Bill Text: VA SJR95 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Commander Edward S. Stolle, Jr., USN, Ret.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-19 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ95ER) [SJR95 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR95-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Commander Edward S. Stolle, Jr., USN, Ret., an honorable veteran, esteemed corporate executive, accomplished attorney, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and longtime member of the Norfolk community, died on March 20, 2023; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from high school in Lytle, Texas, Edward "Ed" Stolle attended the Bullis School in Silver Spring, Maryland, before graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1952; and
WHEREAS, Ed Stolle began his distinguished 22-year career with the United States Navy as one of the branch's first jet fighters and test pilots, becoming a member of the renowned "Caterpillar Club" after successfully ejecting himself from his burning T-2J Buckeye; and
WHEREAS, Ed Stolle subsequently served as naval air and training advisor to the Indonesian Navy, executive officer of the USS John R. Pierce, and as chief of staff for the River Patrol Force in the Rung Sat Special Zone and Mekong Delta in Vietnam, participating in more than 100 operations and 37 amphibious assaults with United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land teams and the United States Army Special Forces; and
WHEREAS, after Vietnam, Ed Stolle served on the staff of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in London before concluding his military career at the former Atlantic Fleet Command Center in Norfolk and retiring at the rank of commander; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his gallantry and service to the nation, Ed Stolle was the recipient of several awards and honors, including the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and five U.S. and Vietnamese citations and ribbons; and
WHEREAS, following his time in the United States Navy, Ed Stolle embarked upon a second career in the private sector, serving for 20 years as the Norfolk director of SAIC International, where he led the corporation's programs for operational command and control centers; and
WHEREAS, in his second retirement, Ed Stolle devoted himself to studying the law under the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners Law Reader Program; after passing the Virginia Bar Exam on his first attempt at the age of 72, he went on to serve as a court-appointed guardian ad litem for children who were suspected to be victims of abuse or neglect; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia, Ed Stolle will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his adoring children, Ed, Ken, Bob, Chris, Siobhan, and Colin, and their families; and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Commander Edward S. Stolle, Jr., USN, Ret., a member of the Norfolk community whose leadership and integrity were an inspiration to all who knew him; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Commander Edward S. Stolle, Jr., USN, Ret., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
