonderful to begin to catch up and to meet you again. The old Great Books gang scattered all over the map after high school but not a meeting of any two of us could happen without someone recalling something touching, funny, or profound that Stan did or said. I wish I could physically be with you, family, and friends Saturday on the Monument; my thoughts and prayers will be.

August 26, 2009

Was a 1962 classmate of Stanley's at GJHS. My condonlences to his family at this time. Steve Easley (Spokane, WA)

Tom Kopanos

August 26, 2009

Ginny and Family,
I was so looking forward to seeing Stan this upcoming weekend in Grand Junction. My sincere condolences to you on the loss of Stan, a kind and gentle man. I know several other high school classmates are as shocked by his death as Shari and I were. We offer our prayers to comfort you. May his memory be everlasting.

Mary Dahlstrom

August 26, 2009

Ginny, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of great sorrow.

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