Karl Stoltzfus Sr. ’72, founder of Dynamic Aviation, died Friday night after a severe battle with pancreatitis, according to the Bridgewater-based company. He was 80 years old.
Stoltzfus, a graduate of EMU’s business administration program, made so many significant contributions to his field that he was the recipient of the Virginia Department of Aviation’s 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2006, he was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame and earned the Businessman of the Year honor from the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. He also received the 2018 President’s Award from People to People International, an organization dedicated to peace-building through international partnerships.
Among other generous ties to EMU, Stoltzfus was especially helpful in providing counsel, connections and information in spring 2020 as university administrators worked to bring home the Guatemala cross-cultural group, trapped when the country’s major airport suddenly closed, according to President Susan Schultz Huxman.
Dynamic Aviation, founded in 1967, provides “special-mission aviation solutions for government and commercial organizations worldwide,” according to their website. It employs more than 750, owns over 140 aircraft, and operates from 18 locations in 11 countries across five continents.
Dynamic Aviation, founded in 1967, provides “special-mission aviation solutions for government and commercial organizations worldwide,” according to their website. It employs more than 750, owns over 140 aircraft, and operates from 18 locations in 11 countries across five continents.
In a Nov. 19 joint press event with the Governor’s Office, the company announced plans to invest $47.9 million to expand its operation in Rockingham County, in partnership with Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
His son and the company’s current president and CEO, Michael Stoltzfus, released a statement Saturday on the company’s Facebook page.
“His body fought vigorously, to the end, just as anyone who knew him would fully expect. And, just as we would imagine, he was fully prepared weeks ago in both mind and spirit to make his journey to join his Heavenly Father. Dad’s example throughout these last weeks was a beautiful testament to his ability to fight the good fight while simultaneously fully accepting God’s unexpected change of plans.”
Karl was an incredible entrepreneur who built a worldwide business, respected for its reliability, safety, and truly respecting the dignity of all persons. In addition to his business success, he gave generously to those in need, offering his aviation services free to many with special emergencies, as well as his philanthropic support of many good causes. It was an absolute honor to know and work with Karl. – Allon Lefever
Karl was a kind, gentle man-excelling in business and philanthropy.He was so generous-it was almost mind boggling- When he joined the MS Dinner of Champions,he apologized to my wife and I for waiting so long to be a part of the fight- My wife,Carol,a former EMC-U employee,was wheelchair bound because of the disease-
My God Bless his memory and our deepest condolences to his beautiful wife and wonderful family-
Mike & Carol Schikman
As one of the first employees of the forerunner of Dynamic Aviation, K & K Aircraft, I was touched by word of Karl’s passing. While we were all (with Karl’s brother Ken) students at EMC we worked out of a ‘retired ‘ chicken house in Parkview; among other things creating mockups such as an aircraft hydraulic system for use in aircraft mechanic schools. Another memory is his testimony that his back was healed and strengthened by agreeing that his work was devoted to the Lord. “You and I have this job to do” got the wheelbarrows of dirt moved one weekend. The irony that struck me was my recovery from pancreatitis about three months ago. God bless the heirs to his testimony.