He is survived by his loving wife, Martha M. Capling, of the family home, and son, Reid Capling, of Anchorage, Alaska; sister Sheila (Richard) Frezza, of Tennessee; brothers-in-law Carl (Patricia) Foe, of Pagosa Springs; and Eric Foe, of Harbor Beach, Mich.; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Capt. Leo E. Capling and Jean A. Capling.
Stuart graduated from Harbor Beach Community High School in Harbor Beach, Mich., in 1959, then received his BA (1963) and MSW (1967) from Michigan State University. Also in 1967, he married the former Martha M. Foe, a longtime sweetheart. He then began a long and successful career in administration with the Michigan Department of Social Services, from which he retired in 1996. During the course of his career, Stuart, Martha and Reid lived in several locations, where Stuart’s easy smile and outgoing personality resulted in the formation of many friendships.
An avid outdoorsman all his life, Stuart enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap/skeet shooting and skiing, becoming a member of the National Ski Patrol. Golf was his favorite lifelong pastime.
After retirement, Stuart and Martha moved to Pagosa Springs, where they lived for 10 years until relocating to Las Cruces, N.M., in 2006.
Cremation will take place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Mesilla Valley Hospice at 299 E. Montana Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005, or to the Northern New Mexico Senior Men’s Golf Association Scholarship Fund at NNMSMGA, 60 El Rio Drive, Alamosa, CO 81101.
