Wayne Stillman

December 24, 1937 – May 15, 2024.

Wayne Stillman, 86, was born in Rochester, Minnesota to Alfred and Josephine Stillman. Wayne married his high school sweetheart, Carol Ramsey at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota in 1958. Wayne and Carol are the parents of four sons, Richard (Dolores), Randall, Russell, and Ron (Katherine) who reside in Colorado. Wayne and Carol also have six grandsons, Adam (Melissa), Marc, Paul, Nick, Corey, Cameron, one granddaughter, Camille, and two great-grandsons, Collin and Evan.

Upon graduating from Rochester Central High School in 1955, Wayne joined the Army. While serving active duty, Wayne received a personal letter requesting he join a new reserve program which consisted of six months of MP training and return to Rochester to serve four years in the MP reserve unit formed in Rochester.

Wayne worked for Bergstedt Paint company in sales and later became a sales/service man for Cranston typewriters. Wayne bought Cranston typewriters in 1969 and eventually renamed it Stillman Office Machines. He was in this business for 45 years, but people remember him most for completing one of the finest memorials in the country, Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial in Rochester.  Dedicated in 2000, the Memorial was completed without the use of tax dollars and is valued at an estimate of over $6 million. The Memorial exists to honor the veterans of Southeast Minnesota past, present, and future, and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.

Wayne was very active in the Rochester Jaycees in the 1960s and received numerous rewards for his activities. His favorite projects in the Jaycees were booking and working with several shows featuring country music artists, including his favorite, Johnny Cash. In 1966, the Rochester Jaycees adopted the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam to show support. It was during the 1995 reunion of the 173rd that the idea for a memorial was born.

Wayne worked on numerous projects benefiting veterans. He started the local Wreaths Across America program, did many fundraising projects for the American Legion and the VFW, and assisted the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) on their fundraiser for several years. Wayne volunteered with the Salvation Army by feeding the under-resourced, Christmas shopping for families in need, and serving on the board. Wayne served for one year on a Mayo Clinic advisory board and met Mayo Clinic patients that were undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer, a treatment he went through in 1999. Wayne assisted in keeping the Veterans Day section of the Post Bulletin going by selling advertising. Wayne organized a Veterans Day program every year to honor our veterans with the help of volunteers.

Wayne was the recipient of the local, state, regional, and DAR national community service award in 2007, which he travelled to Washington DC to accept. This award was especially meaningful as it represented Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. Wayne received many additional awards from various organizations too numerous to mention for his lifetime of community service work in Rochester.

In January 1999, Wayne was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which resulted in retirement and selling the business. He continued working with veterans and the veteran's memorial until his passing.

Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, four sons, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister, Judy. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters.  Farewell to a wonderful Community Leader, Wayne Stillman will be greatly missed.

The family of Wayne Stillman requests no flowers.