John Martin Stockdale was born in Estherville, Iowa, to Lloyd and Aline Stockdale on July 21, 1923. He died on Friday, January 31, 2014, at his home in the loving care of his family. A third generation Iowan, Dr. Stockdale grew up in a little town where he acquired the open and warm manner to which so many people were drawn. He attended Carlton College until 1942 when he enlisted in the army. A reluctant hero, during his "walk from Paris to Berlin" he was wounded crossing the Rhine River at St Gore; later his unit liberated the Ohrdruf concentration camp in Poland. After the war John completed college and married Helen Sarett on February 14, 1948. They returned to Estherville where John became a partner in the insurance business with his father and brother. In 1965 Dr. Stockdale and his family moved to Iowa City where he completed his PhD in insurance and Finance at the University of Iowa. In 1969 the family migrated to Sacramento where Dr. Stockdale taught at CSU, Sacramento until his retirement in 1987. During his tenure, he was essential in the development of the Insurance curriculum. He taught as a Professor Emeritus until 1993. Dr. Stockdale devoted himself to his students and was a masterful teacher. He later enjoyed a second career as an expert in insurance and economic damages in personal injury cases. John loved trains and he and the family enjoyed traveling the country on elegant passenger trains. His love of everything trains led him to become an expert modeler; he knew every train on every track around the world. John also loved to dine, particularly on ocean liners surrounded by his family. John was a scratch golfer as a young man, teaching himself the game with the help of only a mirror and a Ben Hogan book. He played to a single digit handicap for most of his playing career. He was a long time member of Del Paso Country Club. He is survived by his wife Helen, his three children, Lloyd, Mary, and Jane and his brother, Jerry. Also surviving him are a loving and devoted extended family and a host of dear friends. Dr. Stockdale was preceded in death by his sister, Jane. The family wishes to thank John's loving caregivers who helped all of us in John's last days. Services for Dr. Stockdale will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 2140 Mission Avenue, Carmichael. Interment will follow at East Lawn Sierra Hills cemetery at 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento. Charitable donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice .