NAFEPA Condolences to the Family and Friends of Stanley McFarland

We were saddened to hear of the death of Stanley McFarland, NAFEPA’s one and only executive director. A leader in federal education and legislation for many years, Mr. McFarland died of congestive heart failure on April 6, 2008 in Rockville, Maryland. Memorial services were held on April 28.

Mr. McFarland came to work for NAFEPA in the early years of the organization and served as its Washington D. C. leader from 1985 to 2000. Prior to his involvement with NAFEPA, Mr. McFarland was director of government relations and chief lobbyist for the National Education Association (NEA) and was a great supporter for the creation of the U.S. Education Department. The Washington Post stated the following about Stan McFarland in its obituary of April 23, 2008:

In 1979, Mr. McFarland worked closely with the Carter administration and led a broad coalition of education groups in the successful effort to establish the Education Department. Former vice president Walter F. Mondale told the McFarland family in a note that Mr. McFarland always thought that the department could be created despite strong opposition. "But thanks to Stan, we mounted an effective campaign to persuade the Congress that our school children deserved the high priority attention that only a cabinet officer could provide," Mondale stated.

Many NAFEPA members have fond memories of Stan McFarland, and we send our condolences to his family—his wife, Nancy, children, Jeff and Rebecca, his brothers, grandchildren, great grandson, and his many friends.

It is the desire of the McFarland family that donations in Stan’s memory be made to the NAFEPA scholarship in the name of Stanley McFarland. This is the 7th year that the Stanley McFarland scholarship has been awarded $1,500. It is a fitting tribute to an educational leader.