Stanton P. Thalberg
Feb. 29, 1932 — Aug. 2, 2014
Stanton P. Thalberg passed away in his home on Aug. 2, 2014, in the presence of his family, after experiencing 20.5 birthdays. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in Plantsville, Connecticut.
The achievement of his bachelor’s degree in psychology was temporarily interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Air Force, where he served in the Intelligence Department during the Korean War.
After a master’s degree in educational psychology, he earned a Ph.D. in 1964, also in educational psychology. All of his degrees were obtained from the University of Iowa, where he was also an assistant professor of educational psychology and rhetoric until 1965.
He began teaching clinical educational psychology at the University of Washington in 1965, and was chairman of the University of Washington School Psychology Training Program from 1985 until his retirement as an associate professor in 1993.
He was on interagency loan to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, D.C. from 1980-81, which provided background for him to become an evaluator for the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals.
In the 1960s, he participated in the Freedom Rider movement for civil equality.
After building his first log house on Bainbridge Island in 1984, he built another one in Port Ludlow in 1993.
He volunteered for the American Red Cross and for FEMA, from 1995 to 2004, and functioned as a disaster mental health counselor, specialist, technician and, ultimately, as an officer in charge of mental health. He attended more than 50 large national disasters, including 9/11 (World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks), the Alaska Air 261 crash, and multiple floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and wildfires.
At the age of 62, he received his volunteer fireman credentials and was certified by the Washington State Fire Academy in 12 skills. In 1996, he received his emergency medical technician (EMT-IV) certification. He was most proud of his volunteer work for North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, the Poulsbo Fire Department, and Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue.
He received an inspirational award from Jefferson County Fire Protection District 3, station No. 33 (Port Ludlow), in 1994, and was awarded EMT of the Year the following year. The Poulsbo Fire Department awarded him for his “tireless efforts and contributions on special projects” in 2004-05.
He also enjoyed woodworking, target practice, fly fishing and lure making, and attending Mariners spring training as a fan.
Stan is survived by his sons, Steve Thalberg (Linda) and Mark Thalberg (Sandra); daughter, Leslie Axelson (Jim); his wife, Marcia Ruskin; his stepsons, Seth Ramus (Lisa) and Joshua Ramus; and his sister, Sue Bond.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rebecca Khalil (Peter), Micalah Burgess (Blake), Jaellah Thalberg, Casey Axelson, Hannah Axelson; great-grandchildren, Jaden Cox, Adrian Khalil, Evelia Burgess; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Teri Oushani, Ian Oushani, Molly Ramus, Claire Ramus and Lilyblue Prince-Ramus; nieces, Robyn Fineberg (Eric), Marnie Harrison (Chad) and Nicole Braveman (Jonathan), and grandnephew, Zachary Fineberg.
He will be missed.
Donations in his honor may be made to any of the above fire departments or to the University of Iowa School of Education.
— Family of Stanton P. Thalberg
