Stanley Truman KUMMER

KUMMER KUMMER, Stanley Truman, of Roanoke, passed away three days shy of his 92nd birthday. One of 12 children born in Baltimore, Md., on August 27, 1919, Stan was a proud, successful, self-made man who spent his early years in an orphanage in Catonsville, Maryland. Graduating as president of his senior class at Catonsville High School, he went on to attend the University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in accounting and finance. While at the university, Stan was inducted into the National Honorary Accounting Fraternity. Soon after graduation, he joined the Army and attended Officer's Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Susan Rinehart, he was deployed to Europe. While serving his country as a Captain during WWII, Stan, a Battalion Operational Officer, was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. Stan spent over a year-and-a-half in various hospitals recovering from wounds sustained during his missions in the European Theater of Operations. In July of 2010, Stan was awarded the Legion of Honor, Class of Chevalier Medal by Nicole Yancey, Honorary Consul of France for Virginia, on behalf of the people of France. The medal is the highest decoration given by France to those soldiers who were instrumental in liberating France from Germany during the Second World War. This ceremony took place at the home of Babs Smith, one of Stan's daughters. Surrounded by his family and friends, Stan accepted this medal on behalf of all the combat soldiers who fought so bravely. After his discharge from the service, Stan enrolled in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was employed for 10 years by a National Petroleum Company in Baltimore and Richmond, Va. While living in Richmond, he taught Sunday School and served as a Deacon at St. Giles Presbyterian Church. Stan's move to Roanoke resulted in a new job opportunity in which he headed the manufacturing department of an insecticide business. Wanting to be his own boss, Stan became sole proprietor of K Sales, a distributorship of commercial and industrial lubricants, representing Kendall Refining Company, Shell Oil, and Mobil Oil. Stan's business success did not prevent him from engaging in his favorite pastimes, sports and helping young people. He was responsible for establishing competitive swimming in the Roanoke Valley and coached the Roanoke Country Club swimming team for eight years. Among his swimmers were several state champions, including all three of his daughters, and one national champion, his daughter, Slim. In 1970, he was honored as Roanoke's Father of the Year for Youth Leadership. With his good friend, Bill Andrews, Stan coached recreational football and basketball for more than 20 years. Many of the young boys Bill and Stan coached became successful college athletes and are now professional and industrial leaders in the Roanoke community, one of whom is his son-in-law, Dr. Donald Smith Jr. Not to be out done by his players, Stan played basketball in the Cardiac League and enjoyed a competitive game of tennis well into his 80s. In addition, Stan served as chairman of one of the YMCA's annual fund raising campaigns. He was a member of the Roanoke Country Club for over 47 years, and also enjoyed memberships at Hunting Hills Country Club and the Shenandoah Club. Stan was a member of Second Presbyterian Church for 55 years. Retiring in 1990, Stan's greatest joys were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his three daughters, San Kummer, Slim Nance and Babs Smith. The first grandchild, born to his oldest daughter, San, bears his name, Stanley Marshall Lauck. Marshall and his wife, Casey, have three daughters, Carrington, Emerson and the newest great-grandchild, Cheyenne. San's younger son, David, is married to Genny, who has three children, Jordan, Tyson and Dillon. Slim has two daughters, Catherine, who is a CPA with Price Waterhouse Coopers in Washington, D.C., and Kimberley Zandler, who lives in Cornelius, N.C., with her husband, Mike, and their two children, Caroline and Matthew. Stan's youngest daughter, Babs, is married to Dr. Donald Smith. They have two children, Carlie, who is a special education teacher in Salem, and Donny, who is married to Katie. They have one child, Maddie. The family was able to celebrate Easter and Caroline's fourth birthday together, with Stan attending both celebrations. Stan's second family was the Don Smith family. He enjoyed many happy occasions and celebrations with all the Smiths for many years. He treasured his extended family and will be greatly missed by all of them: Don and Barbara Smith, Barry and Becky Wirt and their children, Allan and Bonnie Longworth, and their children, Eddie and Missy Smith, and their children, and Matt and Christy Treece and their children. All of us who knew and loved Stan enjoyed listening to him tell well- woven tales about his childhood, the war, and his many years mentoring young men and women. His favorite phrase when expressing disapproval of something one of his basketball or football players had done was "Cheese and Crackers," a phrase still remembered by many. During his final days, he also was able to entertain his caregivers, who took extra special care of him. A special thanks to Laura Johnson, Nellie Barnes, Drew Troth, Betty Conner, Lillian Brackins and LaWanda Menefee, who all came to think of him as family. We also are thankful for the compassionate care given to our Dad by Kitty Powers and Missy Ring from Carilion Hospice. An ever "Johnny on the spot with an amusing quip or retort," we remember his conversation with one of the rescue squad men who were called to the condo on several occasions in the past two months. When their job was completed, one of the men asked if Stan needed anything else. Stan's response was: "Can you come back tonight? We need one more for poker." Our Dad will live on in the memories of his family and the countless lives he touched. All of us are enriched for having had this unique man in our lives. He was a special man. A memorial service to celebrate the resurrection will be on Monday, August 29, at 11 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Second Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.