November 5, 1933 – November 2, 2023
Lt. Col. Lawrence NMI Stumpf, age 89, of Riverside California passed away peacefully with his wife Phyllis by his side on Nov. 2, 2023. Larry will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched and inspired.
Larry was born in Fresno California on Nov. 5, 1933 to John Henry and Marie Elizabeth Stumpf. They moved to Kerman when his father bought grocery store with a meat market. Larry attended Kerman High School and worked in his father’s store. He attended Fresno State College graduating early with a Bachelor of Arts in Music while a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC).
He met his future wife Phyllis Piper while he was still attending college. He was commissioned on June 7, 1955 and married Phyllis on June 12, 1955.
Larry had three careers: the Air Force, a Family Financial Planner, and a Volunteer with many organizations, serving on the Boards or committees.
He started his Military Career at March Air Force Base, California with the ROTC Summer camp in 1954, was accepted to pilot training and graduated at Bryan AFB, Texas in a T-33 in Dec. 1956. He graduated from navigator training for pilots at James Connally AFB, Texas in Aug of 1957 and then was assigned as a pilot of B-47s back at March AFB, CA. Through most of the Cold War he was assigned to many ground and airborne alerts in the B-47s and B-52s with the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
He flew over 134 missions in Vietnam. After years of requesting a transfer to Germany, he was assigned to ‘Plans’ at USAFE Headquarters, Germany in 1972. Larry officially retired in June of 1979 at March AFB with over 5,000 flight hours in 8 different types of aircraft in his 24 years of service
During his military career, Larry received the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and many others as well.
After retiring from the military, Larry started a career as a Family Financial Planner with USPS&IRA, a financial planning firm specializing in helping military personal. Larry had a storied career including becoming the West Regional District Manager before retiring a second time.
While still in his second career as a Family Financial Planner he was ramping up his final career: Volunteering. Larry was passionate about giving back to the community. He continued volunteering by giving seminars to young military members on the importance of planning financially for their future. He was a member, and held various Board positions, in multiple organizations such as Hope Lutheran Church, Riverside, the LeaMay Foundation, the Order of Daedalians, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Military Order of World Wars (MOWW), March Field Air Museum, American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, as well as the Resident Council (RESCON) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) both at Westmont Village, to name just a few and a lifelong member of Phi Mu Alpha.
Larry never stopped studying; he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Fresno State, a Masters of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Utah, and an Associate of Arts in Real Estate from Riverside Community College. He studied at the USAF Air War College and held an Insurance Broker License, an Investment Adviser License, as well as a HAM Radio License (KJ6BLL).
He is survived by his wife Phyllis of 68 years; his daughter Laurie Verner, his son David Stumpf (Vickie); his 5 grandchildren Carissa, Brittany, Colt, Vincent, and Dominique; and 6 great grandchildren Sofia, Kenna, Frank, Benedict, Cameron, and Rebekah. His youngest son, Michael (Comilla) preceded him in death in 2016.
A viewing for family and friends will be held at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary from 12:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 19. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 20 at the Westmont Village Chapel followed by graveside services at 1:15pm at Riverside National Cemetery with a reception to follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his honor to your favorite charity or the March Field Air Museum.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the Stumpf family.
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