The Friends of Andersonville lost a dear and trusted friend when Steve Stanfield passed away on December 24, 2024 at the age of 77. Steve lived a life based on service to many noble causes, including the legacy of Andersonville National Historic Site.

Lieutenant Colonel Stanfield was born in Marietta, Ohio, but grew up mostly in Chamblee, Georgia. He attended Auburn University and was enrolled in Army ROTC. After graduating, he was commissioned as an Army officer and although he was a helicopter pilot; he was primarily in armor as a tank commander. He served many assignments, both in the US and overseas, in a career that spanned over 20 years. His last assignment was as Senior Military Instructor of the Army ROTC unit at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. Steve also was the Junior ROTC commander at Americus High School after his retirement from the Army. Steve said that was the most demanding job he ever had. In December 1969, Steve married Jeannie, who remained his lifelong partner for fifty-five years. They had two children, Cliff and Suzanne, and four grandchildren. Steve was active in Rotary International, serving as the President of the Americus Rotary Club and the District Governor. He also served as Chairman of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund, an organization similar to the Friends of Andersonville.

Steve became involved with the Friends when he established the DGR Group, an investment company. Following the establishment of the Andersonville Trust, DGR was selected to manage its funds. Steve and his partner, Lewis Webb, carefully guided our investments so that our fund could benefit the park but also to grow. Steve properly made sure that the Andersonville Trust would be managed in such a way that it was not in danger of suffering from the ups and downs of the market. Although Steve was not on the Board of Trustees, he always was engaged in our deliberations and offered input that was always welcomed. His work as a board member at the Warm Springs gave him insight that proved beneficial to our work at Andersonville.

Through our work to benefit Andersonville, Steve will be missed. But more importantly. He was a dear colleague to everyone on the Board of Trustees. Our lives are just a little emptier without him as a friend. On behalf of the Trustees of the Friends of Andersonville, our hearts go out to the Stanfield family in your time of grief.