Col. Stanley (Stan) M. Sheldon died Friday, July 22, 2016 following a two-week hospitalization for a broken hip. He was born in Thompson, PA June 19, 1942. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Jessie; two brothers, Dr. Douglas Sheldon and wife Margaret; Paul Sheldon and wife Susan; two sisters, June Lambertson and husband Dick; Dr. Helen Longacre and husband Al; as well as an aunt and uncle, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Stan graduated from Dickinson College in 1964 with a BS in physics. He received an MBA in Management Science from the University of Colorado in 1974.

Col. Sheldon retired in 1991 after serving a 27-year career with the US Air Force. Throughout his Air Force career, Stan was involved in research, development and management of many Department of Defense weapons systems. His last assignment before retiring was Assistant Director for Countermeasures Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), Department of Defense, Washington, DC, where he identified and evaluated potential Soviet and rest of world responses to the Strategic Defense System and recommended design changes. In this capacity he directed three successful space launch experiments.

Assigned to Headquarters, Foreign Technology Division (FTD), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH in 1974, he served in the Foreign Missile Systems of the Space Systems Division. In this capacity, his contributions were directly used during national level negotiations for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Col. Sheldon was reassigned to FTD in 1985 as Chief of the Space Systems Division.

In 1978 Col. Sheldon was assigned to Headquarters USAF, The Pentagon, Washington, DC in the Directorate of Space Systems, where he served on the Research and Development Programs and Integration staff, Congressional Liaison staff, and Air Defense Surveillance staff. His contributions as Acquisition Manager for International Programs/Air Surveillance Systems, led to the establishment of new radar surveillance and air control capabilities for the U.S. and its NATO allies.

In 1982 he was assigned to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), as Requirements and Development Planner for the Strategic Plans and Resource Analysis Agency. As a significant contributor in developing Arms Control Impact Statements for the INF Treaty he assessed the arms control effects of weapons systems and often briefed the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Among Col. Sheldon's other assignments were Congressional Activities Specialist, Headquarters USAF Directorate of Program Integration; Program Budget Manager, Headquarters USAF Formulation and Analysis Division; Chief of Missile Programs, Headquarters 15th Air Force, March AFB, CA; lead Reentry/Propulsions Systems Project Liaison for Strategic Air Command (SAC) Minuteman III Research and Development Flight Test Program, 6555th Aerospace Test Group, AF Eastern Test Range; Minuteman I missile launch control crew member and later launch crew instructor, 341st Strategic Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, MT. Commissioned through Officer Training School in 1964, Col. Sheldon is also a graduate of Squadron Officer School (1971), Armed Forces Staff College (1978), and Air War College (1983).

Col. Sheldon's military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
After retirement from the Air Force in 1991, Stan was employed for five years by Nichols Research Corporation, Vienna, VA where he was a program manager for Nichols in its efforts to support various Department of Defense programs, contract and studies.

Stan was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease shortly after the Sheldon's moved to Lompoc in early 1997. In 2003 he was fortunate to have bilateral deep brain stimulation surgery, Huntington Hospital, Pasadena and courageously accepted the hardships and challenges of his long battle with Parkinson's. He proudly talked about how God had played an integral part in his "miracle" and always welcomed an opportunity to share his faith. He eagerly participated in activities at St. Mary's Episcopal Church where he served on its Vestry. Stan never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know him

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Lompoc.