Obituaries

Stanley Leroy Van Etten (1937–2026)

A life devoted to faith, scholarship, and the preservation of American sporting history

Stanley Leroy Van Etten, a minister, professor, publisher, and respected historian of American sporting culture, passed away on May 12, 2026. Born July 14, 1937, Stanley lived a life marked by service, intellectual curiosity, and a deep reverence for the artifacts and stories that shaped the nation.

Distinguished Academic Career

Stanley’s second calling was education—a field in which he left a lasting mark.

• English Professor, Auburn University He taught literature and composition with a blend of rigor and warmth, inspiring students to see language as both craft and calling.

• Chairman of Language Arts, Gulf Coast Community College now Gulf Coast State College As department chair, he shaped curriculum, mentored faculty, and championed the humanities as essential to a well formed life.

His students remember him as a patient teacher, a demanding editor, and a man who believed deeply in the transformative power of words.

Publisher, Historian & Curator of Americana

After retiring from academia, Stanley embarked on a remarkable second career—one that merged his love of history, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

Owner & Publisher of Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Magazine

For more than 20 years, Stanley served as publisher of Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Magazine, guiding it from a niche publication into a respected national resource for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts.

His work included:

• Documenting the history of American sporting culture

• Showcasing rare and significant artifacts

• Supporting collectors, authors, and researchers

• Preserving the stories behind early hunting and fishing tools, decoys, and sporting ephemera

Collector & Cultural Preservationist

Stanley’s personal collections reflected a lifetime of curiosity. His specialties included:

• Railroadiana

• Early American duck decoys

• Sporting ephemera

• Folk art and utilitarian Americana

He believed that every object carried a story—and he dedicated his life to ensuring those stories were not forgotten.

Ministerial Life

Stanley’s early calling led him to the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he earned two Master’s degree and PHD and began a lifelong commitment to ministry. He served faithfully as minister of Auburn's Village Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and started Westwood Christian Church in Pensacola, Florida guiding congregations with compassion, humility, and a scholar’s insight into scripture.

Family & Legacy

Stanley is survived by is beloved wife, Deborah Jones Van Etten, and by his sons:

• Stanley (Maria)

• John (Ruth)

• Thomas (Joyce)

• James (Michelle)

• Edward (Kimberly)

He is also remembered with love by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His legacy endures in the students he taught, the collectors he inspired, and the countless historical treasures he preserved for future generations.