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Taylor graduate attends UT Class of 1956 50-year reunion
Charles Stalmach, Taylor High School graduate of the Class of 1951, and his wife, Dorothy (Heckmann) Stalmach, THS graduate, class of 1953, attended the recent University of Texas Class of 1956 50th reunion in Austin. The two-day event was filled with guided tours, distinguished speakers, entertainment, meals and fellowship. The University of Texas President Bill Powers spoke at the opening lunch and UT Senior Vice President Dr. William Livingston spoke at the closing lunch. Head football coach Mac Brown spoke to the group during a tour of the athletics facilities, including Mac Brown's private office. Other tour sites included Bates Recital Hall, which stores the largest Tracker Organ installed in the United States. The alumni were treated to a short recital on this most impressive organ. A tour of the Harry Ransom Center gave a sample of the vast collection of historical items collected. Dr. Kurt Bartelmeha gave interesting demonstrations regarding the integration of technology into the classroom. The engineering alumni were treated to impressive demonstrations in the new ACES (Applied Computational and Engineering Science) building, featuring Dean of Engineering Ben G. Streetman as the speaker. At the demonstration, Stalmach was surprised with a certificate honoring him with the “Most Interesting Master's Thesis.” Stalmach graduated as the valedictorian from Taylor High School in 1951 and maintained his high grade point average while attending the University of Texas. This earned him a technical job, several scholarships and an induction into national technical honor societies. In 1956, Stalmach graduated first in his class of aeronautical engineers. He entered graduate school and worked as a research engineer with UT's Defense Research Laboratories. After completing his Master of Science degree in January of 1958, he was employed by Chance Vought Aircraft. Stalmach was a technical innovator and has been awarded several U.S. Patents and recognized for NASA Technical Innovations. He had many of his findings published in technical journals. In 1969, company management named him “The Most Outstanding Engineer.” He retired in 1989 as a program manager in technology programs at LTV Missiles and Electronics Group, now the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie. The Stalmachs have been married for 53 years and have four children and nine grandchildren. Stalmach's other interests and activities include design and construction of homes and churches. Their new retirement home is located on a ranch, made of steel structure and embodying geothermal features resulting in high energy efficiency. The couple enjoys family functions, music, ranching, gardening and traveling.
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