Richard Louis Stoecker ’47

Richard Louis Stoecker ’47 of Branford, Connecticut, died on November 19, 2010. He grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, where he attended Columbia High School. He was assigned to the Naval V-12 unit. In college he joined Zeta Psi and played in the band. He obtained his commission in 1945 at Columbia University, served in the Pacific until 1946 and returned to graduate in 1947 with a major in economics. In 1951 he was recalled and served 22 months as a Navy Reserve lieutenant gunnery officer on the USS Gearing. He then worked for U.S. Gypsum Co. in New Jersey, where he served as a Scoutmaster and Rotarian. He moved to employment with Pitney Bowes, where he remained for 30 years, retiring in 1987 as regional manager in southern Connecticut for the last 17 years. He enjoyed music and played trumpet and sousaphone in bands in high school and college. He was an active volunteer in Madison and, in retirement, enjoyed golf, fishing and boating. His wife of 60 years died in December of 2010. He is survived by two children.