It is with sadness that we have learned that Stanley Stillman has gone to his eternal reward Jan 1, 2026.
Stanley was a long-time friend and donor to our work. I learned a lot from him.
Once or twice a year, he would meet with me to sit and learn about our work: successes, challenges, partnerships. These were quiet meetings, usually lasting 40–60 minutes, where we shared big pictures and ideas. I will miss these meetings in the garden room of WYA, or at the lounge of his club. They were invariably followed by lunch or dinner, where we would discuss other things—politics, New York City, or whatever struck our fancy.
At times, Stanley would invite me to an event: a dinner and book launch with Andrew Roberts on Churchill, or a lecture on topics of interest somewhere in New York City. He was an old-school gentleman, and in this way he also taught me many things, including a respect and love for a bygone world that he embodied.
I learned of his passing from his daughter during the first week of January. In the second week, I received his 2025 Christmas card. What a joy. In his inimitable way, he wrote about this final phase of his life and his awareness that his time here was short. Noting that he was “trimming his sails,” and enjoying spending time with his daughter and family, with whom he now lived, he concluded the card by writing that he was “looking forward to encounters in the heaven God has entrusted to us.”
He would invariably sign his emails, letters, and communications to me by saying: “Keep the faith!”
We will, Stanley. Looking forward to reuniting in heaven, when the time is right.
