Russell ""Duke"" Stoner

Russell ""Duke"" Byrd Stoner, Professor Emeritus Russell was born on December 9, 1926 to Lee R. and Edna Frazier Stoner in Marengo, Iowa. He grew up with his three siblings on farms while attending small rural schools. He graduated early from high school in order to enlist in the Marine Corps at age 17. His WWII service was in the South Pacific. Following his discharge from the military he returned to Iowa where among many achievements he won a golden glove boxing championship that led him to become known as Duke. Duke had a varied job history as a youth with jobs such as farm worker, well driller, crop duster, soup gunner for Quaker Oats, and pipe liner. Following his tour of duty Duke also began his academic studies at the University of Iowa, Chino College in California, and with a move to Colorado he earned his BA and a life-time teaching certificate at what is now the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). He began his teaching career by teaching social studies and history while also coaching all sports in rural schools in Wyoming and Colorado. He lived for about ten years in La Junta where he was a faculty member at the High School. He became active in community service and local politics. He served on the Police Reserves, including a term as Chief. He was also a candidate for mayor. During this time he also obtained his MA from UNC. In 1963 Duke made a career change when he moved to Boulder to begin working for the Department of Commerce as a technical writer /editor and Technical Information Officer. His professional and community service continued as he became involved with the Colorado State Science Fairs, including a term as Fair Director and organizing the National State Fair Conference in Denver. He became active in and provided leadership for many organizations including the US Power Squadrons, a national organization devoted to teaching and promoting safe boating. He was an active member of the Society for Technical Communication and presented numerous scholarly papers at national meetings. He was proud to be selected to become a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Duke also continued his own education and obtained a second MA in technical communication from the University of Denver. When he retired from the government position, Duke returned to his love of teaching and became a Professor of Technical Writing and Editing at Metropolitan State College, a position he held for ten years as he continued to be active in professional organizations. Mentoring students into the profession was a priority for him. He was awarded the title Professor Emeritus. When he was not working or continuing his own education, Duke was an avid outdoorsman and lover of the Colorado mountains where he was a fisherman, a skier, and a hunter. He became a member of the Schussbaumer Ski Club in 1963 and in 2013 he was honored for having been a member of the ski club for 50 continuous years. On the flat lands Duke was a spirited golfer, a skilled bridge player and a competitive target shooter. Duke was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert L Stoner. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 48 years, Martha H. Stoner, RN, PhD.; his daughter Kimberly L. Stoner and, grandson Lee C. Sparks both of Denver, and granddaughter Lesley S. Sparks (USMC) of Okinawa, Japan:;his sisters Joan Allen and Betty Guth and her husband Durward Guth of Mora, Missouri; as well as nieces and nephews; and other relatives by marriage. Memorial donations may be made in Professor Russell B. Stoner's name to Denver Hospice, 501 S.Cherry Street #701, Denver, CO 80246.