PORTLAND — Kenneth Rey Stahl Sr., 79, died Aug. 2 after a long illness.

Tenacious, caring and innovative in his professional life, he was a true maverick who in his personal life was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Born on May 2, 1932, in Newark, N.J., son of Francis and Violette Rey Stahl, he was raised in East Orange, N.J., and Lakewood, Ohio.

In 1953 he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Horvath. They settled in Rochester, N.Y., where they raised their three children, Kenneth, Jr., Elizabeth and Suzanne.

He served in the US Air Force until 1963, when he was honorably discharged as a captain.

He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics and finance at Lehigh University.  

For 30 years he worked in Rochester, N.Y., first at the Eastman Kodak Company, before spending 23 years years with the Xerox Corp. marked by innovation, entrepreneurship and awards, including a 1979 Xerox Corp. President’s Achievement Award.

In 1977 the family established a summer home at Pemaquid Point, and in retirement, they spent winters at Fripp Island, S.C., and eventually relocated to Damariscotta.

In 2002, they moved to the OceanView Retirement Community in Falmouth.

Over the years he balanced his rigorous professional life with equal dedication to family and friends. He embraced the importance of character, loyalty and stewardship throughout his life.

His hobbies included woodworking, reading and spending time outdoors.

Family will remember him as the consummate gentleman who treated people with sincerity and always went the extra mile.

His family would like to thank the devoted staff of The Barron Center in Portland for their compassionate and skilled care during the final years of his life, and SolAmor Hospice for their guidance during his final weeks.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 58 years, Nancy of Falmouth; three children and six grandchildren, Kenneth R. Stahl, Jr., partner Tracy Bell of Rochester, N.Y., and sons William and Eric Stahl; Elizabeth Stahl, husband David Zarowin of Belmont, Mass., and daughters Erika and Elissa Zarowin; Suzanne Stahl Muir, husband John Muir of Yarmouth, and sons Angus and Zane Muir; two cousins Jeanne Stahl Ferraro and her husband, Antonio Ferraro of Shrewsbury, N.J. and Janet Morton Baird and her husband, Richard Baird of Wilmington, Del.; sisters-in-law, Sandra Horvath Small of Covington, Ky., and Joanne Horvath Staley and her husband, Lt. Col. Henry Staley, Ret., of Montgomery, Ala.; and his dog, Abby.

A private burial will be held at a later date in New Harbor.

Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bristol Area Library, P.O. Box 173, New Harbor, ME, 04554; or to the Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Rd., Falmouth, ME, 04105.

Sidebar Elements

---

Stahl Sr.