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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep '99
DUDLEY SCOTT STARK, JR. * '46
No. 15847 * 25 Feb 1925 - 22 Sep 1998
Died in Rochester, NY * Ashes scattered in the Memorial Garden,
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Henrietta, NY
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DUDLEY SCOTT STARK, JR. was born in Palmerton,
PA. His father was an Episcopal minister who later became the
Bishop of Rochester, NY. Moving where his father was assigned
accounts for Dudley attending and graduating from the Latin School
in Chicago, IL in 1943. His friend and classmate at the Latin
School, Dr. Richard Davis, recalled: "Dudley was a quiet
and thoughtful young man who had an outstanding scholastic record.
A friendly smile belied his seriousness and deep religious convictions.
He participated in athletics, but his gifts were scholastic and
intellectual." Dudley joined the Class of 1946 at West Point
on 1 July 1943.
Cadet life presented no major problems for Dudley. He stayed
out of trouble with the Tactical Department and managed academics
with minimum difficulties. One event had a great impact on his
time at West Point. Dudley's brother, Gregory, was killed in
action on 13 January 1945 in Europe. Dudley became a second lieutenant
in the Coast Artillery Corps at graduation.
After basic artillery schooling, Dudley's first assignment was
to the 753th AAA Gun Battalion in Japan. While in Japan, Dudley
met and married Harriet Beers, the daughter of a colonel. They
were married in Yokohama, Japan on 26 August 1948. In 1949, the
Starks returned to the States where Dudley served with the 95th
AA Gun Battalion at Fort Lewis, WA. It was then on to Fort Bliss,
TX where Dudley became an instructor at the Artillery School.
In 1953, he attended the Officers Advanced Artillery School at
Fort Sill, OK. He decided to leave the Army at the end of 1953
to try his hand at civilian life.
Dudley began his civilian career with the Electronics Division
of General Dynamics in Rochester, NY. He remained with General
Dynamics until 1970 serving as Test Engineer, Chief of Administrative
Services, Administrative Engineer, Master Scheduler for the F-111
Program and finally, Senior Planning and Control Analyst. Dudley
started his own Income Tax business and also became a Systems
Analyst in the Information Systems Division of the Rochester
City School District. He retired from the school district in
1985 and closed the tax business in 1992.
Dudley was a man of many talents. With a beautiful voice, he
sang tenor in the Rochester Oratorio, in musicals and in the
church choir. He was an excellent painter and sculptor, photographer
and an avid golfer. He loved motorcycle cruising, dancing and
traveling in the family motor home.
Dudley died from a massive heart attack on 22 September 1998.
His wife, Harriet; sons, Gregory and Dudley; daughters, Susan,
Nancy and Linda; and sisters, Mary and Rosalind survive him.
The thoughts and remembrances of his family and friends reveal
the essence of a man loved and respected by all who knew him.
Associate at General Dynamics and friend, Howard Ward, remembered:
"Dudley was very conscientious, kind, dependable and compassionate.
He was always there if you needed him. He never said a bad word
about others and made many friends. His interests were varied
and he was, at least, familiar with most any subject you might
discuss. He was a Best Friend and I will miss him."
Friend and associate at the Rochester School District, Mary Schmidt,
recalled: "His sharp intelligence and warm demeanor enabled
him to quickly develop strong working relationships with his
colleagues. Dudley was interested in such varied areas as astronomy,
prehistoric creatures, music and theater (he was so very proud
of his wife's acting accomplishments.) I don't think there was
a subject that he could not discuss with some degree of knowledge.
Dudley was a good listener too, and remembered other's interests.
He had respect for other people and their opinions and feelings.
As our Operations Manger put it: 'Dudley was one classy guy!'
Dudley Stark was a kind man, a gentleman, a valued colleague
and a good friend. He made this world a better place with his
presence. He is greatly missed."
Reverend Sharon Karl delivered the homily at Dudley's funeral.
Excerpts from that add to the remembrances of Dudley: "I
am keenly aware that there is nothing I can say which will completely
convey his essence. As relaxed as he was, there were times when
Dudley set his jaw with 'Stark' determination and there was no
budging him. As we remember Dudley, we mourn his loss, but we
remain ever so thankful for his presence among us. He has been
and remains a wonderful example of a truly godly and whole human
being."
His loving wife, Harriet, remembered: "Dudley was kind,
compassionate, generous, forgiving and non-judgmental of others.
He loved nature, enjoyed classical music, was devoted to his
church, fanatic about playing golf or watching it on TV and deeply
concerned about justice and national morals. He was my best friend
and the wind beneath my wings in my career in amateur theater."
To these words describing a very fine human being, the Class
of 1946 proudly adds those words that would mean so much to our
classmate: "Well Done, Dudley; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Harriet
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