Stanley C. Plog

Stanley C. Plog FALLBROOK -- Stanley Plog retired to Fallbrook in 2002. He died on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. He was born in Glendale, Calif., on April 12, 1930. Stanley attended Occidental College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude. He served during the Korean War in the 775th Air Force Band and was stationed in Tucson, Ariz., where he met his wife, Georgia. Stanley received his Doctorate in Social Sciences at Harvard University in 1960. He launched his career at UCLA as an Academic Director of the Social Psychiatry Training Program. He also founded several market research companies over a long career of 40 years, the best known was Plog Research, Inc. He provided travel research and consulting services across all segments of the industry, including airlines, destinations, cruise lines, hotels, and resorts, travel agency groups, and tour operators. After retiring, he continued as a consultant, and co- founded a website, BestTripChoices.com. He was the author of seven books in his field and in 2003, received a lifetime achievement award by HSMI for his contribution to the hospitality industry. His first love, however, was music. He played trombone, forming his own dance band at the age of 16. He toured the U.S., Canada, and Europe with Horace Heidt, and played with various swing bands including Freddie Martin. Stanley is survived by his wife, Georgia; and two sons, Gregory, and Stephen and his wife, Lisa; two grandchildren, Kiersti and Maren; and brother, Anthony C. Plog. His memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 25th, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in his memory could be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com