Spring Break
Revered
Religion and philosophy professor settles at A&M after world travels
By: Michael Allen
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: News
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"Like Confucius said, 'I've done so many things but mastered none,'" Stadelmann said.
Stadelmann grew up in a Quaker community in Richmond, Ind. He attended college at Urlum; a small Quaker college.
"I have a high opinion for Quakers, except I am not and never will be a pacifist." Stadelmann said.
Stadelmann was a speech and philosophy major and became one of the top-ranked debaters in the country. He received an academic scholarship from Yale and decided to attend seminary, where he majored in theosophy.
Stadelmann decided to enlist in the Navy and became a Navy Champlain. During his term between the Korean and Vietnam wars, he was stationed in Newport, R.I.
"Though I never went overseas, I wanted to; just never had the chance." Stadelmann said, "My job was to understand all groups of religions, which I think I do quite well."
Stadelmann has a strong history of military service in his family. His sister was among one of the first women enlisted in World War II. His father was in the Navy during World War I, and one of Stadelmann's sons is a green beret in the Army.
Along with an impressive service record, Stadelmann has an interesting family history. His grandfather fled from Germany and Hitler to come overseas and work for Harvard at the X-ray lab.
"All of my mom's male relatives except her father were killed by Hitler," he said.
Stadelmann is the proud father of eight children. His family scattered coast to coast. One of his daughters, Olga Gehredt, is a graduate student in philosophy at A&M. His wife is a professor at Blinn Junior College in Brenham.
While in the service, Stadelmann noticed that A&M has produced more Champlain than any other schools, so he immersed himself in Aggie traditions.
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