Spring 2009 - Lancaster Mennonite School

ALUMNI FEATUREA passion for learningKarl Stoltzfus claims there are fewgifts in life more beneficial thanintellectual curiosity.That, explained the 1958 LMS graduate,is what transformed him from anunmotivated high school student intothe owner of a worldwide aviation businesswhose clients include federal, stateand local governments; private corporations;and non-profit research organizationsthat bring him in contact withsome of the leading scientists in theworld. Stoltzfus described that journeyrecently.After high school, Stoltzfus becameinvolved in his father’s Coatesville aviationbusiness that involved aerialspraying, aircraft parts, etc. But by age25 he was desperate to learn more aboutthe world, not just aviation. Two yearslater found Stoltzfus and his twinbrother, Ken, enrolled at Eastern MennoniteUniversity (EMU) where Stoltzfuscompleted a degree in businessadministration. It took him five years,however, since he also packed in asmany psychology courses as he could.“It was kind of a maturationprocess,” he said. “College was a wonderfulexperience for me.”To make money during college heand Ken set up a company calledK & K Aircraft in which they boughtand sold airplane parts. After college,when Ken went into church ministry,Stoltzfus bought his brother’s part ofthe business and created Dynamic Aviation,an international company thatoperates over 70 multi-engine turbineaircraft in nine countries and providesthe following services:• aerial spraying• sterile insect technique (releasingsterilized medicated fruit files tosave the citrus industry in the LosAngles basin)• fire management• Airborne Data Acquisition (ADA) -photography services• Intelligence Surveillance andReconnaissance for the U.S.Department of DefenseBeing the owner of an internationalbusiness has allowed Stoltzfus to travelthe world and meet a wide varietyof business persons, feedingright into what he describes as his“incredible passion for learning.”“I’m still learning,” said Stoltzfus,an avid reader of history.“Right now I’m studying Germanhistory and just loving it.”With such an appreciation forintellectual stimulus, it is not surprisingthat a recent visit withLMS Superintendent RichardThomas left him feeling prettypumped up. During the visit,Thomas talked about how theschool encourages students tothink critically and globally sothey can learn to think for themselvesand respect the differencesof others.“Based on my personal worldviewI could not imagine a K thru 12th gradeprogram that would better equip a personto be prepared to face the realitiesof the world we live in than the LMSprogram,” Karl said. “I had no idea.It really got me excited about LMS.”Karl and his wife, Barbara, whograduated from LMS in 1959, live inMt. Crawford, Virginia, and attend FirstPresbyterian Church where Karl is atrustee. They have three children—Karl, Jr., who operates an aviation partscompany in Weyers Cave, Virginia;Michelle, a full-time mother in Nairobi,Kenya; and Michael, who is presidentand CEO of his dad’s family-ownedaviation company. All three childrengraduated from Eastern MennoniteHigh School.How LMS has impacted whoI am todayThe values of honesty and integritylearned at LMS have been a a tremendousbenefit to me in both my personaland business experience. Our companydoes business all over the world andthose values are one of the major reasonsfor our success.In addition, being taught a lot aboutthe Bible and God’s plan for our livesgave me a great spiritual foundation.Most important was the encouragementto continually grow in my walk withKarl Stoltzfus, 1958. PHOTO: DENISE SAUDERChrist. LMS kept me on the straightand narrow at a time in life when itwould have been easy for me to headin an unhealthy direction.My favorite LMS teacherI don’t recall having a favorite, but I amvery thankful for English teacher SadieYost who was a stickler for accuracy.Today everything is about accuracy.That is huge in the business world.Words of wisdom to currentstudentsThere are things more important thangetting straight A’s. There is absolutelyno substitute for intellectual curiosityand emotional intelligence. Ask questions!Learn how to be intuitive. Andlearn how to be empathetic with others.Also, learn the value of integrity andhonesty. Do what you say you will do,and treat others with respect. These valuesprobably bring as much business toour company as anything.Third, if you don’t know what you’lldo after high school, don’t worry aboutit. Take some time out before college ifyou need to. Be patient with yourself. ■14 BRIDGES • SPRING 2009