Marshall Robert Stoner

Dr. Marshall Robert Stoner, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of South Dakota, died peacefully on December 28, 2024 at Sanford Care Canter in Vermillion South Dakota.

Robert was born September 24, 1938 to Marshall Leslie and Edith Roberts Stoner in Kenesaw Nebraska. He grew up working with his father on the family farm and graduated from Kenesaw high school in May of 1956. He also achieved his Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. In September 1956, he enrolled at Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska. He was granted the Bachelor of Arts degree from Hastings College in May 1960 with majors in chemistry and mathematics. In September1960, he enrolled at Iowa State University as a graduate student with a teaching assistantship. He carried out research in the area of organic photochemistry of benztropones under Dr. O.L.Chapman. He was awarded a National Science Foundation Cooperative Graduate Fellowship for the 1962-1963 academic year. The following year he received a Texaco Corporation Fellowship. In 1964 he was awarded a Procter and Gamble Summer Fellowship. He was granted the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Iowa State University in November 1964.

Dr. Stoner joined the faculty at the University of South Dakota in 1964 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1970 and full professor in 1981, and served the department 37 years until his retirement in 2001. Dr. Stoner taught organic chemistry at the undergraduate and graduate level, organic and biochemistry for non-science majors, and elective courses in polymer chemistry, chemistry in the marketplace, and environmental chemistry. His teaching contributions were unsurpassed with carefully planned, well-organized lectures and he treated students with fairness and respect. Dr. Stoner had an open-door policy, and on each day could be found in his office working with students who he pushed and motivated to achieve high levels of success. He taught thousands of students at USD and many students who received their degrees, including a fair number of MDs, are surely grateful for his tireless efforts to help them ‘survive’ organic chemistry. Dr. Stoner led a research program in organic photochemistry and patiently worked side-by-side with his students as they developed research skills. Dr.Stoner was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the South Dakota Academy of Science, Sigma Xi, and Omicron Delta Kappa. At the local level, he was active in the Sioux Valley Local Section of the American Chemical Society and was chairman in 1986-1987. Dr. Stoner gave generously to the department of chemistry at the University of South Dakota, establishing the M.R. Stoner Scholarship to support undergraduate chemistry majors active in chemical research. Dr. Stoner’s integrity, professionalism, and dedication serves as a model for all.

Robert was also very active with First United Methodist Church Vermillion where he served as an usher, taught adult Sunday school class, served on the finance committee, sang and soloed for the choir and was a First United Methodist Church Vermillion delegate for the United Methodist Church conference.

To unwind Robert liked spending time with his family in the Black hills of South Dakota or Washington State. He enjoyed hiking, taking photos of things he thought interesting and stamp collecting.

He is survived by his sisters Ellen Austin of Rapid City, South Dakota and Marcia Hunting of Seattle, Washington as well as six nieces and nephews. Ken, Dave, Paul, Jane, Rebecca and Andy.

The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Vermillion on January 16th at 5:30 pm.

Robert will be put to rest with his parents in kenesaw, Nebraska.