ForeverMissed
Large image

This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Stanley Schaetzel, 90, born on June 30, 1924 and passed away on March 21, 2015. We will remember him forever.

November 28, 2019
November 28, 2019
I'm a relative from Stan .
During the war his mother had been living with my mother and grand mother in Aix les Bains .
since their stay in Aix we didn'd receive any news.
I know that both brohers were dead but perhaps their family could send us some news .
Marie irene Hicter / Kopczynska
July 1, 2019
July 1, 2019
Your birthday yesterday reminded me how young you were when you walked out of Poland long ago. Since then I've learned much about your career and life in Melbourne and Sydney. And I know I'm not the only one thinking of you...your dear wife Maude doesn't stop thinking of 'her Stan'.
So your GAF friends are working to record your eventful career because your role was key to much of the technical achievements in the years to 1971.
March 22, 2019
March 22, 2019
Thinking of you Stan. I love how you used to run around enthusiastically helping Maude and others. I miss seeing you in your slippers. You always had a smile on your face and great stories to tell.
March 21, 2016
March 21, 2016
We are thinking of you and Maud on the first anniversary of your passing.
The Cliffords
May 5, 2015
May 5, 2015
I only knew Stan as a neighbour, but even in that capacity it was clear he was a thoughtful, smart and kind man. He will be missed.
April 29, 2015
April 29, 2015
Stan was the champion of innovation and space projects at HDH. I had the privilege of leading a small group of space enthusiasts set up by Stan. Under Stan’s leadership we were involved in a wide range of space related projects from small science experiments which flew on the Space Shuttle. Studies for small satellites, the 'Starlab Project’ and in collaboration with others, studies of launch vehicles of potential launch sites in Australia. Stan was always enthusiastic, supportive and encouraging of our efforts. I have memories of some exhilarating drives with Stan at the wheel and outings in the company boat with overseas visitors. A very exciting period being involved in the wide gamut of space projects thanks to Stan’s leadership.
April 22, 2015
April 22, 2015
It was a privilege to have become a good friend of Stan over the past 10 years. I had known of Stan through my own association with the space industry in OTC, then AUSSAT and later as a consultant however my first memory of Stan as a friend was observing him climbing a ladder to fix an awning at his then new home. Stan could turn his hand to anything, from aeroplanes to clay kilns!! Stan had enormous energy and I later became aware that that energy was particularly in intellectual pursuits. I didn’t understand the breadth of that intellectual capacity until much later in our friendship. Certainly as fellow engineers, with a common interest in the space industry and a mutual concern about the demise of Australia’s industrial capacity, particularly in the application of advanced engineering skills, we had some fascinating discussions. Stan was rightly proud of his contributions to the Australian aerospace industry albeit frustrated by the missed opportunities for which he had developed a foundation. Stan was also proud of his Polish heritage and how his intellect, determination and energy had enabled his achievements throughout his life. An immensely resourceful engineer, Stan was able to gain the support of Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen to the idea of developing a space launch capability on Cape York unfortunately support from other influential stakeholders was not forthcoming or was divided. Frustration at lack of support for an ongoing aerospace industry in Australia didn’t dampen Stan’s creativity and thinking skills. He wrote on a diversity of topics, some books I only became aware of since he passed away. He had almost as many manuscripts of unpublished works. Stan was a private person and had I been aware sooner of some of his thinking and the books he had written they would have formed great conversation pieces. Stan enjoyed a game of chess for which he exhibited a remarkable sharpness of mind until the last weeks of his life. I feel privileged to have known Stan, my only regret is that I didn’t get to know him better during his life.
April 21, 2015
April 21, 2015
For ten years Stan and I played chess every Friday,alternating between our respective homes.Not only was Stan a passionate competitor,but we shared many ideas on a wide range of ideas,from politics to cosmology,and all the soft stuff in between.I will miss your keen intellect
and passion Stan,and I will never again find such an interesting friend.
I am grateful for your friendship and will always remember our many interesting talks.I also remember the many wonderful dinner parties that Maude and Stan hosted for their friends,
Rest in peace Stan and thank you for the memories.
John and Regina
April 19, 2015
April 19, 2015
If Stan had lived his childhood in Australia he would have been called a (benevolent) larrikin. Always on the go, never stationary. I was associated with Stan throughout his days at Government Aircraft Factories and later when he was the Technical Director of HdH. Always inspired and a great mentor. A couple of stories:
He is remembered for is act at Woomera of driving across the gravel towards of the test building wall, pulling the hand break on turning the ignition off and stepping out while the car was still sliding to a halt until one day the car stopped at about two feet to late.
.. In the early 70's I took two gyroscopes to HdH to have them checked after a UAV failure caused by a faulty gyro. John Marsh had recently left ARL to join Stan at HdH and John insisted I stay at his home over night rather than a motel. Over dinner I asked John why he gave up a principle scientist position to join Stan . John said " I rather work for a mad man any day rather than continue under DoD bureaucracy" 
Australian aerospace would be much better today if the "system"had valued Stan AND people like him appropriately.
April 19, 2015
April 19, 2015
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has advised its Fellows of the sad death of Mr Stan Schaetzel.

Stan had been a Fellow of the Academy since 1977.

Fellows were aware that he had a long history in the aeronautical industry after arriving in Australia in 1950, serving with the Government Aircraft Factories in the 1960s and later becoming Chief Designer and then Technical Director of Hawker de Havilland.

The Academy will publish a tribute to Stan in the June issue of its Magazine ATSE Focus which will be available mid-June 2105
April 16, 2015
April 16, 2015
Stan was a wonderful Neighbour and a kind and caring man. His enthusiasm for life was inspiring. His love for others including Maude and his passion will always survive and be remembered. Rest in peace and happiness. You will be missed and left in our hearts and memories forever.
April 16, 2015
April 16, 2015
Stan was one of the most intelligent and interesting men I have met. He became more a family member than a neighbour.

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
November 28, 2019
November 28, 2019
I'm a relative from Stan .
During the war his mother had been living with my mother and grand mother in Aix les Bains .
since their stay in Aix we didn'd receive any news.
I know that both brohers were dead but perhaps their family could send us some news .
Marie irene Hicter / Kopczynska
July 1, 2019
July 1, 2019
Your birthday yesterday reminded me how young you were when you walked out of Poland long ago. Since then I've learned much about your career and life in Melbourne and Sydney. And I know I'm not the only one thinking of you...your dear wife Maude doesn't stop thinking of 'her Stan'.
So your GAF friends are working to record your eventful career because your role was key to much of the technical achievements in the years to 1971.
March 22, 2019
March 22, 2019
Thinking of you Stan. I love how you used to run around enthusiastically helping Maude and others. I miss seeing you in your slippers. You always had a smile on your face and great stories to tell.
Recent stories

Stan and Maude Shaetzel

January 9, 2023
I grew up in the 80s at Stan & Maude's house. The Schaetzel's were close with my parents Marilyn and Peter Smith and we had Wednesday night dinner with them every week. My farger and Stan were work collegues but it extended FAR beyind that. I remember they threw the most wonderful parties with Maude's cumquat brandy (not for me of course) and i remember Maude's incredible and eccentric pottery and the odd little Polish lady Helen who lived in the granny flat for some years.
They were such a wonderful part of my childhood and our families lives. 
Does anyone know if Maude is still alive? I know she'd be late 80s or so now. I'd love to know as i think fondly of those times often.

Samantha Schulz nee Smith

Aircraft model at photo 1

July 1, 2019

The model is of the Turana drone that Stan initiated while at GAF. The project started 1969 and flew in 1972. Mal Crozier (formerly GAF)

The Great Escape

April 17, 2015

I will always remember Princess the Poodle escaping from the house and all the neighbours racing around the street trying to catch her. She only got caught when she got tired of the game!

Invite others to Stanley's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline