One of a Kind
Unique
Words that don’t come close to describing John Stamberg. From his birth on 5/23/43 he walked the earth until 2/27/26 with an unceasing curiosity about anything scientific, mathematical and mechanical. His journey began in Moscow Idaho where he was born. From there he went to Wisconsin where he started his education on a one room schoolhouse without indoor plumbing – only an outhouse. Then it was to several towns in Illinois where he majored in being a rascal.
His family finally settled in Silver Spring Maryland for his last year of high school where he met his future wife Elena. Barely graduating from high school he signed himself into classes at Montgomery Junior College (now known as Montgomery College). Then he went on to University of Maryland for a BS in Civil Engineering. He was offered a fellowship to Stanford University which paid for his tuition and living expenses and earned his MS in Sanitary Engineering (now known as Environmental Engineering). He graduated at the top of his class at all three institutions.
In 1968 he and Elena married and eventually had two children, Ingrid and Hans. His career blossomed from working at Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant in Washington DC to establishing Energy Ventures Analysis, his own consulting engineering firm with a few partners, where he frequently worked for Fortune 500 companies throughout the country. He was the lead engineer in designing the Sparta Re-use Facility in West Monroe Louisiana which converts sewage to drinking quality water. This project received numerous awards including President Obama’s Champions of Change Award. He was a partner in Virginia Vermiculite, a company that mines vermiculite, and designed the plant which processes the vermiculite.
He had an uncanny ability to simplify complex issues down to basic science to find solutions. Sometimes the solutions were thought to be strange but they usually worked.
His job was interesting but it was a means to support his family and make life easier. His driving interest was antique cars, amassing a collection of approximately 70 cars through the years. Using every excuse possible to add another car to his collection he once used the excuse that he bought a battery and the car came with it.
He and Elena went on their honeymoon to Florida in his 1936 Plymouth which he also drove across the country when he went to Stanford. His children came home from the hospital in a pink 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood. His cars were in several movies, some were fully pictured and then there was the famous fender. His favorite cars were 1915 Moline Knight, 1924 Chrysler, 1921 Stanley Steamer and his first car, a 1930 Dodge sedan.
Aside from all the stuff that looks good on paper John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, always participating in our family life, never missing a birthday, a football game, a hockey game, a dirt track race or any family gathering. He was honest, faithful, loving, steadfast and fiercely devoted to his family. His passing has left a huge hole in the lives of his daughter and husband, Ingrid Stamberg and Joey Ryall, his son and wife, Hans and Barbara Stamberg, and his three grandsons, Canton, Gunnar and Anakin Ryall, and his wife of 58 years Elena with whom he shared a sweet life.
A gathering to remember, honor and celebrate John’s life is planned for May 16, 2026.
Contact estamberg@protonmail.com for information.
From: Steve Thumb
I had the pleasure to work with John for 20 years. His help in getting my consulting practice started was invaluable. John could engage a truck driver who lived on the road, as well as a professor who lived in an ivory tower, and clients loved the information he garnered from both. In several areas we were like to peas in a pod.
With respect to the cars, I loved discussing his interactions with Jay Leno (i.e., a real car buff) and his participation in parades with his Stanley Steamer. Of all his cars my favorites were the black British-type Checker Cab and the three 1956 Chevys. Lastly, if it hadn't been for John, I would never have gotten an old Jeep Wrangler, which enabled me to feel like a teenager at age 70.
I have missed John since the day he retired from EVA and now I'm going to miss him even more.
From: Seth Schwartz
John was a mentor, friend, and partner for almost 40 years. He had an amazing work career, as head of EPA's wastewater research department when the country was cleaning up our rivers, then as a partner at a pioneering environmental consulting firm, Energy and Environmental Analysis, before partnering in a new consulting firm in 1981, Energy Ventures Analysis, where he worked until he retired. John was an engineer's engineer - there was no area of engineering science (mechanical, chemical, biological, structural) that John could not analyze, explain, and develop simple, effective, and economic solutions for clients. He was the best boss to have - he always said that he wanted to hire people who were smarter than he was (hard to do) and would achieve more than he did. John was always generous with his time and energy for his team and his clients. There was nothing that John could not fix with his own hands, including remodeling an old barn into the house his family lived in for almost 50 years. His love of old cars was legendary, and his passion was not how they looked, but how they worked mechanically. John would carry a wad of cash in case he saw an old car and wanted to buy it on the spot; then he would fix it up at his farm. Most of all, John was fun and funny. He made it enjoyable to work hard and had the best sense of humor. Just a great person.
From: Jay Miller
I did not have the good fortune to meet John but as a fellow member of a club to which John belonged, I send his family my condolences and a true hope that the tears will turn to smiles on the loving memory of your dear John.
From: Susan McVey
Your family is in our prayers during this time of loss and sorrow. Wishing you peace during this incredibly difficult time.
From: Jordan OBoyle
John will be deeply missed by me and by my students. He played an important role in helping them refine how they presented their knowledge about the effects of offshore wind. John’s dedication to calculating, researching, and sharing the true facts created a ripple effect—one that inspired my students to educate citizens across the country, be recognized by BOEM, and engage with multiple government bodies. Through his guidance and example, John helped empower high school juniors to stand up for what is ethical and right. Although John’s living conscience is no longer with us, his spirit and legacy continue to live on through the young people he inspired. His influence will keep fueling others to seek truth and stand up for what is right.
From: The Hilton Family
Our deepest condolences to your family.
From: Michael W Riebe
Dear Elena, Ingrid and Joey, Hans and Barbara and Family Please accept my sincere condolences. John was truly unique. I came to know John and his family through the National Chrysler Products Club at our National Meets back in the 1980's. At the meet, besides the Classic Automobile Show was the ''Evening Fun Auction'' held in ''The Banquet Room''. For many years, John was the Auctioneer! John with his antics, made it fun. A first-time visitor, however, might think he walked into a comedy club or antique store! If a 1937 Dodge hubcap would not get any bidders, John would quickly pick up a Hoover vacuum cleaner and a framed portrait of ''FDR'' from the 1940's to add to the deal... Sold! It was always fun to watch happy customers proudly walk out of the Ballroom with their newly acquired bumper jack, chrome hood ornament that lights up from a 1948 Plymouth, a wooden box full of carburetors from the 1950's, a carton of license plates from the 1940's, or a fringed hula-girl lamp one husband bided for his wife! With John at the microphone, everything sold to happy customers that didn't even realize they needed the items. Dear John, you were the best! In recent years John had interest to drive up to an event put on by our Nostalgic Chrysler Products Club, New Jersey Shore Region in Toms River. Our club presented John with a special trophy for his amazing 1924 Chrysler with a chromed radiator cap with the Chrysler wings. John, may you enjoy driving in your winged chariot forever. Michael Riebe and fellow members of... Nostalgic Chrysler Products Club, NJ Shore Region
From: Kitty Cooley
Elena, Greta, Ingrid, Hans and all the family; We pray you find peace during this time.
From: Terry Emory
We've all been talking. Everyone in West Monroe. Smartest man we ever met. He was my greatest mentor and second daddy when mine died. Greatest man I ever met. We always talked about kids. He was so so proud of his family.
From: Elena Moore
Mr. Stamberg was such a fun and amazing guy. Always loved visiting the farm with Ingrid. Sending prayers to the family.
From: Bruce Mazzie
We will miss this talented and special man who was often the first to help others. God Bless John's family. Bruce Mazzie