Steven M. Stannard

Steven Michael Stannard of Fond du Lac passed away at the age of 63 unexpectedly on Monday, January 11, 2021. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on February 21, 1957 to Harold and Anna Stannard.

Steven is survived by his wife Cynthia (née Fitzsimmons), mother Anna Stannard (née Heffner) of Omro, WI, sister Deborah (Edward) Thull of Omro WI, brother William (Lisa) Stannard of Francis Creek, WI, sister Judith (Jeffrey) Weber of Omro, WI, stepchildren Louisa (Keith) Moldenhauer of Mayville, WI, Theodore (Faye) Hazelberg Jr. of Mayville, WI, Thomas (Denise) Hazelberg of Iron Ridge, WI, granddaughter Megan (Matthew) Call of Sheboygan, WI who he raised and loved as his own daughter, along with grandchildren Molly and Nicholas Moldenhauer, Alaina and Mark Hazelberg, and Riley and Matthew Hazelberg.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold, who he missed greatly and had such fond memories of spending time with.

Steve fell in love with flying after his first flight in 1966 at the age of 9.  He graduated from Omro High School in 1975.  In 1980, he graduated from Gateway Technical College where he studied pilot training.  He then graduated from Purdue in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation and Mathematics.  After several years of charter and instructional flying at local county airports, he was hired by Continental Express in 1986 flying commercial jets and worked his way up to B737 Captain for United Airlines from1990-2006.  His Chief Pilot at Newark airport said, “He was one of the best pilots and he wished that he had another 100 of him.”  He also received a degree in Aircraft Electronics from Fox Valley Technical College in 2009.

In his retirement, he worked for a local BP gas station where he loved to tease his co-workers and enjoyed the camaraderie he had with his customers.

During his lifetime, he enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, tinkering with electronics and playing computer video games.

A private family service will be held with a celebration of life and burial to be held at a later date.

“I used to be able to touch the sky. I am now trapped on the ground. I can only look up and remember.” ~ He is now flying in the clouds.