Chase Funeral Home

173 Main Street, Schaghticoke, NY 12154

(518) 753-4511

Brig. Gen. Stanley W. Hemstreet

          

 Retired Brigadier General Stanley W. Hemstreet, former commander for the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY, passed away after a short illness on Sunday, January 20, 2008, surrounded by his large and loving family.  Born in Schaghticoke on May 22, 1925, the son of Edna Wendt Hemstreet and Ellsworth Hemstreet, Gen. Hemstreet lived on his family farm on Hemstreet Road in Schaghticoke all of his life.  He graduated in 1943 from Hoosic Valley High School – then known as Schaghticoke High School - and immediately joined the US Army Air Corps for flight training.  He graduated from pilot training as a Second Lieutenant in April 1945.  From 1946 to 1948, he attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Oklahoma, then returned to Schaghticoke.

            General Hemstreet retired as Base Commander of the 109^th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard in Scotia in 1985, having started 37 years earlier as the third person to be hired at the base.  His first assignment was as an aircraft engine mechanic.  His later roles included Unit Supply Officer; Base Supply, Property and Fiscal Officer; and Chief of Maintenance.  He then became Director of Operations, and in 1971 became Base Commander.  As commander, Gen. Hemstreet was instrumental in bringing the C-130 “ski birds” to the 109^th, which took on the mission of providing fuel and supplies to US outposts in Greenland, and later the mission of supplying South Pole Station in Antarctica.  In a ceremony held on October 13^th of last year, the 109^th  honored Gen. Hemstreet's distinguished service to the unit by naming a main road on the base Hemstreet Highway.

            Over the course of his career he flew the F-47 Thunderbolt and F-51 Mustang fighters, the C-47 and C-97 transports, the T-33 jet trainer, the F-80 and F-86 fighter jets, and the C-130 transport (in both airdrop and ski-equipped models).  He also became an instructor and flight examiner for both the C-97 and C-130.

            Among the many highlights of his career, he was the aircraft commander for the first plane to arrive in Berlin as part of the 1961 Berlin Call-up.  He also flew many missions into Vietnam during the Vietnam War.    When he retired he had set the Air Force record as the pilot with the longest time on flying status, forty two years, and had logged more than 10,000 flying hours.

            In civilian life, he was a very active member of the Schaghticoke community, serving as President of the Hoosic Valley School Board and a long-standing member of the Hoosic Valley Volunteer Fire Company.  He also was one of the original organizers of the Willard Mountain Ski Area, and President for the past twenty years of the Knickerbocker Historical Society, working to preserve the Knickerbocker Mansion.  He was also an active farmer throughout his life, running the family farm in Schaghticoke until his death.

            His proudest accomplishment, however, was his family.  He was predeceased by his sister Ruth Jean Hemstreet Burton and his granddaughter Emma Elizabeth Durrant.  He is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Aileen Aldrich Hemstreet; five children, Stana Iseman and husband Robert, Aileen Durrant and husband John, Leslie Allen and husband Eric, Steven Hemstreet and wife Joanne, and Hollie McNeil and husband Michael, and seventeen grandchildren:  Robert, Nathan and wife Jeannie, Rebeckah, Christine, Susan, Scott, and John Iseman; Gregory and Alida Durrant; Robin, Eben, Ethan, and Clayton Allen; Jacob Hemstreet; and Alex Andrea, Sean, and Maxwell McNeil; and several nieces and nephews.

            Calling hours will be at the Stratton Air National Guard Base from 2 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, January 23.  A memorial service will be held at the base at 10 am on Thursday, January 24.  Mourners are asked to use the Maple Ave. entrance.  Base security will provide directions for parking.

            After the memorial service on Thursday, Gen. Hemstreet will be buried with full military honors at Elmwood Cemetery in Schaghticoke.  Memorial donations should be made to the Knickerbocker Historical Society, Inc., Box 29, Schaghticoke, NY 12154.

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HI I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS CHANCE AND THANK EVERYONE SO FAR DONATED MONEY TO THE STAN HEMSTREET MEMORIAL FUND OF THE KNICKERBOCKER HISTORICAL SIGHT IT MEANS A GRET DEAL TO ME AND THE FAMILY VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR APRESHATION TO GENERAL HEMSTREET AND GRAND FATHER  AND FATER . TO HIS GRAND KIDS AND KIDS. THANKS AGAIN SINCERLEY SUSAN LEE ISEMAN.

SUSAN ISEMAN,  CAMBRIDGE  NY,  12816

My prayers are with everyone in the family. It is so hard to believe that Uncle Stan is gone. But he did live a very wonderful life. If anyone needs anything let me know.

Love to all,

Patrick, Jessica and Tyler

Jessica Blanton, SC

Stan was a great leader. He always treated me with utmost courtesy when I flew into the Scoita ANGB ( I flew there in the 1960's in a T-33, then, later,  flew an A-10 in for an airshow). As a Stillwater boy, he always saw that I had "special" hometown service.

I respected him and looked up to him as a model during my Air Force career.

     Bob Lilac (retired USAF Colonel)

Bob Lilac,  Palm Desert,   CA, 92260

Dear Stana and Hemstreet Family: Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your father. I just happened to see the obituatry on the web site. I'm sure your large extended family share many wonderful memories to celebrate his life. It sounds like he accomplished a lot and was loved by many.

Sincerely,

Mick and Sue (Howes) Galuski

Susan Howes-Galuski,  Annapolis, MD    suegee1@comcast.net

Brig.Gen.Hemstreet hired me as the first C-130 pilot to join the 109th AW in Sept of 1970 when he was the Operations Group Commander.  From 1970 until he retired in 1985, he was like a father and mentor to me for those fifteen years, I will truly miss him.  My thoughts and prayers are with you Aileen and your family, Tom Noel.

Thomas (Tom) F. Noel,  Burnt Hills, New York, 12027-9706       tfnoel@aol.com 

To: Aileen, Steve & Family

   A great person, friend & neighbor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Vic & Ann Post,  Palm Coast,  Fl. 32137   vpostems@juno.com

On behalf of the 174th Fighter Wing Alumni Association, please accept our most sincere sympathies.

MSgt Rita Scheirer, 174th Alumni Assoc. President,  Syracuse, NY 13211  

Dear Hemstreet Family,

I took care of General Hemstreet a couple of times in the ED and found him to be a most engaging and upbeat man, even in the face of significant illness.  Please accept my condolences for your loss of this fine gentleman.

Sincerely,

Bob Holterman

Robert Holterman, MD,    St. Mary's Hospital ED

Dear Steve, Joanne, and Jacob:  

    From his many great accomplishments and contributions to the community, and even the world, your loss surely is shared by many.  My condolences and prayers to you and your family at this time.  Sincerely, Anna

Anna Dugan,  Albany, NY 12203     adugan@nycap.rr.com

To:  Hollie, Mike and all of the extended Hemstreet family,

Our thoughts are with you and your family at this tough time.  I only met the General once many years ago, and he was welcoming and gracious to me.  May your many memories sustain him.

Yours, Megan and family

Megan Burgess Korzeniecki,  Salem, NY 12865     meggonorth@hotmail.com

January 22, 2008

Although I met Mr. Hemstreet only a few times, until now I did not realize the scope of his accomplishments. Obviously he was a great man and a great American.

Sincerely,

Jay Miner  

Jay Miner,  Albany, New York   12205-1503    jayminer@aol.com

Perhaps just a simple headline

in a paper that would say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,

FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

JOHN FOX (TSGT. RET.),  REMSEN, NY  

Brig. Gen. Stan Hemstreet was not only the commander of the 109th Airlift Wing but was like a father to me. He was my mentor for fifteen years, from when he hired me in 1970 until he retired in 1985.  I will always remember him and  greatly miss him.  My prayers and thoughts are with him,his wife,Aileen and her family

Thomas (Tom) Noel, Burnt Hills, New York, 12027-9706   tfnoel @aol.com

  To the Hemstreet Family, I am very sorry for your loss of Stan, He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

From Dan, Donna & Frank Barnhart

Donna Barnhart,  Johnsonville, NY, 12094    donnabarnhart@wildblue.net

My dad and my husband knew him very well. They were in the fire company together. Our thoughts and prays are with you all. May god bless you and keep you.

patricia and nonna ruthosky,  glens falls, new york    psycowoman12801@aol.com

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