Death of Methodist Friend (David Stanley 1928-2015)

IRD board member David Stanley died yesterday, age 86, just a few weeks after his dear wife of 67 years, Jeanie.  He was a marvelous man in every way: generous, smart, patient, kind, meticulous, steadfast, shrewd, confident, full of faith, relishing life and taking joy in the accomplishments of others. We first met in 1993 as part of IRD’s new United Methodist committee, organized by then IRD President Diane Knippers. He provided the grant for IRD to hire me as its United Methodist director. 

Some donors lose interest, or are difficult, or have insensible proposals. David was exceptional, providing steady financial support across 21 years accompanied by constant encouragement, wise counsel, good spirits, and endless common sense. He enjoyed the adventure of church and secular politics but was never embittered nor cynical. David was a realist but also a high minded Christian and old style Methodist.  His faith would never allow him indifference to the institutional church or his country. He was committed to the renewal of both.  Life was a battle, and he never laid down his sword, soldiering through countlesss challenges and controversies, always more energized than drained.

A former state legislator, and a lawyer, David was a masterful organizer, chair of meetings, handler of difficult situations and people, savvy about procedure, and he had a bewitching eye for detail. Even in his old age, he was incomparable in his incredibly thorough presentation of financial reports and as editor of documents.

David was endlessly generous toward others but frugal for himself. I can still picture his maneuvering on the subway rather than taxiing from the airport, walking a half mile to our office, tugging his luggage. He also enjoyed his hotel discount coupons.  “I’m a child of the Depression,” he smilingly recalled.

In 2009 David facilitated my becoming IRD President, and he was present at virtually every important step for me over the last two decades. Whenever help was needed, of whatever shape, David, the busiest of men until the very end, was always available. He was, as William Alexander Percy recalled of his formidable father, the “strong rock on which we leaned and in whose shade we renewed our strength.”

There’s no surprise that David quit this world shortly after his wife to whom he was ever devoted. They are now together with their Lord they served so well for so long. No doubt David in Heaven is as sensible, giving, and serene as he was in this world. He is gone, but his works live on.